PPL First Corporate Supporter of National Sustainable Development Group
Investing in cultural preservation and the future of Pennsylvania, PPL Corporation has become the first corporate supporter of the Alliance of National Heritage Areas (ANHA). In announcing PPL’s support at the ANHA annual meeting, Don Bernhard, PPL’s manager – Community and Economic Development said, “We believe in sustainable development and building on the rich heritage of our communities. These are the ideals that ANHA strongly supports.”

PPL’s $20,000 donation will be divided four ways. Three heritage corridors  The Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, the Schuylkill River Valley National and State Heritage Area, and the Lackawanna Heritage Valley  will receive $5,000 each to support their respective programs focused on education, environmental stewardship, historic preservation, heritage tourism and cultural conservation.

The Heritage Development Institute, the professional development arm of ANHA, will receive the remaining $5,000 and use it to attract financial support from other corporations.

“We are pleased to have the generous support of PPL,” said John W. Cosgrove, Executive Director of ANHA. “We understand that when PPL makes business decisions, it looks for the solutions that balance the interests of everyone involved and provide positive outcomes for the community, the environment and the economy. Our partnership will provide those solutions.”

CAN DO “LEED Certified” Office Building Ready for Tenant Fit Out
LEED certification, tax incentives, plus a large available workforce are awaiting the right tenant at CAN DO Corporate Center II. This two-story dedicated office building was built to accommodate up to four tenants but features the flexibility to also suit one large tenant.

The 54,794 SF Class A office space offers easy access near the intersection of I-80 and I-81. KOZ designation provides tax abatement through 2010. The building features 12.47 kv of underground electric supply plus a 500 kva generator. The facility is served by a dual fiber network and 100 percent digital switching.

Visit PPL’s Available Property Locator at http://www.ppleconomicdevelopment.com for a photo and more details.

Solar Innovations Manufacturing Plant Breaks Ground
Solar Innovations Inc has begun a $9.7 million construction project on the last available lot in Pine Grove Business Park. The project was financed in part by a SEDCO-administered PIDA loan of $1.68 million.

The firm purchased the 14.8 acre property to construct a manufacturing plant for its line of commercial and residential architectural solar energy products. The company will add 48 new jobs to their existing 58-person workforce.

Burke Elected to new Two-Year Term with IEDC
The Board of Directors of International Economic Development Council has re-elected Austin Burke, President of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce to another two year term beginning January, 2008. IEDC is the world’s leading economic development organization for professionals working in the field of economic development.

Juniata Business and Industry Locates New Tenant
Brahma Building Products, a manufacturer of beaded and trim products for decking has purchased the final two lots in JBI Business Center to build a new 50,000 SF facility. The company supplies Georgia Pacific and other building materials companies. The facility is scheduled for completion by early 2009. Employment is expected to increase by 20 full-time positions.

Residence Inn CAN DO’s First Project in Humboldt Station
A 92-room Residence Inn is expected to be complete this spring in Humboldt Station, just off I-81 and Route 924 adjacent to Humboldt Industrial Park. The hotel will be one of nearly a dozen businesses that are being recruited to provide support services for CANDO’s Humboldt Industrial Parks.

Two Chefs on a Roll Leases Northeastern Pennsylvania Facility
Two Chefs on a Roll, a Caron-California-based food manufactuer of dips, sauces, baked goods and appetizers has leased space in Jessup Small Business Center. The firm will employ up to 75 workers at the facility. The project was brokered by Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services.

AutoZone to Open Hazleton Area Distribution Center
AutoZone has announced the opening of a 600,000 SF distribution center in Humboldt Industrial Park in late May. The project initially known as Project Pioneer will employ about 400 people when fully operational. Atlanta based site selection firm, Walker Company, represented AutoZone in their site search.

AutoZone is a seller of auto and light truck parts, chemicals and accessories and has more than 4,000 stores in 48 states and the District of Columbia, as well as 84 additional stores in Mexico.

LVEDC Hires Economic Development Finance Officer
John Kingsley has been named vice president of economic development finance for Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC). He will begin his job in May. Kingsley is currently the economic development administrator for Northampton County.

In announcing the appointment, Phil Mittman, LVEDC’s president said. “We are thrilled to gain someone with John’s substantial credentials and experience to fill this position. He will allow LVEDC to grow an aggressive financing program that administers more than two dozen low-interest, fixed-rate loan programs for Lehigh Valley businesses and companies looking to locate here.”

Allentown’s America on Wheels Museum Opens
Allentown's new America on Wheels museum opened on Saturday, April 12. The museum chronicles over the road vehicles including revolutionary vehicles (an 1895 electric carriage), locally made vehicles (a 1919 Mack AB fire truck), interactive vehicles (a simulation of a ride inside a Mack Granite cab) and unique vehicles (a racing bar stool). The collection was conceived to be broader than those of other ''car museums.''

Along with cars and trucks, there are other kinds of transportation, including bicycles and horse-drawn conveyances. The museum is only five blocks from the garage where Henry Nadig, a German-born mechanic, built what might be the firs gas-powered buggy driven on American streets.

The museum will include exhibits that explain the science and technology behind motor vehicles. And, it capitalizes on the deep roots set down here by Mack Trucks by displaying vehicles and other items from Mack's own collection as part of its focus on transportation in Pennsylvania.

The opening of the museum has attracted significant development interest to the Lehigh River waterfront area.