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Oyster House Park, at the site of the old J.B. Robinson Oyster House in Seaford, is now open on the Nanticoke River.

The first of four construction phases was recently completed, allowing the public to access an extended riverwalk, fishing nooks, entertainment deck, short-term boat docking facilities and a kayak launch.

“This investment will not only draw people to the waterfront to enjoy the natural beauty of the river but also to Seaford’s downtown businesses,” said Seaford Mayor David Genshaw. “We believe this park will have a significant economic boost to not only our downtown but will also impact future investments along the waterfront.”

DOWNSTREAM: New park coming to Seaford is one-of-a-kind on the Nanticoke River

Future construction phases, to be completed over the next five years, include:

• Phase Two: Construction of 75-seat amphitheater and overflow lawn with room for 200, which will tie into the entertainment deck. Landscaping and water quality enhancement projects.
• Phase Three: Construction of visitors center, a scaled-down replica of the J.B. Robinson Oyster House. Building will include restrooms, information and historic exhibits and space for meetings, classes and similar events.
• Phase Four: Construction of a pavilion and a “tribal council ring” for Nanticoke Indian ceremonies, as well as path and walkway improvements. 

RELATED: Work begins on Seaford’s eco- and family-friendly Oyster House Park

The $1.2 million project will focus on enhancing access to both the Nanticoke River and the city of Seaford along the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (also known as the Chesapeake Trail).

It’s funded by a mix of government and nonprofit money, with the Chesapeake Conservancy playing a pivotal role.

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Shannon Marvel McNaught covers Sussex County and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com.

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Jul. 3—NANTICOKE — State Sen. John Yudichak Wednesday said the strength of Pennsylvania’s technology infrastructure directly impacts our ability to compete for private capital investment, attract new companies, and create 21st century jobs.

Yudichak, I-Swoyersville, said the state is failing to attract major data center developers.

“That’s because our tax policy is driving development and private capital to other states,” Yudichak said. “The passage of the state budget demonstrates Pennsylvania is stepping up and competing for high-wage technology jobs, and establishing an economic game plan to attract the world’s tech giants to Pennsylvania.”

Yudichak announced that several initiatives in the 2021-2022 state budget package will help Luzerne County and northeastern Pennsylvania continue to recover from the economic impact of COVID-19 by setting the stage for private sector job growth.

Earlier this year, Yudichak was named the Chairman of the Senate Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee, which has broad oversight of the Commonwealth’s community and economic development programs.

Yudichak said he collaborated with State Rep. Donna Oberlander and Sen. Scott Hutchinson — the primary sponsors of legislation to provide a sales and use tax exemption for the development of computer data centers — to form a coalition of organized labor and the technology industry that successfully advanced House Bill 952.

Yudichak said the legislation will position Pennsylvania to compete for billions of dollars and thousands of jobs in the construction of enterprise data centers.

Local Share Account — Luzerne County

As part of the Fiscal Code (HB 1348), Yudichak said changes are being made to the Luzerne County Local Share Account Program. He said the changes will create an innovative public-public partnership between the Commonwealth and Luzerne County to fund much needed public infrastructure projects that will improve public safety and enhance the county’s ability to attract large economic development projects.

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Local Resource Manufacturing Tax Credit Changes

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What began as a standalone community hospital on East Mountain Drive in Plains Twp. has transformed into a regional medical center with a mission to make better health easier for residents of Luzerne County and beyond.

Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

Its history traces back to 1981 when three hospitals merged into the one that would modernize health care delivery in Northeast Pennsylvania.

Originally NPW Medical Center, a consolidation of Nanticoke, Pittston and Wyoming Valley hospitals, the health care facility was renamed Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center shortly after opening, as Geisinger joined the collaboration after Nanticoke’s withdrawal.

Geisinger recently received five-star status from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid as it celebrates its four decades of service to the community.

It is the highest quality and patient safety score bestowed by the organization, putting the medical center among the top 14% of hospitals in the country.

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, the rating is based on five categories: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience and timely and effective care.

Dr. Karlyn Paglia, chief medical officer at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, said Geisinger Wyoming Valley is the only CMS five-star hospital in Northeast Pennsylvania.

“We are proud to provide care of unsurpassed quality to residents of the region,” Paglia said. “With a full spectrum of services available to our patients and members, we look forward to caring for our community for many more years to come.”

Andy Carter, president and CEO of the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, said Geisinger is a “leading contributor to health care and insurance coverage” throughout much of the state.

“Geisinger has fostered innovation and played a central role in improving access to quality health care,” Carter said. “They are one of the nation’s few fully integrated health systems that brings insurance…

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