“That statement is as true today as it was when I was a student.  Remember it as you journey through life.  The things you learn and the experiences you will encounter will stay with you throughout your life.  And everything good that life can bring you begins with a solid education.

“Those of you who are studying the culinary arts probably know that this area of study has been on the rise over the past decade and often leads to decent-paying jobs.  It’s all about a quality education.  After I earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Finance and Investments from Marywood University, I had the confidence to follow a plan to establish myself as a successful real estate developer and builder here in northeastern Pennsylvania.  I achieved that goal, right here at home.

“And that brings me to another point, which impacts those students who will soon graduate from Luzerne County Community College and other universities in our region.  A labor friend of mine is fond of saying that “The best way to never forget where you come from is to never leave.” I never did and I’ve never regretted it.

“Upon graduation, many of you will feel a sense of wanderlust, a desire to get out and see the world.  That’s perfectly normal and understandable.  There’s another old expression that I love that sums up what I’m saying – Ships look beautiful, but they weren’t meant to stay in the harbor.  So sail out from here buoyed by your shiny new diplomas and do great things.  Just remember that this region is your home.  For many of you, it’s where you were born and raised.   Northeastern Pennsylvania can use all the bright, talented young men and women we can find right now to help the region grow and prosper.  You young men and women are the future and I, for one, hope you stake your personal claims to the future right here in northeastern Pennsylvania.

“Thank you and congratulations once again on your magnificent new Culinary Arts Center.”

HAZLETON, PA  – Officials of Hazleton Creek Properties (HCP), owners and operators of a major mine reclamation project in the former coal mining center of Hazleton, PA, will discuss and answer residents’ questions tonight in a public meeting about its new Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Permit Application.  The event is being hosted by the DEP at Hazleton High School.  HCP’s new Permit Application seeks to use dry flue gas desulfurization (FGD) materials as a source of fill for the numerous, abandoned deep pit mines that pose a continuing health and safety threat to area residents.  FGD is a widely used technology that removes sulfur dioxide from the exhaust flue gases in power plants that burn coal or oil to produce steam for the steam turbines that drive their electricity generators.  FGD materials have been successfully used in other mine reclamation projects around the country.

“We are proud of the fact that our project is one of the most environmentally vetted and scrutinized of its kind in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” says William F. Rinaldi, HCP co-founder.  “We welcome the public’s ongoing interest in and questions of our project, which will create many jobs in the Hazleton region and improve the overall health and safety of its residents.  Tonight’s public meeting is another important step in the permit application process and we look forward to educating residents about the beneficial and environmentally safe re-use of FGD materials in mine reclamation work.”

Rinaldi also questioned the ethics of State Representative Todd Eachus’ use of taxpayer money in his continuing efforts to stop the project.  Earlier this year, Eachus’ state office mailed a biased, anti-HCP “survey” to Hazleton residents that was intended to create fear and uncertainty about the mine reclamation project.

“We’re proud of the fact that there are no state taxpayer funds in our project,” adds Rinaldi.  “I don’t understand how Rep. Eachus can justify using taxpayer dollars to fund an anti-HCP propaganda campaign.  

“With the state facing huge budget deficits and with many people hurting in this economy, it’s unconscionable for him to use taxpayer dollars to unfairly malign HCP.”

The Hazleton Creek Properties’ reclamation site is an abandoned mine site located directly off Interstate 81 and bounded by Routes 924, 309 and Broad Street.  The site has been severely impacted by past deep and surface mining practices and encompasses more than 277 acres of un-reclaimed, abandoned mine pits and spoil piles. Portions of the site (approximately 50 acres) were previously used for disposal of municipal and industrial waste in several mine pits. The area is a Brownfield site and has been certified as a Designated Special Industrial Area (SIA) by the Governor of Pennsylvania, giving the site priority attention for remediation.  The site has the capacity to accept over 10 million cubic yards of residual materials to complete the reclamation. 

HCP is authorized to conduct the site reclamation/remediation using DEP-approved residual materials, including regulated fill, clean-fill from construction activities, and river dredge materials.   

Once the primary site is reclaimed, HCP will engage in a larger effort to reclaim 250 acres of abandoned mine land adjacent to the city of Hazleton upon which the company plans to build the Hazleton Performing Arts Center.  The Center will occupy approximately 80 acres in the middle of this site with other commercial development to the north and south. The Performing Arts Center will be a 20,000 seat facility (16,000 fixed, 4,000 lawn) with state-of-the-art offices, crew and dressing / lounge space for artists and their staff. Additionally, the Center will include 50,000 square feet of vendor/commercial space that is under roof in order to be convertible to convention space. This new venue will serve as a catalyst for the city of Hazleton for new economic development and generate increased tourism to Hazleton.  For more information, visit www.hazletoncreekproperties.com.

“This is a wonderful day for the residents of Hazleton who, for far too long, have had to live in the midst of this dangerous community eyesore,” said Mark McClellan, HCP’s environmental consultant and President of Evergreen Environmental, Inc.  “We greatly appreciate the thoroughness of the DEP’s review of our application and are extremely grateful to have been granted the permit to proceed with this important reclamation project, which, when completed, will eliminate a huge safety risk, bring back the natural beauty of this region and improve the overall quality of life for Hazleton residents.  We are ready to roll.”

The abandoned site has been severely impacted by past deep mining and surface mining and contains over 200 acres of un-reclaimed abandoned mine pits, highwalls and spoil piles. Subsequent to mining, both municipal and industrial waste materials were disposed in some mine pits. Highwall hazards, open mine pits, and an uncapped waste disposal area have posed a long-term risk to public health, safety and the environment.
The project performed by HCP – at no cost to the taxpayer – will take an existing public liability and create a public asset with significant economic benefits though redevelopment and job creation. As importantly, the reclamation/remediation project will achieve the strict statewide health standards for Brownfield remediation with the voluntary completion of the Act 2 remediation performed solely at the expense of HCP. 

Under the demonstration project, HCP will place C & D fine materials with approved Regulated Fill material under strict standards and acceptance limits set by DEP to reclaim a pit area that currently presents a major safety risk to the public.

The demonstration project is designed to achieve the following goals:

1.       Demonstrate the potential for the statewide beneficial use of C & D fine materials as valuable materials for reclamation of abandoned mine lands that pose public safety and environmental risks where no funds or responsible parties exist to complete the critical job.

2.       Demonstrate that C & D fine material mixed with Regulated Fill can produce a reclamation mixture that will produce levels of compaction that will support structures for redevelopment projects on Brownfield lands.

3.       Expedite the site reclamation and Act 2 remediation of a critical area by providing an additional high volume, safe material for mine reclamation purposes. 

The Hazleton Reclamation site is an abandoned mine site located directly off Interstate 81 and bounded by Routes 924, 309 and Broad Street.  The site has been severely impacted by past deep and surface mining practices and encompasses more than 277 acres of un-reclaimed, abandoned mine pits and spoil piles. Portions of the site (approximately 50 acres) were previously used for disposal of municipal and industrial waste in several mine pits.  The area is a Brownfield site and has been certified as a Designated Special Industrial Area (SIA) by the Governor of Pennsylvania, giving the site priority attention for remediation.  The site has the capacity to accept over 10 million cubic yards of residual materials to complete the site reclamation.  HCP is authorized to conduct the site reclamation/remediation using DEP-approved residual materials, including regulated fill, clean-fill from construction activities, and river dredge materials.   

Once the primary site is reclaimed, HCP will engage in a larger effort to reclaim 250 acres of abandoned mine land adjacent to the city of Hazleton upon which the company plans to build the Hazleton Performing Arts Center.  The Center will occupy approximately 80 acres in the middle of this site with other commercial development to the north and south. The Performing Arts Center will be a 20,000 seat facility (16,000 fixed, 4,000 lawn) with state-of-the-art offices, crew and dressing / lounge space for artists and their staff. Additionally, the Center will include 50,000 square feet of vendor/commercial space that is under roof in order to be convertible to convention space. This new venue will serve as a catalyst for the city of Hazleton for new economic development and generate increased tourism to Hazleton.  For more information, visit www.hazletoncreekproperties.com.

Mark Construction is widely known and respected for its experience in the development of projects for academic institutions and commercial corporations. The company researches and procures underutilized real estate in urban environments, determines a “best use” for the property, and identifies academic institutions and other business entities that can benefit from expansion into the new area. Mark Construction then provides a variety of services to assist the investor – from standard design/bid/build construction services and project management/administration to full real estate development and planning services.
Among Mark Construction Services’ signature projects are a newly constructed student residence and stunning conversions of existing buildings for student housing, education services and student recreation for Lackawanna College in Scranton, PA. Combined, the five projects were worth nearly $20 million.
The company also recently completed a $5 million conversion of a once blighted single family residence in Scranton into a new Walgreen’s Pharmacy, which has become a linchpin for further development in the formerly depressed and neglected west side of Scranton. The firm recently converted an old, abandoned school into new apartments and townhouses; a project worth $2.5 million.

“NEDCO is proud to be among the first non-profit Community Development Corporations in the country to be able to offer this unique new federal loan program to small business owners,” said William F. Rinaldi, President and CEO of NEDCO.  “This is an affordable economic helping hand for Pennsylvania’s small businesses at a time when they most need it.  We’re delighted that the Ertley Dealership, a respected staple of the Moosic business community, applied and qualified for this unique new loan product.  NEDCO is pleased to have been able to invest in this hometown company’s future growth and prosperity.”

The loans are funded through the sales of debentures, which are sold publicly to investors.  The debentures are 100% guaranteed by the SBA.  The loans are designed for the acquisition of long-term fixed assets, such as land, buildings, machinery, and equipment, and/or the construction, modernizing, renovating, and restoring of facilities.  Loan proceeds may also be used for land and site improvements, interest on interim financing, and professional fees directly attributable and essential to the project.  Refinancing is not a permissible use of the loans.

For a business to be eligible for NEDCO’s SBA-backed loan program, it must be a for-profit corporation, Limited Liability Corporation, partnership, or proprietorship with a net worth (including affiliates) of $6 million or less.  Average net profits after taxes cannot exceed $2 million per year for the previous two years.

For more information on this important new resource for Pennsylvania’s small businesses, call NEDCO’s corporate offices in Moosic, PA at 570-457-6726, or visit the web site at www.nedcocdc.com.

“On behalf of the citizens of Hazleton and especially our seniors who have come to rely so heavily on the center as a social gathering place, I would like to sincerely thank Hazleton Creek Properties and Bill Rinaldi, for this very generous contribution to the Greater Hazleton Senior Citizens Center,” said Mayor Barletta.  “The comfort of the many elderly users of the center is extremely important, especially in these harsh winter months.  Hazleton Creek Properties has long been known for its generosity and this contribution is just another example of the company’s laudable civic pride and commitment.”

“When Mayor Barletta told us about this problem at the senior center, we didn’t hesitate to offer our resources and expertise to install new and vastly improved doorways to the facility,” added HCP’s Bill Rinaldi.  “Our senior citizens deserve our admiration and respect.  Providing them with a greater degree of comfort in their beloved Hazleton community center is the least we could do.”

The mission of Hazleton Creek Properties (HCP) is to improve the quality of life for residents of the Greater Hazleton community.  HCP is currently engaged in a major mine reclamation project that, once completed, will improve the health and safety of Hazleton and enhance the community’s natural beauty.  The firm has already completed an important phase of the transportation infrastructure component of the project through the design and construction of a loading and unloading facility with the capacity to handle up to 80 rail cars.  First and foremost, HCP is committed to protecting the environment and residents of the Greater Hazleton community

“Upgrading and expanding our freight rail lines helps maintain service and also opens the door to grater business opportunities,” the Governor said in a statement.  “These investments will help meet growing demand for freight rail service and also help ease highway congestion by reducing the number of trucks on our roadways.”

The quarter million dollar grant to HCP was welcome news for the company’s President, William F. Rinaldi.  “I want to personally thank Governor Rendell for his unwavering support of this important redevelopment project that will improve the safety and quality of life for the residents of Hazleton.  This company is committed, first and foremost, to protecting the environment and enhancing the natural beauty of this proud community.  Securing the funding support from the state to build the rail infrastructure to transport the clean dredge materials needed to reclaim the dangerous, abandoned mine sites was a critical step in this process.”

The Hazleton Reclamation site is an abandoned mine site located directly off Interstate 81 and bounded by Routes 924, 309 and Broad Street.  The site has been severely impacted by past deep and surface mining practices and encompasses more than 277 acres of un-reclaimed, abandoned mine pits and spoil piles. Portions of the site (approximately 50 acres) were previously used for disposal of municipal and industrial waste in several mine pits.

The area is a Brownfield site and has been certified as a Designated Special Industrial Area (SIA) by the Governor of Pennsylvania, giving the site priority attention for remediation.  The site has the capacity to accept over 10 million cubic yards of residual materials to complete the site reclamation.  HCP is authorized to conduct the site reclamation/remediation using DEP-approved residual materials, including regulated fill, clean-fill from construction activities, and river dredge materials.   

Once the primary site is reclaimed, HCP will engage in a larger effort to reclaim 250 acres of abandoned mine land adjacent to the city of Hazleton upon which the company plans to build the Hazleton Performing Arts Center.  The Center will occupy approximately 80 acres in the middle of this site with other commercial development to the north and south. The Performing Arts Center will be a 20,000 seat facility (16,000 fixed, 4,000 lawn) with state-of-the-art offices, crew and dressing / lounge space for artists and their staff. Additionally, the Center will include 50,000 square feet of vendor/commercial space that is under roof in order to be convertible to convention space. This new venue will serve as a catalyst for the city of Hazleton for new economic development and generate increased tourism to Hazleton.

For more information, visit www.hazletoncreekproperties.com.

Day after day, neighbors in Hazleton, Pa, are starkly reminded of their city’s 150-year tradition of coal extraction. It is, after all, nearly impossible to avoid a crater as massive as 300 contiguous football fields in your own backyard.

To William Rinaldi, however, the gaping maw represents nothing less than a gold mine. The risk-taker is ushering his company, Mark Development, into a first-time venture. He’s investing big dollars toward reinventing this defunct coal mine as a retail center complete with a hotel and an outdoor amphitheater – all accessible to visitors by train.

The entrepreneur expects to start building in about 5 years. It will take that long to fill such a gargantuan hole with 10 million to 15 million cubic yards of mixed byproducts. In September, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection granted Rinaldi’s company permission to use a combination of coal ash, cement kiln dust, lime kiln dust and dredge material.

“The connotation of these materials as waste needs to change,” project consultant Mike McClellan explained during a presentation at the Byproducts Beneficial Use Summit held Nov. 29-30 in Philadelphia.

McClellan, president of Evergreen Environmental Inc., is aware the project has detractors who claim certain materials belong in landfills because they can be environmental and health hazards. But McClellan lauded the Pennsylvania DEP for propelling the Hazleton project forward by acting in 2004 to make coal ash, cement kiln dust, and lime kiln dust and dredge material acceptable statewide for use in mine reclamation. He emphasized that the state is seven years away from maxing out its landfills and lacks the money to restore its 250,000 acres of abandoned mines single-handedly.

“This is not just an environmental project,” McClellan said. “At its core, this is an economic development project. And the beauty of it is that it’s a public-private partnership. Taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for what a company did in 1950.”

Three key ingredients – a can-do mayor, a willing private investor and a progressive regulatory agency – helped to launch the Hazleton project, McClellan said. The price tag could ring in at $50 million, he said.

Under the name Hazleton Creek Properties, Mark Development is leasing the 300-acre site from a newly formed public entity, the Hazleton Redevelopment Authority.

Mayor Louis Barletta is intent on changing the direction of down-on-its-luck, Hazleton, a hardscrabble city of about 25,000 near where Interstates 80 and 81 cross. Right now, its most abundant export is young people in search of employment.

Barletta wants the gateway to his city to be a job magnet instead of a giant scar with vertical pits up to 150 feet deep and tunnels 600 feet below the surface. Mining ceased in the 1960’s, before legislation was adopted making companies liable for cleanup. Later the site became a municipal landfill and a dumping ground for toxic soup of industrial waste.

In addition to filling the hole over the next 5 years, contractors will cap the landfills, restore a creek and wetlands, and halt “acid mine drainage” by keeping surface water out of the pit. Rinaldi and McClellan are installing an on-site laboratory to monitor groundwater. They have vowed to share all test results with the city.

“We’re building a rapport with the community,” McClellan said. “Independent oversight is vital and transparency is key.”

Dredged material from harbors and rivers in Baltimore, New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia will be carted to the site in rail cars. As part of the deal, the city will receive $1 for every cubic yard of dredge. The mayor has earmarked those funds for police and fire protection. After the dredge is hauled in, the railroad tracks will carry commuters, shoppers, and tourists.

“These are people who have a vision,” McClellan said. “They’re taking a liability and turning it into an opportunity.”