National, state and local officials bring $2.2M expansion to Innovation Center of Wilkes-Barre

The Innovation Center of Wilkes-Barre business incubator has already created more than 115 new jobs in the Wyoming Valley. That impact is poised to become a lot greater.

Congressman Paul Kanjorski , Senator Robert Casey, and Willie Taylor, Regional Director of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Philadelphia Office announced $2.2 million for the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry’s Innovation Center at Wilkes-Barre II.

“We are very thankful to EDA and our federal delegation,” says Chamber President/CEO Todd Vonderheid. “This new building will give our community the kind of space required to allow us to not only build on the success of our existing incubator, but most importantly to create a more formal relationship between area colleges, universities and private investors that will ensure the necessary support for entrepreneurs over the long term.”

Gathering in downtown Wilkes Barre on Tuesday were members of the EDA’s regional office staff as well as Chamber members and area elected officials. Since 2008, Wilkes Barre, like many cities across the country, has been struggling with unemployment and job growth, further accenting the need for economic development and cross-governmental partnerships.

The new Wilkes-Barre small business incubator will create 17,110 square feet of affordable office space for lease to local small businesses and start-ups. The facility will be housed in a rehabbed abandon building in downtown Wilkes-Barre. Construction is anticipated to begin early next year and should take about a year to complete.

“The Innovation Center at Wilkes-Barre has provided a unique opportunity to bring new small businesses to the area, create jobs, and promote economic development in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Kanjorski in a statement before the crowd. “I applaud the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry for its innovative initiative as part of the downtown revitalization program. The expansion of the Wilkes-Barre Chamber’s successful program will enable the goals of the innovation center to continue so that more small businesses can grow and thrive in Northeastern Pennsylvania, while also benefiting the area’s economy and its residents.”

Source: Todd Vonderheid, Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry
Writer: John Steele