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.

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. 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 nearby Triple A baseball team, an AHL hockey team and a harness racing track.

The county's abundant state and local parks are ideal for hiking and fishing. The Wachovia Arena, the Kirby Center for Performing Arts and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic 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… Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza (home of AHL hockey, arena football, concerts, circus events, business shows and more!), over 40 golf courses (with several listed among the country's best), nearby Pocono Mountain ski resorts, Pocono Downs harness racing and the Pocono International Raceway which hosts NASCAR, SCCA, and IMSA racing. 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.

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 Yankees (a minor league club of the New York Yankees) 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.

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
• Paragon Adventure Park
• Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs
• Scranton/Wilkes-Barre New York Yankees baseball team
• 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

The Alliance serves more than 100,000 people throughout Greater Hazleton, providing outpatient services. These include laboratory and cardiac testing, x-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, mammography, and bone density testing, same day surgery, endoscopic procedures and sleep lab studies.

Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center

An integral part of the Geisinger Health System, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center (GWV), conveniently located in Wilkes-Barre, offers these outstanding services to northeastern Pennsylvania:

A $14.9 million Heart Hospital at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, which opened in October 2001. The Heart Hospital is part of the Geisinger Health System's Heart Institute.

A $2.2 million Special Procedures Suite featuring the latest in Interventional Radiology technology.

A radiology department that features the first production model in the world of a new tilting catheterization table.

Women's health services and specialties, including the Special Delivery Program in obstetrics, which features the area's only sub-specialty, fellowship-trained reproductive endocrinologist/infertility specialist.

An orthopedic surgery department recognized for its special capabilities in joint replacement surgery, including services for people who previously had a joint replaced as well as hand surgery, arthroscopic surgery, treatment for trauma patients and those with sports injuries.

An emergency services department recognized for positive medical outcomes, high patient satisfaction, and efficient service.

The Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Cancer Center, including a $3.6 million expansion, provides hematology/medical oncology and radiation oncology services.

The Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center Outpatient Surgery. This high-tech multi-specialty surgical facility offers same-day surgical procedures.

Additional services include the Audiology Department, medical/surgical intensive care, laboratory medicine, vascular laboratory, sleep disorders center, and a full-range of diagnostic and ambulatory care services, support groups and programs.

Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre

For more than 100 years, this hospital has cared for families who live in the South Wilkes-Barre area.

The Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre medical staff, employees and volunteers are proud of that tradition of caring, and continue to provide exceptional service as a member of Geisinger Health System.

Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre's reputation for excellence began with the founding of the hospital in 1898 by the Sisters of Mercy. Today, the 191-bed hospital enjoys the highest form of accreditation available to hospitals.

Providing an extensive variety of outstanding services, Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre partners with its medical staff and employees to provide high quality, compassionate care close to home.

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 3,000 employees and a medical staff of nearly 400 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. 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 recently 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
Logistics and Financial Services

Largest Private Employers
AEP Industries - Plastic Film
Air Products & Chemicals
Alexandria Moldings
ALLTEL
Altadis USA
Altria Group, Inc.
Bemis Co. Inc.,
Polyethylene Packaging Div.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of NEPA
Bradley Caldwell
Bridon American Corp.
Caradon Mideast Aluminum
Cargill Meat Solutions
Certainteed Corp.
Cornell Iron Works
Dial Corporation
Fabri-Kal Corp.
Fairchild Semiconductor
Frontier Communications
General Mills
Genova Pennsylvania
Guard Insurance Group
Hazleton Standard Speaker
Hershey Chocolate USA,
Div. Hershey Foods Corp.
Hilton Reservations Worldwide
HPG International Inc.
InterMetro Industries Corp (HQ)
Kama
Keystone Automotive
Keystone Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
Lord & Taylor
Michael's Handcrafts
Network Solutions
Offset Paperback Inc., Div Bergelsman Corp.
Plainwell Tissue
Pride Mobility Products Inc.
Quaker Oats Corporation
Quebecor World Hazleton Inc.
RCN Corporation
Sallie Mae
Schott Glass Technologies Inc. (HQ)
Sears Logistics Services
Silgan Closures
Simmons Company
Stroehmann Bakeries Inc.
T. J. Maxx
Telerx
The Penguin Group
Travelocity.com
Trion Industries Inc.
Truth Hardware
U.S. Social Security Data Center

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

The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry and its affiliates are community, economic development and business service organizations charged with the mission of collaborating with community and regional partners to create quality employment and business opportunities and improve the area's quality of life through strategic planning, programs and investments in our community. The organization works on a wide range of projects - from business recruitment and job creation programs, to Downtown revitalization, entrepreneurial and workforce development, the Susquehanna riverfront, greenways initiatives, and more - with an ultimate goal of developing the region into a premiere location for businesses and residents alike. Substantial growth and expansion of our six area business parks have brought in more than 17,000 jobs over the past 15 years – from well-known firms including Mission Foods, Cardinal Glass Industries, Caremark and Fairchild Semiconductor. From our Downtown development efforts to projects like the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza , the Chamber represents the interests of the business community to make the region a better place to live, work and play. The Chamber and its affiliated organizations bridge business and community, building an environment of growth and success in Greater Wilkes-Barre - today and tomorrow.

For more information, call 800-331-0912 or visit wilkesbarre.org/cbi

The Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce was incorporated in 1920 and celebrated its 85th anniversary in 2005. Since its inception, the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce has served as the organization through which business executives, professional people and other concerned citizens have united to provide leadership and direction for the economic and social development of the Greater Pittston Area.

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 collective efforts of PAID and Chamber members have brought needed improvements in our region's economy and many other areas of community life. Few of the advances could have been accomplished on an individual basis. We cannot be content to rest on the strength of our past successes, because there will always be new challenges for improving the economic climate and quality of life in the region.

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 50 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 800-542-2636 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 - locate in county.
• 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-84, I-80, and I-380.

Bus Lines
Martz Trailways 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
The four ports of Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore and Erie are within a reasonable distance.

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Power
PPL Electric Utilities
UGI Utilities, Inc

Telecommunications
Verizon
Frontier Communications

Click here for more information on utilities.

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