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CAN DO, Inc. was recently recognized as the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association’s “Large Agency of the Year.” From left: Edward J. Swoyer Jr., PEDA awards committee chair; Joseph Lettiere, CAN DO vice president of sales and marketing; Kevin O'Donnell, CAN DO president; Brian Hansbury, CAN DO economic development specialist; J. Patrick Killian, PEDA president; and Bernadette DeBias, CAN DO director of economic development.

(Hazleton , PA - October 29, 2008) – Citing CAN DO’s major accomplishments over the last five years, the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association (PEDA) has chosen CAN DO, Inc. as its 2007 “Large Agency of the Year” for Pennsylvania.

CAN DO, which has served as Greater Hazleton’s economic development agency since its founding in 1956, was honored for its recent achievements, including the ongoing expansion of Humboldt Industrial Park, which has brought many globally known companies and thousands of jobs to the Hazleton area.

PEDA represents more than 370 economic development professionals from local, state, utility, private and railroad organizations across the state. The organization presented the prestigious award to CAN DO on October 16 at the annual PEDA Fall Conference luncheon in Blue Bell, PA.

“Choosing the Agency of the Year is always a tough job. It’s a matter of selecting the ‘best of the best.’ Just being considered for this prestigious award is something an agency should be proud of since it is ultimately a testament to its accomplishments,” said J. Patrick Killian, PEDA president.

In addition to the growth in Humboldt Industrial Park, PEDA also recognized CAN DO for its work with the Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation to reclaim hundreds of acres of mine-scarred land; for expanding its focus to include commercial land development at Humboldt Station, and for encouraging new business startups through the development of the CAN BE business incubator.

“CAN DO is honored to receive such a prestigious award from the state economic development association. These past five years have been a time of extended growth and we’re appreciative that PEDA has recognized our achievements,” said CAN DO Chairman E. Thomas Sandrock.

The Large Agency of the Year plaque was presented to CAN DO President Kevin O’Donnell, who accepted along with CAN DO Vice President of Sales and Marketing Joseph Lettiere, Director of Economic Development Bernadette DeBias and Economic Development Specialist Brian Hansbury.

O’Donnell said, “CAN DO continues to be successful with the help of many individuals and organizations who work tirelessly toward our goal of providing quality jobs for Greater Hazleton. I want to thank everyone who has played a role in our success, including our many volunteer leaders and the CAN DO staff.

“We are also very grateful for the support we receive from our state, county and federal representatives, as well as our local municipalities and the school district,” he said. “I’m very pleased with the progress we have made recently. In the last five years, CAN DO has helped create more than 4,000 jobs for the Hazleton area.”

The Pennsylvania Economic Development Association is the statewide association of local, state, corporate and non-profit economic development professionals. PEDA’s mission is to promote sound economic development policies, provide leading-edge economic development education and nurture an effective statewide economic development network to foster the economic health of the commonwealth.