The Department of Planning and Economic Development oversees Lackawanna County’s Office of Economic and Community Development, as well as the work of the Lackawanna County Regional Planning Commission and the Lackawanna County Redevelopment Authority. 

• The Department is committed to a variety of programs to enhance quality of life, support the growth and development of existing businesses, attract new businesses and industries, create and retain family-sustaining jobs, and develop a business - friendly regional reputation. 

We are requesting your input in a survey related to freight in Eastern Pennsylvania!

The Eastern Pennsylvania Freight Alliance (EPFA) is a consortium of Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organizations, including Lackawanna/Luzerne Transportation Study (LLTS), Lebanon County Metropolitan Planning Organization (LEBCO), Lehigh Valley Transportation Study (LVPC/LVTS), Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA MPO), and Reading Area Transportation Study (RATS). This 10-County region has joined to address the unique opportunities and challenges associated with freight industry growth, focused on impacts to mobility, safety, land uses, and overall state of good repair of the transportation infrastructure.

The EPFA has launched the Eastern Pennsylvania Freight Infrastructure Plan to document challenges associated with freight movement, seeking to balance the needs of all users of the region’s transportation network. Additional study goals include identifying and understanding:

• How and where trucks move into, out of, and within the 10-county region
• Transportation bottlenecks
• Safety issues and crash clusters
• Potential freight land use growth areas

The study will develop recommendations that include a prioritized list of improvements throughout the EPFA Study Area, including targeted locations (intersections or interchanges), corridor improvements, or policy changes.

The brief survey can be accessed here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZWNFHPR  It should take no more than 5-10 minutes of your time.  Local input is a critical element in the identification of opportunities and challenges in the region.  We appreciate your thoughts as we move forward with our study.

The Lackawanna County Commissioners presented a $50,000 donation to support the annual Toys For Tots Drive. Due to the economic hardships created by the COVID 19 pandemic, this gift will help to deliver smiles, hope and Santa to children during the holiday season.	The Lackawanna County Commissioners presented a $200,000 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) check to the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter/Humane Society of Lackawanna County.  The much-needed resources will provide finances for the organization to cover operating costs.
Commissioner Jerry Notarianni, Commissioner Chris Chermak, Veterans Director David Eisele, Marine Staff Sergeant Sal Dely, Commissioner Debi Domenick, Esq., Director Economic Development Brenda Sacco, and Chief Solicitor Frank Ruggiero.	Jackie Brooks, Griffin Pond; Brenda Sacco, the County’s Economic Development Director; Commissioner Debi Domenick, Sherry Crolly and Sandy Fofi, Griffin Pond; Commissioner Chris Chermak, Commissioner Jerry Notarianni, and Ashley Wolo and Atty. Elaine Geroulo, Griffin Pond.