Luzerne County is located in the east-central region of Pennsylvania. Its three population centers - Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, and Pittston - when combined with the nearby Berwick region, make up the largest population density in Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. At the same time, the area has the eighth lowest crime rate out of 329 U.S. metropolitan areas.

Residents enjoy the convenience of direct access to Interstates 81 and 476 (the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike) which interconnect with nearby I-80, I-84 and I-380. This means you can be in downtown Philadelphia and New York City in 2 hours or less!

Click here for more maps of the Penn's Northeast region.

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Who says you can't have it all in life? Definitely not Luzerne County residents. Because the plain fact is, if you live here, you're near or have easy access to just about everything modern America has to offer. We realize that's no small claim but we're ready to back it up.

Our county is situated within a 500-mile radius of approximately one-third of the nation's population, representing 40% of the effective buying power in the United States. Yet, housing costs remain well below comparable Northeast metropolitan areas.

A growing number of shopping, cultural and recreational facilities offer residents a variety of accessible away-from-work activities. These include ski resorts, nationally recognized golf courses, a Triple A baseball team, an AHL hockey team, an international raceway which hosts NASCAR, SCCA and IMSA racing and a harness racing track. The county's abundant state and local parks are ideal for hiking and fishing. The First Union Arena, the Kirby Center for Performing Arts, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic and several theatres, museums, libraries and art galleries further enrich the region's quality of life.

And, if you're concerned about education or healthcare - don't be. Luzerne County has healthcare facilities and educational opportunities that rival the best in the country.

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Let's see… The First Union Arena at Casey Plaza (home of AHL hockey, arena football, concerts, circus events, business shows and more!), 42 golf courses (with several listed among the country's best), 16 major parks, 106 playgrounds, 112 outdoor tennis courts, 17 Pocono Mountain ski resorts, Pocono Downs harness racing, the Pocono International Raceway which hosts NASCAR, SCCA, and IMSA racing. Whew! No matter what you do to have fun and relieve stress, Luzerne County is the place to be.

From our state parks and game lands, lakes, ponds and streams to many of our neighborhoods and own backyards, natural beauty can be found everywhere.

Basically, this means our residents can hike, bike, camp, hunt, boat, ski, sled, golf, skydive, skate, swim, cheer and play without going out of their way to do it.

Like sports? Then check out the hottest hockey ticket in town - the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. An AHL farm team of the Pittsburgh Penguins, our Penguins managed to make it to the Calder Cup Finals in only their second year of existence. If you like baseball, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (a minor league club of the Philadelphia Phillies) are just a short drive away. Football fans won't be left out, either, now that Arenafootball II has come to town. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers are sure to add sizzle to the sports scene.

Luzerne County also offers countless amateur and recreational sports leagues, along with ice skating rinks, whitewater rafting, racing and horseback riding.

And for those who enjoy culture and the arts, we boast a variety of offerings, including symphony, ballet, art galleries, theatrical and musical groups, ethnic and community festivals and numerous libraries and museums.

Various Nearby Events and Facilities

• Back Mountain Enduro Riders
• Drifton Sports Complex/NASF
• Eckley Miner's Village
• F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
• Greater Hazleton Historical Society Museum
• Kirby Park
• Music Box Dinner Theater
• Nescopeck State Park
• Northeastern PA Philharmonic
• Pocono Downs
• Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre Red Barons Baseball
• Ricketts Glen State Park
• Stoney Acres Winery
• Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
• Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers

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Luzerne County can lay claim to an extensive array of high-quality health care resources:

The Greater Hazleton Health Alliance

In 1996, Hazleton's two hospitals, Hazleton General and Hazleton-St. Joseph Medical Center joined together to form the non-profit Greater Hazleton Health Alliance. Recently, Hazleton General and Hazleton-St. Joseph Medical Center were respectively renamed the Broad Street Campus and Church Street Campus. Together, both campuses of the Alliance include a full range of services and a medical staff of more than 100 physicians, trained in a wide variety of specialties.

Broad Street Campus - a 160 licensed-bed facillity, this campus offers a newly renovated intensive care unit and 20-bed inpatient mental health unit. Other patient services include: Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, Operating Room, Post Anesthesia Recovery Unit, Short Stay Surgery, Endoscopy Unit, Pulmonary Disease Clinic, Oncology Unit, Adult Inpatient Mental Health Unit and Medical, Surgical, Pediatric and Isolation Care.

Church Street Campus - a ministry of the Bernadine Franciscan Sisters, the campus includes an 111-bed acute care facility. Clinical areas have been identified based on clients' needs, diagnosis, specialized treatments and acuity of illness. Inpatient Care Units include: Intensive Care Unit, Obstetrics Department, Telemetry Unit and Skilled Care Unit.

Each campus is proud to provide state-of-the art services, award-winning programs and community health education.

Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center

(GWV) is located in Wilkes-Barre and is an integral part of the Geisinger Health System. Some of GWV's impressive services include a new $14.9 million heart facility and a radiology department that features the world's first production model of a new tilting catheterization table.

Mercy Hospital

The hospital continues today as a not-for-profit institution that strives to embrace the highest values: excellence, human dignity, justice, mercy, sacredness of life, and service. The $18.5 million Outpatient Center at Mercy is the first in Northeastern Pennsylvania to address the need for a state-of-the-art facility dedicated entirely to the comprehensive delivery of outpatient services.

Wyoming Valley Health Care System

Founded in 1992 with the merger of Nesbitt Memorial Hospital and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, today Wyoming Valley Health Care System comprises Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, a 478-bed inpatient, acute care hospital; Behavioral Health Services, which provides comprehensive psychiatric and substance abuse care; Heritage House, a private long-term care facility; Rural Health Corporation, which offers primary and preventive medical and dental services to residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania; United Health and Hospital Services, providing practical training for physicians as well as provides for the medically under-served in our region; and the Visiting Nurse Association, which offers skilled nursing services to home-bound patients.

With over 3,400 employees and a medical staff of nearly 450 physicians covering almost 50 specialties, and sophisticated specialized care - such as that offered at the Heart and Vascular Institute at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and Nesbitt Women's and Children's Center at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital - Wyoming Valley Health Care System is the most comprehensive integrated health care provider in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

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One of the most important concerns in our nation today involves the education of our children. Luzerne County has a long-standing tradition in providing the best in education and our commitment in this area remains as strong as ever.

Greater Wilkes-Barre

The Greater Wilkes-Barre area is served by an excellent public school system that includes ten school districts with a total enrollment of 31,203. While each public school district has its own elected school board, all belong to the Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18, which provides consultative, technical, supportive and educational services, as well as liaison with the State Board of Education in Harrisburg. All area schools have computer training as part of their curriculum.

Hazleton

Hazleton boasts one of the most highly advanced school districts in the nation, having just undergone a major $75 million renovation and technology program.

There are also many outstanding private and parochial educational choices available here, as well.

When it comes to higher education, Luzerne County can claim a number of excellent colleges and universities.

Colleges and Universities

• College Misericordia
• King's College
• Luzerne County Community College
• Pennnsylvania State University- Hazleton Campus
• Pennnsylvania State University- Wilkes-Barre Campus
• Wilkes University

There are numerous highly respected and nationally recognized colleges and universities that exist throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. Most of these work closely with area employers to develop customized job training and continuing education programs and are a convenient commute for those who live in Luzerne County

Click here for detailed information on the higher educational opportunities available throughout the Penn's Northeast region.

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The extraordinary character and quality of our workforce has been lauded time and time again by employers who do business here.

Our workforce size, coupled with competitive costs and strong work ethic are just a few of the reasons why so many companies are looking to Luzerne County as a potential home.

A vast majority of Luzerne County's high school students enter college or other post-graduate programs, helping to ensure that companies have access to an educated and highly-skilled workforce that is young enough to form long-lasting and loyal ties to their employers.

Major Industries
Manufacturing
Retail Trade

Largest Private Employers
Altadis USA
Bemis Co., Inc.
Best Foods Baking Co.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of NEPA
Boscov's
Bradley Caldwell Supply Co
Bridon American Corp
Cable Equipment & Service Co.
Caradon Mideast Aluminum, Div Caradon Indalex
Certain Teed Corp.
CHS Berwick Health Care Corporation
Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises
DeAngelo Brothers
Excel Corporation
Fabri Kal Corporation
Hazleton Standard Speaker
Hershey Foods Corporation
Hilton Reservations Worldwide
HPG International Inc
InterMetro Industries Corp (HQ)
International Paper
Kama Corp.
Kraft Foods/Sathers Division
Keystone Automotive Warehouse
Keystone Coca-Cola Bottling Co
Lutheran Welfare
Nabisco, Inc.
OfficeMax
Offset Paperback Mfr Inc, Div Bergelsman Corp
Pillsbury
Plainwell Tissue
PPL Susquehanna Steam Electric
Pride Mobility Products Inc
Quebecor World Hazleton Inc.
Sallie May
Schott Glass Technologies Inc (HQ)
Sears Logistics Services
Techneglas
Trans. Refrigerated Lines
Trion Industries Inc
Truth Hardware
United Parcel Service
U.S. Food Service
Verizon
White Cap Inc

Job Training and Business Development

There are a number of job training and funding programs available for Luzerne County. For more information, contact our local industrial development corporation or click here.

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When it comes to assisting companies looking to expand or relocate in Luzerne County, you can bet that they're going to get a whole lot of help finding the perfect spot and working the best financial deal possible! That's because we're committed to ensuring non-stop economic growth in our county and the prosperity that comes with it.

The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry

One of the best kept secrets in the United States, Greater Wilkes-Barre is positively the right place to be for business - and the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber is the organization there to help businesses grow in the region. New community amenities… Thousands of new jobs created over the past fifteen years… Growing business parks…. Initiatives underway to make the community even better…

These are among the many reasons that the Greater Wyoming Valley area was selected as the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry's Outstanding Pennsylvania Community for 2001. Recent community achievements have included the completion of the First Union Arena at Casey Plaza, major transportation system improvements, substantial growth and expansion of area business parks, and total job creation efforts, which have brought in over 17,000 jobs over the past 15 years - from well-known firms including travelocity.com, Quaker Oats, Sallie Mae, Fairchild Semiconductor, to name a few. Visit our website to find out more about our growing community and utilize our searchable real estate/property database.

For more information, call 800-331-0912 or visit www.wilkes-barre.org

The Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce was incorporated in 1920 and celebrated its 82nd anniversary in 2002.

Pittston Area Industrial Development (P.A.I.D.), the sister organization of the Chamber, serves as the industrial arm encompassing the Greater Pittston Area.

The Chamber is a voluntary organization of business, professional and civic interests in the Greater Pittston area that is committed to working with leaders in government, business and education to improve life in the area.

Chamber staff are always available to help businesses succeed. Not only does the Chamber give advice and recommendations on developing new business, current trends and issues, but they offer single source or industrial authority financing.

For more information call 570-655-1424 or visit www.pittstonchamber.org.

City of Hazleton's Office of Community and Economic Development

For years, Hazleton has attracted top-notch industries based on its access to major highways, a dedicated work force, a low cost of living and a high quality of life.

In addition to assisting businesses with obtaining low interest loans from the City's portfolio, this office also maintains contacts and can make referrals to other low-interest loan providers. The City is an integral part of a region-wide network of economic development and business retention service providers.

For more information, call 570-459-4947 or visit www.hazletoncity.org

CAN DO, Inc.

With 45 years of experience in the economic development arena, CAN DO knows what today's businesses need to succeed and works diligently to make expansion or relocation as easy as possible.

Major companies have benefited from CAN DO's expertise and dedicated team of economic development experts, who can help businesses with everything from selecting a site and establishing infrastructure to finding available funding sources, providing detailed market and workforce surveys and so much more.

Manufacturing, distribution, white collar, high-tech... No matter what a company's needs, CAN DO has a history of delivering the specialized industrial parks that fit the bill. These include subdivided lots with to-the-curb electric, telecommunications, gas and sewage hookups already in place.

With more than 300 projects undertaken (company relocations, building construction, industrial park improvement) and more than 100 companies located in all of it's parks and related properties, CAN DO has proven itself as the "one-stop shop" for businesses and industries looking for a place to call home.

And once a company moves here, they can rely on lasting support as CAN DO continues to help with business expansion needs, new facility requirements and job creation/retention strategies.

Many major national firms have benefited from CAN DO's expertise when they chose to locate in the Hazleton area.

For more information call 570-455-1508 or visit www.hazletoncando.com

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Easy access to many transportation systems makes Luzerne County an attractive area, not only for residents but for businesses too.

Airports
Luzerne County is close to two major airports:

• Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport - about 30 min.
• Lehigh Valley International Airport - about 1 hr.

Highways
Direct access to Interstate 81 and I-476 (the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike) which interconnect with nearby I-80, I-84, and I-380.

Bus Lines
Martz Trailways, Susquehannah Transit Co. and Greyhound provide service with 31 regularly scheduled daily trips including eight to New York and Philadelphia, and one to Atlantic City.

Railways
Service includes two Class I railroads - Norfolk Southern and Canadian Pacific - plus feeder service from the Luzerne County Rail Authority and the Reading, Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad. County mass transit serves a 25-mile radius of Wilkes-Barre with a central hub in the city.

Ports
If you want or need to travel by water, the four ports of Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore and Erie are also within a reasonable distance.

Click here for more information on transportation.

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Power
PG Energy, Inc.
PPL Electric Utilities
UGI Utilities, Inc

Telecommunications
Verizon
Commonwealth Telephone Company

Click here for more information on utilities.

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