A Five-Year Vision for Growth: Scranton Plan 3.0 Launches with $2M Regional Investment

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, together with its divisions The Scranton Plan, Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company (SLIBCO), and Skills in Scranton, will officially kick off Scranton Plan 3.0 on Thursday, January 29, at Weiss Hall on the campus of the University of Scranton This event marks the beginning of the public phase of a $2 million capital campaign to support strategic workforce and economic development programming across the region.

Funds raised through the Scranton Plan 3.0 campaign will support a comprehensive, five-year initiative focused on three core priorities: attracting, retaining, and aligning talent; driving business development through strategic marketing; and directing strategic development and community planning. Together, these efforts are designed to strengthen the region’s competitive position and guide coordinated investment and decision-making.

The kickoff event will bring together regional business and community leaders to outline the vision, goals, and long-term impact of Scranton Plan 3.0.

“The Scranton Plan 3.0 is a call to action for our business, civic, and community partners to lead with purpose,” said Pete Danchak, PNC regional president for Northeast PA, PNC Bank, and co-chair of The Scranton Plan. “By aligning workforce development, business investment, and community priorities, this plan creates a clear, measurable roadmap for growth—one that positions Northeastern Pennsylvania to compete, adapt, and thrive over the next five years.”

Speakers at the event will include:

• Marianne Gilmartin, Esq., chair of the board, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce
• Bob Durkin, president, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce
• Grace McGregor Kramer, co-chair, Scranton Plan
• Pete Danchak, co-chair, Scranton Plan

Scranton Plan 3.0 builds on decades of collaborative leadership and positions the region to respond proactively to evolving workforce, business, and community needs through focused, data-driven strategy.

Grace McGregor Kramer, vice president of strategy and operations, McGregor Industries, Inc., and co-chair of Scranton Plan, shares, “This is an exciting and historic opportunity to bring our community together around a shared vision for the future.” McGregor Kramer adds, “The Scranton Plan 3.0 will help guide smart growth, strengthen our workforce, and ensure Scranton remains a great place to live, work, and build what’s next!”

“Developed through extensive collaboration with public and private stakeholders, The Scranton Plan 3.0 is designed to be nimble, measurable, and responsive to real-time employer needs,” said Bob Durkin, president of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. “The plan builds on the success of prior Scranton Plan and Skills in Scranton initiatives in areas such as workforce and infrastructure readiness, while addressing emerging issues such as childcare, housing, and transportation availability.”

The Scranton Plan was established in 1945 by local business leaders as a strategic initiative to grow Scranton’s economic base, create jobs, and coordinate community investment—efforts that led to the formation of SLIBCO and Lackawanna Industrial Fund Enterprises (LIFE). Retooled as The Scranton Plan 2.0 in the mid-1980s as the economic development marketing division of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, it has become an award-winning driver of regional growth. Today, The Scranton Plan continues to tackle key challenges and drive sustainable economic growth through focused, strategic initiatives.