An $8 million grant provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, will help Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services develop buildings at a faster pace in Phase II of CrossRoads East Business Park.

Mericle Vice President of Growth and Strategy Kevin O’Boyle played a key role in securing the grant.

“This grant from the Governor’s PA SITES program is a strong endorsement of the significant economic development benefits that Phase II of CrossRoads East Business Park will bring to Greater Hazleton and Luzerne County,” O’Boyle said. “The $8 million award will allow us to accelerate the development of public roadway and utility infrastructure, pulling forward the attraction of new businesses by several years.”

Phase II of CrossRoads East involves the construction of 15 speculative industrial and flex buildings totaling nearly 7 million square feet, with the potential to create 2,700 to 3,800 quality jobs in the sectors of advanced manufacturing, logistics, and life sciences.

Phase II of CrossRoads East involves the construction of 15 speculative industrial and flex buildings totaling nearly 7 million square feet, with the potential to create 2,700 to 3,800 quality jobs in the sectors of advanced manufacturing, logistics, and life sciences.  Several of the sites are able to be served by rail via Norfolk Southern.

The buildings in Phase II will range from 72,000 square feet to more than 1.1 million square feet.

“The activity you see today along Route 424 is Phase 1 of CrossRoads East, which has been under development for more than a year,” added O’Boyle.  “Sitework began in July 2024, and vertical construction is now underway on three speculative industrial buildings. Phase I will deliver 10 buildings totaling more than 2 million square feet and is expected to generate more than 800 quality jobs.

O’Boyle said the buildings in Phase I will range from 66,000 square feet to 450,000 square feet.

“We thank Governor Shapiro’s office, PA DCED, the Hazle Township Supervisors, and our local legislative leaders, Representative Dane Watro and Senator Dave Argall, for lending their support to this important economic development project,” said O’Boyle.

CrossRoads East Business Park is among the largest industrial parks under construction in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The park is located in Hazle Township, Luzerne County with immediate access to Exit 141 of Interstate 81.  Interstate 80 can be accessed in 10 minutes.  All buildings constructed in CrossRoads benefit from a 10-year, 100% real estate tax abatement on improvements via the LERTA program.