Beyond the Byline: NEPA is gettin’ better all the time

WILKES-BARRE — If Mama Cass Elliot were here, she would read the Times Leader’s Innovation tab and sing, “It’s gettin’ better.”

As you know, Mama Cass was the powerful voice of the Mamas & Papas group and had a few solo hits, including “It’s Getting Better.”

“And it’s gettin’ better

Growin’ stronger

Warm and wilder

Gettin’ better every day, better every day

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And it’s not hard to see

That it isn’t half of what it’s gonna turn out to be.”

It’s always good when you can find appropriate lyrics in the iconic music of the 1960s and 1970s.

But Mama Cass really belts out that song and it fits when we talk about economic development here in Northeast PA.

Just look at the Times Leader’s 50-page Innovation insert today and you will see what I mean. After reading all the stories about all that is going on and will continue to happen, you will come to the same conclusion:

It’s gettin’ better — all the time.

Don’t take my word for it — just read the stories. Then you will see that we all should be proud of where we live, work and play.

A lot of this comes down to leadership. People like Lindsay Griffin-Boylan at the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber. And Larry Newman at Diamond City Partnership. And John Augustine at Penn’s Northeast. And Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown, Pittston Mayor Mike Lombardo and our state and federal legislators who are trying to, as our Gov. Josh Shapiro says, “Get stuff done.”

‘It’s a huge deal!’

Earlier this year, Augustine, President/CEO at Penn’s Northeast, said a recent ranking of Northeastern Pennsylvania as a top location for economic development represents the tremendous growth in the region.

“It’s a huge deal,” Augustine said when the rankings came out in early March. “And most importantly, it represents the thousands of jobs that were created because of that. This ranking represents the more than 25 companies that weren’t here in our area two years ago.”

Did you catch that? The lofty ranking for the region represents more that 25 companies that weren’t here just two years ago.

“It’s gettin’ better all the time.”

And take note that this ranking, for the fifth consecutive year, recognized NEPA as one of the top locations in the United States for economic development projects.

Augustine said the region ranked in the Top 10 for both the number of projects and projects per capita.

Yes, NEPA — the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton region — ranked 9th in the 2024 Tier 2 Top Metros by total projects (25) — and the region ranked 8th for per capita.

And Augustine was quick to note that those thousands of new jobs pay “family-sustaining” wages.

“Competition raises wages — that’s a fact,” Augustine said, adding that the ranking highlights the region’s continued success in attracting and expanding businesses.

Data centers are coming

Just a couple of weeks ago, Augustine said in a Times Leader story that Northeast Pennsylvania has become one of the most sought-after landing spots for data centers.

“They will bring good-paying jobs, lots of opportunities and add to the tax base,” Augustine said. “It’s a win, win, win situation.”

Augustine said several companies have contacted his office about building a data center in the region, but they can’t be revealed for confidentiality reasons.

One developer, NorthPoint Development, recently gained approval for a 15-building data center campus in Hazleton.

Two others are planned around the Invenergy natural gas plant in Jessup, and others have been checking out undisclosed locations in the region.

Augustine said. “You can reach one-third of the United States and half of Canada in a one-day’s drive from Northeastern Pennsylvania.”

NEPA is clean, safe, and beautiful. We have a great educational network and we have become a regional center of arts, culture, dining, and entertainment. And there’s more — historic architecture, riverfront, and high-quality public environment.

In summary — NEPA has it all.

And it’s gettin’ better.