WILKES-BARRE — There were a lot of major announcements this year for Luzerne County — the biggest of which was made in Columbia County, but it was about a major company coming to town.
In June, at the Jackson Mansion in Berwick, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced that Amazon is planning to invest at least $20 billion to establish multiple high-tech cloud computing and artificial intelligence innovation campuses across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Shapiro said this marks the largest private sector investment in the history of Pennsylvania.
This investment is expected to create at least 1,250 high-paying, high-tech jobs at data centers in Salem Township, Luzerne County — next to the Susquehanna nuclear power plant — and Falls Township, Bucks County.
Shapiro said his team worked closely with local leaders and Amazon to land this deal.
With this investment, the governor said his administration has secured more than $25.2 billion in private sector investment — creating nearly 11,000 new jobs since taking office.
NEPA earns top rating for economic development
In March, John Augustine III, President/CEO at Penn’s Northeast, said the recognition of Northeastern Pennsylvania as one of the top locations in the U.S. for economic development projects is a huge deal.
“This ranking represents the more than 25 companies that weren’t here in our area two years ago,” Augustine said.
And Augustine quickly added that those thousands of new jobs pay “family-sustaining” wages.
A Presidential wing
Also in March, historian Larry Cook was honored when the Hoyt Library in Kingston dedicated “The Larry Cook Historian Center for Presidential Research” — a valuable resource for students, scholars, researchers, and the general public interested in studying the lives and legacies of America’s presidents, administrations, policies, and the people around them.
The Center was dedicated on Saturday, March 8, with a packed house of dignitaries that included several descendants of U.S. Presidents — William McKinley (#25), Grover Cleveland (#22 & #24), James K. Polk (#11), James Garfield (#20), Franklin Pierce (#14), James Monroe (#5), plus descendants of Mary Todd Lincoln and Martha Washington. Approximately 200 members of the general public also attended.
Cook and his wife, Diane, are best known for the genuine friendship they shared with the late President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn. They often visited each other’s homes, and they shared many memories over the years.
Pierce Street Deli celebrates 20th anniversary
The Pierce Street Deli in Kingston celebrated its 20th anniversary in January, and owner Ken Bond tells customers, “No need to stress — we can do it all.”
“We employ about a dozen people — several of them have been working here for more than 15 years,” Bond said.
Data centers are coming to NEPA
In April, John Augustine, president/CEO at Penn’s Northeast, said Northeast Pennsylvania has become one of the most sought-after landing spots for data centers.
Augustine said several companies have contacted his office about building a data center in the region, but the names cannot be revealed for confidentiality reasons.
One developer, NorthPoint Development, recently gained approval for a 15-building data center campus in Hazleton.
Augustine said PPL stands ready to meet the challenge, and the region’s bountiful supply of natural gas in the Marcellus shale would also be key in attracting developers.
New development planned for Offset Paperback site
In May, Matt Sordoni, president of Sordoni Properties LLC, said the company purchased the former Offset Manufacturers plant and property and intends to bring a “mixed-use retail essentials development” to the historic site.
Sordoni said Fernbrook Commons 1 LLC is the holding company that was utilized to make the transaction. The purchase was finalized on April 24, Sordoni said. The purchase price was listed as $5.5 million, according to Luzerne County records.
Sordoni said he and company officials listened to the residents of Dallas and are exploring options for the site that include grocery-anchored retail, a convenience store including fuel, a fitness center, a dining experience facility, medical offices, and educational space.
Earth Conservancy reclaiming land
A former strip mine once used for debris disposal from Hurricane Agnes in 1972 will be transformed into a vibrant community park, thanks to a $6.7 million grant from the PA Department of Environmental Protection, Terry Ostrowski, president/CEO at Earth Conservancy, announced.
Ostrowski said Earth Conservancy will use the grant to reclaim its 30-acre Hanover 7A site and transform it into a new community park serving the Lower South Valley.
Located in Hanover Township directly off State Route 29, Ostrowski said the site’s accessibility makes it especially well-positioned to serve as a regional hub for outdoor recreation and community engagement.
LCCC announces Career & Technology Academy
In June, Luzerne County Community College President John Yudichak officially launched the LCCC Career & Technology Academy — an unprecedented educational partnership between the college and the region’s three Career and Technical Centers (CTCs) — Hazleton Area Career Center, Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center, and West Side Career & Technical Center.
Yudichak said the new academy was made possible through a $1 million Dual Credit Innovation Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and $150,000 in private scholarship support.
Yudichak said the Career & Technology Academy will empower more than 2,000 CTC students across Luzerne County to earn post-secondary credentials while still in high school.
Grico’s Restaurant going strong at 90
In June, Grico’s Restaurant celebrated its 90th anniversary.
And over those 90 years, countless couples have had their first dates at Grico’s — and many more after.
As Pat Greenfield, who owned the restaurant at 1074 Wyoming Ave., in Exeter, prior to Rob Friedman, said, “So many had their first dates, their engagement parties, christenings, graduation dinners, anniversary parties, and now their children and grandchildren come in — it’s a continuity you don’t often find.”
LSEO gets a new CEO
In August, Kris Jones, Founder of LSEO, named Jimmy T. Martin as CEO.
Jones said that since 2014, LSEO has been a results-driven digital marketing agency, helping businesses grow through SEO, paid media, and content marketing.
“But over the years, one key insight has emerged — many of our clients come to us with a strong ambition to grow, but lack a compelling brand foundation,” Jones said. “That’s where LSEO 2.0 begins.”
And Jones said Martin is the person to drive this evolution.
Polish Connection reopens after repairs
In August, the Polish Connection, a restaurant known for its authentic Polish cuisine, held its grand reopening.
The restaurant, which incurred severe damage from a fire on Easter Sunday, April 20, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion.
Adelina’s opens in Genetti’s
Also in August, Adelina’s Restaurant & Pizzeria opened a restaurant in Genetti’s Best Western in downtown Wilkes-Barre.
The Facebook announcement read:
”For all of our Mountaintop customers, YES we are still rebuilding our Mountaintop location and are very busy with our new plans!
“In the meantime, you’ll be able to visit us at 77 East Market St., Wilkes-Barre, inside of the Genetti’s/Best Western.”
The Atrium closes in Kingston
In November, a popular eatery on the West Side closed its doors after 16 years of serving the public.
The Atrium, owned by Matt Borwick, closed its Kingston location on Nov. 11.
Wawa to open soon in Dallas Township
Alyson Mucha, Public Relations & Communications for Wawa Inc., sent an update in November on the new store under construction on Route 309 in Dallas Township.
“Our new store in Dallas Township is projected to open in early 2026,” Mucha said.
The Dallas Township store is being built next to Tractor Supply on state Route 309.
The Woodlands abruptly shuts down for repairs
In late November, The Woodlands Inn & Resort, once a destination for thousands of people every year, was shut down because the electricity for the building was cut off due to a lack of payment.
The power was soon restored, but the business remains closed as extensive repairs are made.
Austie’s Restaurant celebrates 50th anniversary
In December, Austie’s Family Restaurant celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Owner Alice Matyas said Austie’s is the home of one big family, her immediate children and grandchildren and her “extended” family of customers — many of them “regulars.”
It’s that home-like atmosphere of home-cooked meals and genuine conversation that has made Austie’s a special place since Dec. 12, 1975.
SPCA of Luzerne County buys Dundee Gardens site
In September, the SPCA of Luzerne County announced it acquired the former Dundee Gardens property in Hanover Township to enhance and expand the shelter’s facilities.
Executive Director Todd Hevner made the announcement in a letter sent to friends and supporters of the organization.
Hevner said the purchase of the former Dundee Gardens property was made due to the aging infrastructure of the SPCA’s facility located at 524 E. Main St., Plains Twp.