Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) offers ample opportunity to enjoy nature, sports, culture and other activities.
Overview
With 320,000 residents, Luzerne County is the most populous county in Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA). Greater Hazleton area, which includes areas in southern Luzerne County, northern Schuylkill County, and northern Carbon County represents a population of about 77,000 residents. Luzerne County is home to Lehigh Valley Hospital–Hazleton.
Family and community values are woven throughout the fabric of our daily life. Those values, combined with an affordable housing stock, excellent schools and stimulating arts and cultural opportunities, give our region an excellent quality of life. NEPA is attractive to people and businesses from around the world, which help make our economy strong.
Industry
Hazleton has a rich history as a center of manufacturing and commerce. In the 1800s, immigrants flowed into the area from Eastern Europe to gain employment in the bustling coal mines. Later, Hazleton was home to the world’s largest silk mill. Today, Hazleton has emerged as a diverse home for manufacturing and industry.
The leading economic developer in NEPA, CAN DO, Inc., has brought jobs and development to the Greater Hazleton area, building three industrial parks in the region. Humboldt Station, Valmont Industrial Park and McAdoo Industrial Park are home to new and expanding businesses.
Education
Colleges and universities
Luzerne County Community College, Hazleton
Lackawanna College Hazleton Center
Primary and secondary education
Greater Nanticoke Area School District
Hazleton Area School District (also in Carbon and Schuylkill Counties)
Lake-Lehman School District (also in Wyoming County)
Northwest Area School District
Wilkes-Barre Area School District
Wyoming Area School District (also in Wyoming County)
Wyoming Valley West School District
Entertainment
NEPA is within comfortable driving distance to professional sports, world-class museums and performances, and other cultural opportunities in New York (approximately 2 hours away), Philadelphia (approximately 2 hours away) and other major cities.
NEPA is home to exciting minor league sports teams such as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The region also boasts exciting professional ice hockey with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, an affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins.
Mohegan Sun Arena is the site of many live concerts and other events throughout the year. Thousands of visitors annually enjoy gaming, restaurants and entertainment at Mohegan Sun Casino and other casinos in the region.
The Pavilion at Montage Mountain is one of the premier music venues in Pennsylvania offering spectacular mountain views and hosting some of the biggest music artists and festivals in the world.
Hazleton is home to a popular First Fridays celebration that features art, live performances, historic walking tours and other activities. The Hazleton Art League offers programs for artists of all ages, including drawing, jewelry-making, painting, sculpture, ceramics and more. A new City Arts Center is currently in the planning stages for the downtown area.
Each year, Downtown Hazleton hosts Funfest, a weekend festival with activities for the entire family.
Penn’s Peak, the Lehigh Valley and Pocono Mountains premier entertainment venue, is located nearby in historic Jim Thorpe. The entertainment venue overlooks Beltzville Lake and hosts weddings, special events and concerts throughout the year.
Attractions and Recreation
Residents enjoy year-round activities throughout Luzerne County and the nearby Pocono Mountains including professional NASCAR racing, indoor family water parks, resorts, wineries, breweries and spas.
Luzerne County is home to four beautiful state parks where you can enjoy hiking, waterfalls, fishing, camping, and other recreational activities. Bushkill Falls, otherwise known as the Niagara of Pennsylvania, is another popular hiking destination in nearby Pike County.
Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails totals 5.6 miles with plans to expand to 16.4 miles and connect to the Delaware Lehigh National Heritage Corridor Trail System at the Rockport Trailhead.
For those looking to hit the links, Luzerne County offers a variety of scenic golf courses for novices and experts alike.
During the winter months, the Pocono Mountains boasts ski slopes and trails for any level of expertise at Blue Mountain Ski Resort, Camelback Mountains Resort, Jack Frost Big Boulder, Shawnee Mountain, Ski Big Bear, and Eagle Rock Resort.
Luzerne County Links
Luzerne County Community Health Needs Assessment
Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce
Luzerne County Historical Society