[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 11, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1052]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CAN DO CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______


                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 11, 1996

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
economic and community development organization in my Congressional 
District in Pennsylvania, the Community Area New Development 
Corporation of Hazelton. CAN DO, as it is generally known, will 
celebrate its 40th anniversary next week, and I am pleased to be able 
to participate in this event.
  In 1956, Dr. Edgar L. Dessen led a group of civic leaders who were 
determined to reverse the economic decline brought about by the demise 
of Northeastern Pennsylvania's coal mining industry. These officials 
believed that the economy of the area could only survive if new jobs 
were created through planned industrial development.
  Under Dr. Dessen's leadership, the original group oversaw a massive 
fund-raising effort to help finance Greater Hazelton's renaissance. The 
organization set a goal of raising one half a million dollars, but 
succeeding in raising $750,000 for generating economic development. The 
group used the funds to purchase land to create an industrial park on 
the outskirts of Hazelton. A year later, Valmont Industrial Park was 
opened, and the General Foam Company became the park's first tenant. 
The company brought over one hundred new jobs to Hazelton launching the 
area's economic revitalization. Valmont Industrial Park was quickly 
filled and CAN DO began to expand its mission.
  Having experienced tremendous success in bringing new industries to 
the Valmont Industrial Park, CAN DO began drafting plans for a second 
industrial park. In 1972, CAN DO opened the Humboldt Industrial Park 
and quickly attracted new industries. A state-of-the-art operation was 
established in the park by Cadbury-Schweppes, Ltd. which was the 
largest candy manufacturer in the world at that time. The facility is 
now home to Hershey Chocolate.
  During the 1980's CAN DO officials turned their attention toward the 
age of high technology which they anticipated would drive the future 
economy. CAN DO's drawing board was filled with plans to keep the 
company of the Hazelton area strong well into the 21st Century through 
the attraction of high tech businesses. Numerous economic development 
projects were realized from this innovative planning.
  Paramount among these projects is the CAN DO Corporate Center. This 
ultra-modern business park features a unique environmentally sensitive 
design known as the Terrarium Concept which preserves the ecological 
beauty of the park. This strategy was so well received, CAN DO was 
awarded the 1993 Environmental Excellence in Economic Development Award 
from the Arthur D. Little organization. Only minutes from the 
interstate highway system, the CAN DO Corporate Center is equipped with 
the latest business and industrial technologies and a well structured 
and reliable infrastructure.
  Currently, CAN DO is involved in the expansion of the Humboldt 
Industrial Park Southwest which will result in 300 additional acres 
being made available for industrial development in the Hazelton area. 
CAN DO is also working with the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company to 
develop the Green Mountain Major Manufacturing Site adjacent to the 
Humbolt Southwest facility.
  Mr. Speaker, during its forty year existence, CAN DO has been 
responsible for 14,000 new jobs, 200 development projects, over $1 
billion in private investment in the Greater Hazelton Area, and more 
than $4 million in tax revenue. The long-term vision for economic 
development that CAN DO drafted has contributed significantly to the 
economic revitalization of the Greater Hazelton Area. CAN DO has truly 
earned its many national awards and recognition.
  Mr. Speaker, during my tenure in the Congress, I have had the 
distinct pleasure of working closely with the innovative and visionary 
men and women of CAN DO. It is with pleasure that I am able to 
highlight the outstanding achievements of this distinguished economic 
development organization before my colleagues. I am proud to 
congratulate CAN DO on its 40th Anniversary and I wish the organization 
continued prosperity in all its community and economic development 
efforts.

                          ____________________