INNOVATION: Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber Deepens commitment to NEPA
Apr. 27—WILKES-BARRE — Lindsay Griffin-Boylan, president and CEO of the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce, said as the Chamber enters the final year of its 2023 — 2025 strategic plan, the organization is deepening its commitment to regional collaboration, workforce development and innovation across Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Griffin-Boylan said through multifaceted community collaborative initiatives in 2025, the Chamber is focusing on key economic development goals to enhance competitiveness, quality of life, and long-term economic sustainability in the region.
"The organization's priorities center around four pillars — workforce pipeline development, business and community advocacy, regional collaboration, and quality of life enhancement," Griffin-Boylan said. "Collectively, they form a blueprint for regional prosperity built on innovation."
Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Griffin-Boylan said recognizing the shift toward knowledge-based industries and tech-driven solutions, the Chamber launched the Connect Program — an entrepreneurial support system providing free, centralized access to business development services.
As part of this effort:
—Connect Spotlight engages local students, entrepreneurs and industry leaders across sectors through a quarterly speaker series.
—Connect Pitch introduces startups to a regional investor network via showcase events.
—Connect Learn links students to workforce resources through partnerships with education and industry.
—Connect Honor builds meaningful relationships and networking opportunities between resource organizations and local veterans to become more acclimated within the business community.
—TechCelerator @ Luzerne County, supported by Microsoft TechSpark, offers a bootcamp for early-stage tech entrepreneurs.
—TechCelerator @ Luzerne County, one of the flagship programs under the Chamber's innovation umbrella, is redefining NEPA's startup culture. The 10-week accelerator program offers bootcamp-style training for early-stage tech entrepreneurs, complete with one-on-one mentorship and pitch showcases to connect innovators with investors. The program is structured in one (1) cohort consisting of 8 early-stage Luzerne County business participants, and the first cohort group in 2025 ran from January-April 2025.
"We're not just nurturing businesses — we're cultivating a mindset of innovation" said Shanie Mohamed, director of economic development for the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce. "TechCelerator brings together our entire local entrepreneurial ecosystem and gives startups the tools, the space, and the support to thrive right here in NEPA."
The TechCelerator @ Luzerne County program is run in partnership with Greater Hazleton CAN DO/CAN BE Innovation Center, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of NEPA, tecBRIDGE LLC, Wilkes University Small Business Development Center, Wilkes-Barre Launchbox, and Hazleton Launchbox.
Other Chamber-led efforts, including Connect Pitch, Connect Learn, Connect Spotlight, and Connect Honor, provide entrepreneurs, students, and industry leaders with forums to collaborate, network, and develop scalable business ideas.
The Connect Program itself functions as a centralized gateway for business development in the region, offering free access to customized resources such as business planning, funding pathways, transportation strategy, and academic-industry partnerships.
With a growing ecosystem of tech entrepreneurs and education-industry partnerships, the region is evolving into a knowledge-driven & innovation economy.
"The Chamber works towards providing the programming and resources to further this momentum," Griffin-Boylan said. "With our future generations being the most entrepreneurial we will ever see, these efforts are also critical to retaining our younger demographics and offering them the education and opportunity to start and launch these future businesses right here in our region."
Building Tomorrow's Workforce Today: Luzerne Learns to Work
Griffin-Boylan said the Chamber's Luzerne Learns to Work program is addressing NEPA's most urgent economic challenge: talent retention and workforce development. With labor force participation rates improving but gaps in key sectors — like health care, skilled trades, and STEM — persisting, the program provides high school students with early access to training, career exploration, and professional development tools.
Using platforms such as LinkedIn Learning and Metrix Learning, along with collaborations with local libraries, colleges, and employers, Griffin-Boylan said the initiative is preparing students not only to enter the workforce—but to lead it.
"By empowering students to explore career options while they're still in school, we're not just preparing them for jobs — we're helping retain talent right here in Luzerne County," Griffin-Boylan said.
Students can access virtual coursework, local job shadowing opportunities, work-based learning programs, and scholarship opportunities. According to recent feedback, students appreciated the access to centralized and practical information about future careers and gained access to skill-building resources and pathways into in-demand fields.
Griffin-Boylan said the program is part of a broader strategy to create a sustainable talent pipeline, beginning as early as middle school and extending into post-secondary training and professional placement within the region. The long-term goal is to build a stronger local workforce that begins its journey in middle school and remains in the community to fill critical roles in healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and more.
Additionally, volunteer councils and workforce participation programs are being promoted to root young professionals in the region, encouraging long-term retention.
The program was built by in partnership with the Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18, The Institute, PA CareerLink Luzerne County, the Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Investment Board, Junior Achievement of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Leadership Northeast, LinkedIn Learning, the Luzerne County Library System, Luzerne County Community College, and various career exploration and workforce development agencies in NEPA.
The program is funded through the Neighborhood Assistance Program, through funding provided by Building Blocks Learning Center, Colours Inc. and Fidelity Bank.
Regional Collaboration: From Strategy to Synergy
The movement towards regional innovation is supported by strategic collaboration across counties and sectors. In 2024 alone, Griffin-Boylan said the Chamber hosted over 50 events, attracting more than 3,000 participants from the business, nonprofit, and government sectors across the region and in partnership with various Chamber and economic development partners.
These gatherings served as platforms for professional development, networking, and strategic planning, underscoring the Chamber's emphasis on cross-sector collaboration.
Initiatives like Project Elevate — a forthcoming regional hub and community space in Wilkes-Barre and the future home of the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber's offices — aim to house workforce training, entrepreneurship support, education and economic development services under one roof.
"Our approach is rooted in partnerships," said Griffin-Boylan. "Whether it's working with other Chambers and economic development partners, educators, government, or industry leaders, we're aligning resources to solve the biggest challenges facing our region."
The collaborative approach extends to public-private workforce initiatives and efforts to streamline access to business development tools through a referral system of partner organizations. By coordinating efforts with entities and organizations such as Junior Achievement, CareerLink, and The Institute as well as state and federal resources, Griffin-Boylan said the Chamber ensures its initiatives are both scalable and sustainable.
Quality of Life and Regional Competitiveness
The Chamber has also supported several community-focused efforts to boost quality of life, a crucial factor in attracting and retaining talent in the region. Investments in downtown revitalization, arts, and tourism are helping and will continue to be key in attracting new residents and remote workers while retaining our graduates.
According to the 2024 Indicators Report by The Institute, visitor spending across NEPA's three counties exceeded $2.3 billion — demonstrating the economic ripple effect of cultural and recreational development.
The Chamber's strategic alignment with partners like DiscoverNEPA and our County Visitors Bureaus aims to sustain and increase this momentum.
Other efforts include marketing and resource development for new residents and businesses relocating to the area for a comprehensive guide and focus on the strengths of our community and why Northeast PA is a great place to live, work and enjoy a positive quality of life.
Economic Outlook for NEPA in 2025: A Region Reimagined
Griffin-Boylan said the region was recently named one of the top 10 in the nation for economic development by Site Selection Magazine. Much of this growth is attributed to the region's central location — within a day's drive of one-third of the U.S. population — as well as its reliable infrastructure and skilled labor force. With its central location and strong collaborative networks, Griffin-Boylan said NEPA is positioned to capitalize on new investment and emerging industries well into the next decade.
In key sectors like health care, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and technology, employment is expected to rise. State and local leaders are doubling down on workforce development programs, including apprenticeships, technical training, and entrepreneurship education, which aligns with the Chambers current programming and partnerships.
As the region continues adapting to a knowledge-based economy, emphasis on education, healthcare, technology, and logistics will shape its growth trajectory.
Key trends include:
—Labor Market and Education and Skills: As employment remains strong, demand for specialized talent — particularly in health services, IT, and skilled trades — remains high. Workforce development programs as discussed will be essential in bridging these gaps. An emphasis on certifications, apprenticeships, and digital literacy — especially in middle and high schools — will strengthen our workforce competitiveness and prepare us for the future.
—Technology, Industry and Entrepreneurship: With global trends favoring automation and digitization, regional efforts to equip workers with STEM skills and tech literacy are expected to remain a focus. The startup ecosystem needs to continue expanding through accelerators, mentorship, and investor access. Programs like TechCelerator will likely yield an increase in business launches and more tech-sector jobs.
—Revitalization and Infrastructure: Downtown revitalization and strategic infrastructure investments including public/private partnerships will help to drive local economic activity. Tourism continues to be a significant contributor, with visitor spending exceeding $2.3 billion across three counties as mentioned.
—Quality of Life and Economic Vitality: Enhancing cultural, recreational, and housing opportunities remains crucial for retaining young professionals and attracting remote workers. Continued investment and focus on tourism, arts, and quality-of-life initiatives will make the region more attractive for both residents and businesses.
"With focused cross-sector collaboration, Northeastern Pennsylvania has the tools, partnerships and vision for sustained economic momentum through 2025 and beyond,: Griffin-Boylan said. "As we navigate an ever-changing economic landscape and map the future of the area, innovation will be a key driver to ensuring our community's success."
Guided by that vision, Griffin-Boylan said the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce is championing innovation to lay the foundation for regional growth, and through strategic partnerships and forward-thinking initiatives and the Chamber will proudly continue empowering businesses, enhancing quality of life, and shaping a vibrant and competitive region here in NEPA.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
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