Humboldt Park Association members learned about the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce’s 2017 Wage and Salary survey and Service Electric Cablevision’s business packages for phone, high-speed internet and cable during the association’s recent meeting at McCann School of Business and Technology in the Humboldt Industrial Park.

Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce President Mary Malone said that the results are in from this year’s annual wage and benefits survey. Approximately 30 companies of varying sizes from throughout Greater Hazleton participated in the survey, including both union and non-union businesses. A request to participate in the comprehensive survey of wages and benefits is sent to all local human resource departments in January and the results are made available in late March.

Malone said, “We are thankful to the companies that participated this year and encourage more companies to take part next year. The more companies that participate in this survey each year, the better results we can provide on what our area has to offer. This survey is something that is used extensively by businesses and economic development organizations throughout the area.”

All businesses that participated in the survey receive a free copy. The cost to purchase a copy is $75 for chamber members and $150 for non-members. To purchase a copy or be added to the email list to receive an invitation to participate in the next survey, contact the chamber office at 570-455-1509.

Tim Trently, general manager of Service Electric Cablevision’s Hazleton division, spoke to attendees about the phone, high-speed internet and cable TV options that are available to businesses in Humboldt. Trently said Service Electric can provide a high-speed internet transfer through a fiber-optic connection from between 6 megabytes per second up to 1 gigabyte per second.

“We visit your facility and do a site survey and provide you with a quote on the cost for internet, telephone and cable rates. Our service currently covers most of Humboldt Industrial Park and we have the ability to establish new service in any area throughout the park.”

Bill Burke, the campus director at McCann School of Business and Technology, also spoke during the meeting about the programs of study that the school offers, which include associate degrees in several specialized technology fields. Burke encouraged attendees to join McCann’s advisory board for any programs that align with their business. As advisory board members, business associates will have the opportunity to, among other things, help establish standards to act as guidelines for the outcome and assessment of student readiness for employment and comment on the established curriculum and adequacy of the program.

Additionally, Burke provided details about the school’s career services work with students, which includes job placement services as well as setting up externships and internships. Burke also discussed McCann’s partnership with Penn Foster High School, a regionally and nationally accredited institution that provides online learning programs, to help displaced students who want to attend McCann earn their GED. McCann sponsors the students and pays for the process for anyone planning to attend McCann, while Penn Foster evaluates the student transcripts.

CAN DO Director of Operations Greg Kurtz provided an update on recent well upgrades to wells 7 and 9 in the park and the ongoing Route 424 extension project in the Humboldt East section of the park. Kurtz said the wells were evaluated for any failures and pipes were upgraded to ensure the wells maintain their current levels of productivity.

Regarding the Route 424 extension project, Kurtz shared that a design for the project is expected soon, followed by a cost analysis. CAN DO hopes to begin construction next year to extend White Birch Road out to Commerce Drive. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation expects to begin their part of the project to have Route 424 meet Commerce Drive in 2019.