Affiliates - Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce

Downtown Hazleton Alliance for Progress

The mission of the Downtown Hazleton Alliance for Progress is to provide sustainable leadership, direction,and support for the successful, efficient revitalization and long-term success of downtown Hazleton.

Our goal

We want to make the downtown an exciting and vibrant place to live, work, and visit again. We will do this by attracting new businesses, supporting and strengthening existing businesses, promoting cultural institutions and programs, finding new uses for historic buildings, and making the downtown safer, cleaner, and greener.

Who we are

Believing that progress is dependent upon Public-Private Partnerships, the Alliance includes representation from the City of Hazleton, the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, CAN DO, the CAN DO Community Foundation, the DBi/Hayden Partnership, and leadership from within the Latino community. We realize that in order for this effort to succeed, we must share the rebuilding effort with all members of our community — including those residents and business owners who have been here for generations, our youth who have all the energy and are seeking new opportunities, and the hard-working newcomers who are now making Hazleton their home.

Greater Hazleton Area Civic Partnership & Rails to Trails

Joe Yannuzzi
Executive Director
570-455-1509 ext. 110

https://www.facebook.com/Greater-Hazleton-Area-Civic-Partnership-167977629909823/

The Greater Hazleton Area Civic Partnership (GHACP) is a grassroots community organization who's mission statement is to make the Greater Hazleton Area the best place to live, learn, work, worship and play.

The GHACP sponsors a variety of community events and projects, including The Scholarship Program, Rails to Trails, Gateway Beautification, Black Creek Township Alumni Association, MCOG and the Community Assessment.Much of the GHACP's mission came about as a result of the Zogby Report.

Due to the initiative of Hazleton Community Leaders in 1998, the Greater Hazleton Area has achieved much through the efforts of the dedicated volunteers of the GHACP. Over the last eight years the volunteers have made a significant difference in the lives of over 70,000 local people including minorities and people of all income levels. The GHACP volunteers have raised over $860,000 in grants and local funding to support the projects that have made such a positive outcome for all our area residents and visitors.

Click to visit the Facebook page of the Greater Hazleton Civic Partnership to learn more!

Mountain Council of Governments

Cal Herring
Executive Director
570-455-1509
Download MCOG Brochure

The Mountain Council of Governments consists of over 20 municipalities, school districts, authorities, the Greater Hazleton Civic partnership, and the Chamber of Commerce.

MCOG has been existence almost 20 years. It began when a few local municipalities joined together for the purpose of discussing and studying community challenges of mutual interest and concern.

The MCOG engages in the joint purchase of equipment and supplies, sharing of equipment and services, and they meet in a monthly forum to discuss common concerns and to hear speakers on timely subjects.

MCOG is an affiliate of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce which provides office space for MCOG business, a meeting place, and other perks. The COG is also assisted with funds from the Luzerne County Commissioners and a state grant sponsored by Representative Tarah Toohil.

The basic mission of MCOG is:

To provides a neutral forum to discuss issues of common concern
To articulate common positions on major issues
To lower the costs of services, supplies, and equipment
To provide government services on a regional basis
To coordinate planning and regulatory activities

Our goal is to build on the collective strengths and resources to produce a SYNERGY that results in a better community for all our citizenry.

Some of MCOG’s accomplishments and endeavors include:

Joint purchase of a sewer camera and tar kettle
Yearly joint purchase of road salt
A joint municipal abandoned vehicle ordinance
Gateway signage and beautification projects throughout the area
Assistance in developing Rails to Trails
Regional police feasibility studies
UCC code enforcement assistance
Shared road services and equipment
Speakers from the state, county, and private sector on grant writing and other money saving opportunities for municipalities and school districts
Information regarding state programs such as COSTARS, NEPA, and surplus purchasing through the state and federal government