The Honesdale National Bank Announces Retirement of President

William Schweighofer, Chairman of the Board for The Honesdale National Bank announced today that Thomas E. Sheridan, Jr.  the Bank’s President and CEO will retire from his more than 40 years in banking effective February 2025. Kate Bryant has been named his successor and will serve as the Bank’s first female president and CEO as the next step in her more than 20-year career with HNB.

Tom Sheridan, outgoing President

In making the announcement, Schweighofer stated, “Tom Sheridan has truly helped shape the strength and stability of The Honesdale National Bank over his extensive career with us, and the Board is truly grateful for his leadership.” He continued, “Kate Bryant holds the leadership, character, and expertise to continue the Bank’s mission forward and we will surely see her succeed in this new role.”

“HNB has an outstanding history in our local area, and I am truly grateful for having been given the opportunity to contribute to our Bank’s growth and success,” said Sheridan. “Kate’s leadership will undoubtedly aid the Bank in continuing to support the evolving needs of our customers, communities, and the interests of our shareholders.”

“Since 1836, The Honesdale National Bank has built a legacy of serving our employees, customers, shareholders, and community and it is an honor and privilege to lead the continuation of these values well into the future,” said Bryant. 

Bryant has served as the Bank’s Chief Financial Officer since 2016, through which she is responsible for managing the financial analysis, risk, planning, and performance of the bank and helps enable its strategic directives. She had been previously promoted to Senior Vice President, CFO in 2020 and Executive Vice President, CFO in 2023.

Bryant began her career in the financial industry in 1999, starting in the banking industry in 2003. She joined HNB in 2004 in the Accounting Department and helped shepherd the development of accounting and Bank Security Act (BSA) functions.

Bryant resides in Honesdale, and is a graduate of Honesdale High School. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Finance and Minor in Economics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She later received her Master of Business Administration from Villanova University. Her professional accolades include certifications from the ABA Wharton Leadership Lab, Financial Managers School, Chamber Leadership Wayne, the Penn State Supervisory Program, and PBA School of Banking, She has been recognized as a Dress for Success Lackawanna Woman of Impact as well as a NEPA Business Journal Top 25 Women in Business.

Outside of the bank, she serves on the board of trustees for the Wayne County Community Foundation, Wayne Memorial Hospital, and as a board member for the Chamber of the Northern Poconos. She actively volunteers with Honesdale Friends of Football, Herd the Curd 5K/10K committee, and the Wayne County 4-H program. She has formerly served on the boards of the Wayne Memorial Hospital Foundation and Wayne County Public Library. In her spare time, she can be found spending time with her sons Abraham and Caleb, and husband, Zack.

PennDOT Announces ‘Innovations Challenge’ for High School Students

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that high school students from around the state are invited to participate in the eighth annual PennDOT Innovations Challenge, which encourages students to use their problem-solving, creative and strategic-thinking abilities to solve real-world transportation challenges in a competition among their peers. The Innovations Challenge is open to all students in grades 9-12, regardless of their school’s learning model.

On average, more than 350 unrestrained fatalities occur on Pennsylvania’s roadways annually. PennDOT is committed to continuously improving roadway safety and deploys a multi-faceted strategy, which involves promoting behavioral programs and implementing infrastructure improvements. Nevertheless, the number of unrestrained fatalities remains high and changing driver and passenger behavior is crucial to solving this issue.

For this year’s challenge, students are asked to develop a cost-effective, innovative solution that can help PennDOT more effectively increase awareness of seat belt safety and change behavior to improve roadway safety.

“Safety is the focus of everything we do at PennDOT, and seat belt safety is vital to reducing fatalities and moving toward zero deaths on our roadways,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Hearing fresh perspectives from our youngest drivers on how to encourage seat belt usage and change behavior is a welcome prospect. I am excited to see what concepts the students develop.”

Regional Innovations Challenge winners will be selected and invited to present their solutions to the PennDOT Secretary and a panel of judges, who will determine the statewide winner. For this year’s challenge, four different organizations are providing a combined total award of $6,000 to the statewide winning team. 

These organizations include: the Transportation Policy and Education Foundation, an educational arm of the Associated Pennsylvania Constructors (APC) organization; the American Council of Engineering Companies of PA (ACEC/PA); the Mid-Atlantic Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (MASITE) and the Intelligent Transportation Society of Pennsylvania (ITSPA) are providing a combined 

For complete Innovations Challenge details, visit www.penndot.pa.gov/innovation and click on the blue Innovations Challenge tile on the right side of the page. The submission deadline is Jan. 31, 2025.

Marywood’s Maria MacDonald to Present Keynote at Greater Erie Awards

Maria MacDonald, a practicing interior architect and Program Director of Interior Architecture at Marywood University, will give a keynote presentation at this year’s Greater Erie Awards, sponsored by Preservation Erie, on October 10. In addition to her role at Marywood, Ms. MacDonald also serves as the Executive Director of the Center for the Living City, the only urbanist organization founded by Jane Jacobs.

Ms. MacDonald specializes in adaptive reuse, preservation, and restoration projects, as well as creative civic engagement. With over 25 years of experience, she partners her professional practice with her teaching. Ms. MacDonald has been a team leader for many significant community projects throughout her career. As an educator, her intense focus is on service and community outreach, providing community-based, experiential learning opportunities for her students and the people in the communities where they work.

Ms MacDonald holds degrees in both Architecture and Interior Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design, where she received the Excellence in Design award for her work on the “Reclamation of Forgotten Spaces.” She is a founding faculty member of Marywood University’s School of Architecture and has served as the Interior Architecture Program Director for the past 15 years. She has successfully guided the program through two full NASAD accreditations. With her integrative, holistic design approach, Ms. MacDonald works to strengthen the relationships between the allied design disciplines and the people and environments where we live, work, play, and, ideally, thrive.

Preservation Erie’s annual Greater Erie Awards acknowledge individuals, businesses, and organizations that are exceptional stewards of the physical and cultural landscape that is Greater Erie and includes a keynote by a distinguished urban planner, historic preservationist, or a similar professional. There are eight recipients of this year’s Greater Erie Awards. The event will be held October 10 at 6 p.m. at the Erie Center for Arts & Technology.

Lackawanna College Recognized as a “2024 Great College to Work For”

Lackawanna College Joins the Ranks of the Nation’s Top Institutions

For the second year in a row, Lackawanna College is recognized as one of the nation’s top workplaces in higher education by the 2024 Great Colleges to Work For® program.

The results, released today in a special edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education, are derived from a comprehensive survey encompassing 216 colleges and universities nationwide. Of those, only 75 institutions achieved the distinction of being named a “Great College to Work For,” based on their practices and policies. Results are reported by institution size, and Lackawanna College was recognized in the small college category, which includes schools with enrollments between 500 and 2,999 students.

This year, Lackawanna College won honors in two recognition categories:

  • Job Satisfaction & Support: Recognizes institutions where employees have high job satisfaction, feel supported and have the resources to succeed.
  • Mission & Pride: Highlights institutions where employees understand the mission, take pride in their work and recommend the college as a great place to work.

“Receiving recognition once again as a ‘Great College to Work For’ is a profound honor and a reflection of our collective efforts to build an exceptional workplace. This recognition highlights the dedication, passion, and enthusiasm that each team member brings to our organization. It is not just a reflection of our workplace culture but a celebration of the values we uphold and the commitment we share to support and inspire our students, and each other, every day.”  Lackawanna College President and Chief Innovation Officer Jill Murray, Ph.D., said.

The rankings are the result of a two-part assessment process: an institutional questionnaire that gathers detailed information on employment data and workplace policies, and a survey distributed to faculty, administrators and professional support staff. The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was the employee feedback.

“Earning this distinction once again is a powerful affirmation of the dedication our employees demonstrate each day in embodying our mission. We are committed to providing high quality education to our students and working to improve our surrounding communities. This honor is a direct result of their hard work and their commitment to making our mission a reality, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved together,” Vice President for Human Resources Renee Mundy, Esq., SPHR, SHRM-SCP said.

About the Great Colleges to Work For® Program

The Great Colleges to Work For® program is one of the largest and most respected workplace recognition programs in the country. For more information and to view all current and previous recognized institutions, visit the Great Colleges program website at GreatCollegesProgram.com and GreatCollegesList.com. ModernThink, a strategic human capital consulting firm, administered the survey and analyzed the results.

Geisinger – How to Perform a Self-Breast Exam

How to perform a self-breast exam
Know exactly what to do, and what to look for, so you can keep on top of your health.
Dr. Rebecca Jordan, general surgery, breast, Geisinger

Life can get busy, but you’re never too busy to take a moment to check on your health. A monthly, at-home breast exam is just one of the many ways you can keep on top of any changes with your body.

Along with your regular mammogram, monthly breast self-exams give you the opportunity to check for variations in skin texture, bumps or changes in your breasts.

But, exactly how do you do a breast self-exam?

Performing a breast exam at home

It’s a good idea to align these monthly self-exams with your menstrual cycle. Choose a time when your breasts are the least tender or swollen. The best time is often the week after your period ends.

Looking at a mirror, keep your arms at your sides to start. And remember that the key to these exams is to look for any changes compared to the previous month. You’ll begin your self-exam by looking for any visual changes in your breasts’ appearance.

Visual changes in your breast appearance may include:

  • Puckering or dimpling of the skin
  • Changes in your breast size
  • Nipple inversion

Next, lie down to spread out your breast tissue to make it easier to feel for any bumps or lumps. Take your time as you feel around your breast and stick to a pattern — such as moving clockwise or up and down.

Use the pads of your fingers to feel around, use different levels of pressure and gently squeeze your nipple to check for discharge.

Examine your entire breast before moving to your other side and make sure to feel around your armpits, because your breast tissue extends up to that area.

You can also perform a self-exam in the shower, using soap so your fingers glide up and down your skin more easily.

When should you call your doctor to schedule a mammogram?

Remember, just because you feel a lump or have any symptoms doesn’t mean you have breast cancer. But it’s always a good idea to follow up with your doctor to rule it out.

Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you notice any of the following:

  • A hard lump in your breast or underarm
  • Bloody nipple discharge
  • Changes in your breast size
  • Nipple inversion
  • Pain redness, warmth or swelling in your breast
  • Puckering or dimpling
  • Scaly skin
  • Sores or rashes

At this appointment, your doctor will perform an external breast exam, like the one you get at your annual appointment. In some cases, they may recommend additional testing.

For younger people, we may only recommend an ultrasound. Other times, we may recommend a magnetic resonance imagining test — or MRI — which can help when there have been no findings through other imaging tests but other symptoms present, including nipple discharge.

Your doctor may even recommend a mammogram, especially if you have dense breasts or a lump that requires further testing. A mammogram, or low-dose X-ray exam of your breasts, will allow your doctor to detect any changes in your breast tissue that can’t be detected during a breast exam.

You’ll be scheduled for either a screening mammogram or a diagnostic mammogram to determine the cause of your symptoms and come to a diagnosis.

Remember that keeping on top of your health, including scheduling regular mammograms and self-exams, is important to detecting signs of breast cancer at their earliest stages — when they are easiest to treat.

By following these steps each month, you’re doing just that — taking steps towards your healthiest self.

To learn more about breast cancer care at Geisinger, visit geisinger.org/breastcare.

Geisinger – What Can Raise Your Risk of Breast Cancer?

What can raise your risk of breast cancer?
While you can’t control all your risk factors of breast cancer, you can arm yourself with knowledge. Better-informed health decisions, like taking preventive measures, could reduce your risk.
By: Rebecca Jordan, DO, general surgery, breast, Geisinger

Breast cancer is one of the better-known conditions because it’s relatively common. It’s likely you or someone you know — a friend, family member, neighbor or coworker — will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Fortunately, you can take charge of your breast health now to help change the direction of your narrative and keep your breast cancer risk as low as possible. While breast cancer can’t always be prevented, regular screenings and healthy lifestyle choices can reduce your risk. 

The important first step is arming yourself with knowledge and the right resources to help prevent breast cancer or catch it in its earliest stages when success rates are higher. When you know your risk factors of breast cancer, you can make informed health decisions and take preventative measures by changing elements in your environment and lifestyle.

Modifiable risk factors of breast cancer

Modifiable risk factors are those you can control. You can modify lifestyle choices like diet, physical activity and alcohol consumption. Scientists don’t know what causes breast cancer. But they do know positive changes in your environment and daily habits can reduce your breast cancer risk.

Maintain a healthy weight and eat a balanced diet

Being overweight or obese is a known breast cancer risk factor. Exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins to lower your risk. Limiting your intake of processed food, sugar and red meat may also be beneficial.

Stay physically active

Because a sedentary lifestyle increases your risk of breast cancer, aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise (brisk walking, swimming or biking) or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise (running or aerobics) each week.

Limit alcohol consumption

The more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk of breast cancer. If you choose to drink alcohol, limit the amount to no more than one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men.

Quit smoking

Smoking cigarettes, being around secondhand smoke or using other tobacco products are known risk factors. The harmful chemicals in tobacco can increase your risk of breast cancer, especially when you use or are exposed to them for long periods of time.

Limit exposure to certain chemicals and pollutants

Exposure to harmful substances, such as pesticides — especially DDT — industrial chemicals, plastic that contains BPA and even some beauty products that include parabens, can increase your risk of breast cancer. However, more research is needed in this area.

Understand the impact of your reproductive history

Childbirth can affect your risk, too. Factors that increase your risk of breast cancer include becoming pregnant for the first time after age 30, not breastfeeding and never giving birth at all. 

Avoid hormone replacement therapy

Hormone replacement therapy is used to relieve symptoms of menopause and help prevent osteoporosis. But according to research, taking some forms of hormone replacement therapy, especially those that combine estrogen and progesterone, for more than five years during menopause can raise your risk of breast cancer.

If you’re considering hormone therapy, talk to your doctor about the benefits versus risks to decide if it’s right for you.

Can deodorant cause breast cancer?

Because underarm antiperspirant or deodorant is applied near the breast, some fear that the potentially harmful ingredients in these products, such as aluminum compounds or parabens, might be absorbed into the body, disrupt hormone levels and lead to breast cancer.

Research on this topic is limited, but the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute state there is no convincing scientific evidence to support the claim that deodorant or antiperspirant use increases the risk of breast cancer.

While concerns about deodorant and antiperspirant use persist, focusing on known risk factors and taking appropriate steps to maintain breast health are the most important things you can do to reduce your risk. 

Can birth control cause breast cancer?

Many studies have found consistent evidence that women who use birth control pills that contain both estrogen and progesterone have a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer. This is especially true if they have used them for longer than 10 years.

We know that estrogen and progesterone stimulate the development and growth of some cancers, but studies vary on the true risk of these medications. Fortunately, research also shows us that once the pills are stopped, the risk for breast cancer seems to return to normal within about 10 years.

If you’re considering oral contraceptives, talk to your doctor. They can guide you based on your medical history, risk factors and birth control preferences. Weigh the risks versus benefits with a healthcare professional to decide what’s best for you.

Nonmodifiable risk factors of breast cancer

Nonmodifiable risk factors are those beyond your control, including your age, gender and family history of breast cancer. Although you can’t change these risk factors, being aware of them can help you and your healthcare provider make informed decisions about screening and risk management.

Nonmodifiable risk factors of breast cancer include:

  • Your age, especially if you’re older than 50
  • Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
  • Inherited genetic mutations, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2
  • Dense breast tissue
  • Early menstruation (before age 12) and late menopause (after age 55)

Reducing your risk factors of breast cancer

Now you know what changes to make in your environment and daily habits to reduce your modifiable risk factors. But don’t forget about screenings and early detection strategies. They’re crucial in the fight against breast cancer.

Regular breast cancer screenings, such as mammograms and clinical breast exams, can help detect the disease in its early stages when it’s most treatable. If you’re in your 20s or 30s, start getting a clinical breast exam every one to three years when you visit your primary care provider or gynecologist. Before turning 40, talk to your doctor about risk factors that determine how often you should have a screening mammogram. The American Society of Breast Surgeons recommends women of average risk start annual screening mammograms at age 40.

Do you know you have nonmodifiable risk factors for breast cancer, such as a family history or genetic mutations? Your doctor can make personalized recommendations for earlier or additional breast screening and discuss options for risk reduction, such as medications and preventive surgeries.

Early detection is the best protection: The five-year survival rate is highest for early-stage breast cancer. Understanding your unique risk profile, you can work with your healthcare team to develop a personalized plan for early detection and risk reduction — and beat the odds if you’re diagnosed.

To learn more about breast cancer care at Geisinger, visit geisinger.org/breastcare.

2024-25 Educator in the Workplace Announces New Cohort

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce’s workforce development affiliate, Skill in Scranton, announces the 2024-25 Educator in the Workplace (EIW) cohort.

Designed to bridge the gap between education and industry, EIW fosters collaboration between educators, school leadership, and officials to local businesses to enhance classroom instruction, student learning, and workforce readiness.

The cohort welcomes a diverse group of participants, including K–12 educators, school counselors, administrators, adult program teachers, school board directors, superintendents, and principals from across northeastern Pennsylvania.

Cohort participants are as follows:

  1. Bonnie Baker, Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County
  2. Lisa Bath, Abington Heights School District
  3. Joanne Beauvais, Merakey Education Center
  4. Gena Bensinger, Northeast Intermediate Unit 19
  5. William Buza, Mid Valley School District
  6. Amy Capman, Mid Valley School District
  7. Jessica Capwell, Northeast Intermediate Unit 19
  8. Brian Carey, Scranton School District
  9. Tara Carey, Scranton School District
  10. Mary Kate Culkin, Scranton School District
  11. Arianne DelSordo, Old Forge School District
  12. Kaylee Dunning, Carbondale Area School District
  13. Terri Erdmann, Forest City Regional School District
  14. William Freeman, Lakeland School District
  15. Dalyana Gillette, Scranton School District
  16. Nanine Gramigna, Scranton School District
  17. Andrea Gross, Scranton School District
  18. Lynn Harding, Scranton School District
  19. Jennifer Herman, Scranton School District
  20. Ryan Hnat, Scranton School District
  21. Maria Hurst, Scranton School District
  22. Jessica Judge, Scranton School District
  23. Jane Kabuiku, SCI Waymart
  24. Christine Kallinger-Allen, Abington Heights School District
  25. Stephanie Klinkel, Scranton School District
  26. Samantha Krenitsky, Scranton School District
  27. Shannon Kuchak, Lackawanna Trail School District
  28. Melissa Lavelle, Old Forge School District
  29. Christopher Lazor, Riverside School District
  30. Buford Lively, Northeast Intermediate Unit 19
  31. Emily Lutz, Scranton School District
  32. Laurie Marino, Valley View School District
  33. Katie McCarthy, Scranton School District
  34. Christine Menichini, Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County
  35. Marie Merkel, Scranton School District
  36. Sandy Morahan, Forest City Regional School District
  37. Landon Morey, Montrose Area School District
  38. Janelle Nestrick, Scranton School District
  39. Jessica Norris, Scranton School District
  40. Kathleen Nycz, Old Forge School District
  41. Carm Perri, Carbondale Area School District
  42. Cynthia Petrucci, Scranton School District
  43. Amy Petty, Abington Heights School District
  44. Gabrielle Pidgeon, Carbondale Area School District
  45. Sheri Ransom, Mountain View School District
  46. John Ray, Scranton School District
  47. Kayla Record, S.E.E.D. Planning Group
  48. Kerri Ruddy Archer, Scranton School District
  49. Kylene Sautner, Scranton School District
  50. Bernadette Schumacher, Mid Valley School District
  51. Renee Vigil, Forest City Regional School District
  52. Shauna Williams, Blue Ridge School District
  53. Tim Wolff, Scranton School District
  54. Marc Wyandt, Lakeland School District

The Chamber and Skills in Scranton leadership congratulates each member of the cohort and looks forward to their positive impact on the community’s education landscape. The educators will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with local businesses and industry leaders, gaining firsthand knowledge to inspire and prepare their students for today’s and tomorrow’s workplace.

The Dime Bank Supports Pocono Environmental Education Center

The Dime Bank is proud to announce a $9,000.00 donation to the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit to support their hands-on environmental education programs for local school students.

“The Dime Bank is committed to supporting initiatives that promote environmental education and sustainability,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich. “We believe that investing in the future of our planet is essential, and PEEC’s programs are a valuable resource for our community’s young people.”

PEEC’s mission is to inspire, educate, and empower people to care for the natural world. Through their innovative programs, students have the opportunity to explore the wonders of nature, learn about environmental issues, and develop a deeper appreciation for the planet.

Director of Development Amanda Subjin stated, “We are so thankful for the support of The Dime Bank through the EITC program. The majority of the funding we receive through these donations is dedicated towards providing hands-on environmental education programming to local school students either by visiting their classroom or when they come to PEEC for a field trip. How exciting for students to connect with their local national recreation area!”

PennDOT Invites Pennsylvanians to Share Feedback on Construction, Maintenance Services

The statewide survey is available until October 22.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is accepting construction and maintenance services feedback through an online survey. The public can take the survey through October 22 by visiting 2024 PennDOT Construction/Maintenance Customer Satisfaction Survey.  

Construction and maintenance work has been underway across the state this year. From January through August, 303 bridges were put out for bid to be repaired, replaced, or preserved by PennDOT or industry forces. Additionally, from January through August more than 3,100 roadway miles were improved by department or partner crews. This includes 1,114 miles of paving.

“PennDOT is working hard for Pennsylvanians every day, and work on our roads and bridges is one of our largest services in our communities,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “This survey is one way the public can help us find successes, potential improvements, or educational opportunities.”

The 24-question survey asks respondents how they receive PennDOT roadway information and how often PennDOT meets or exceeds expectations in construction and maintenance activities. Respondents are also asked about experiences with reporting concerns to the department, and whether or how they use the state’s 511PA traveler information services.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts

Comcast Expands Fiber-Rich Network to Homes and Businesses in Northeastern Pennsylvania

Comcast Breaks Ground on Construction to Extend Xfinity Network in Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill Counties.

After announcing its expansion to more than 12,000 homes and businesses in other parts of Luzerne Countyearlier this year, Comcast today announced it is extending its fast, reliable and secure broadband network to more parts of Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill Counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania including additional homes and businesses in Banks, Blythe, Butler, East Norwegian, Hazle, Kline, Rush, and Schuylkill Townships as well as McAdoo, Middleport, New Philadelphia, and Tamaqua Boroughs. Construction is underway to deliver access to Xfinity and Comcast Business products, including Xfinity Internet and Mobile, and Comcast Business Internet and Mobile, with full project completion anticipated in 2026.  

“As a lifelong Schuylkill County resident and farmer, I’m proud to see Comcast bring its fast, reliable Internet to more local homes and businesses,” said Barron L. “Boots” Hetherington, Chair of the Schuylkill County Commissioners. “We are thrilled Comcast is expanding its network throughout Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill Counties, helping our local communities to harness the power of connection.”  

The first residents and businesses will be connected to Xfinity and Comcast high-speed broadband later this year and can visit Xfinity.com/MyTown and enter their addresses for additional details on construction timing and upcoming service availability. 

“We are focused on expanding access to our fast, reliable and secure broadband network to as many Americans as possible, including more residents and businesses in Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill Counties,” said Ricky Frazier Jr., Senior Vice President, Comcast’s Keystone Region, which is based in Pennsylvania. “Our communities deserve the best WiFi experience both inside and outside of the home, and we look forward to providing these local communities products and services on the nation’s largest, fastest network.”  

This network expansion comes after a series of local Comcast capital investment projects this year including the completion of construction to connect 3,500 more homes and businesses in parts of East Norwegian and New Castle Townships, and Palo Alto, Port Carbon, and St. Clair Boroughs as well as connecting more than 26,000 homes and businesses in the City of Wilkes-Barre, Hanover, and Wilkes-Barre Townships, and Ashley, Sugar Notch, and Warrior Run Boroughs. 

Comcast currently serves more than 80 municipalities across Carbon, Luzerne and Schuylkill Counties. In addition, the company has installed two Lift Zones in Luzerne County at the Greater Pittston YMCA located at 10 North Main Street, Pittston, PA 18640, and Lehman Sanctuary at 261 Jackson Road, Shavertown, PA 18708 as well as a Lift Zone at the Salvation Army Corps Pottsville located at 400 Sanderson St., Pottsville, PA 17901 in Schuylkill County. 

Lift Zones provide free WiFi service to help these community centers promote digital learning. Lift Zones, which provide Internet access on-the-go, complement our Internet Essentials program that provides in-home broadband connectivity. Lift Zones help students, veterans, and anyone who, for a variety of reasons (including homelessness, or housing insecurity issues), need somewhere to go during the day to connect to the Internet. Lift Zones are part of Project UP, Comcast’s comprehensive $1 billion commitment to help build a future of unlimited possibilities and the continuation of the company’s long history of giving back to communities where it provides service and where its employees live and work.