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Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport
It was Congressman Kanjorski who helped make flying easier in and out of our community by getting millions for needed improvements to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. The money the Congressman secured helped pay for a new terminal and a new parking garage. Those additions have helped make Northeastern Pennsylvania a first class business location for companies which
need nearby passenger and freight air transportation.
Tobyhanna Army Depot
Congressman Kanjorski has fought to save and create jobs at the Tobyhanna Army Depot, keeping Northeastern Pennsylvania’s largest employer open to receive additional work from closing installations. Tobyhanna currently has more than 4,000 employees with 275 new positions which were relocated from closing bases in 2005. His efforts have retained and secured more than 5,000 jobs at Tobyhanna, the General Dynamics facility in Scranton (formerly Chamberlain Manufacturing), and Specialty Defense Systems in Dunmore.
VA Medical Center
When President Bush tried to close the VA Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, Congressman Kanjorski collected 30,000 names on a petition and saved it from being shut down. He previously led the push for renovations to the Medical Center, which provides quality care for 250,000 veterans who have protected our nation. Veterans have a first rate hospital here because of the $47 million in funding Congressman Kanjorski fought for to keep its doors open.
The Wyoming Valley Levee Raising Project
Even before his election to Congress, Congressman Kanjorski took time off from his private law practice to serve as volunteer counsel and advocate for victims of the Agnes flood. Deeply understanding the importance of this project, he has secured more than $250 million in federal funds for the levees. It is estimated that the levees prevented $1 billion in damages during recent floods and they now provide residents with Agnes-level flood protection. The Wyoming Valley Levee Raising Project has always been a top priority for Congressman Kanjorski.
Earth Conservancy
Congressman Kanjorski obtained $20 million in federal funds for the non-profit charitable organization, the Earth Conservancy. This organization is restoring, preserving and developing more than 16,000 acres of land throughout Luzerne County that was previously owned by a bankrupt coal company. He has also successfully worked to change the Brownfields law to qualify mine-scarred land for federal funds, providing additional support for the Earth Conservancy. To date, the Earth Conservancy has reclaimed over 1,000 acres of former coal lands.
It is because of this record of getting things done that Pennsylvanians can be sure Congressman Kanjorski will continue to deliver on his promises to Northeastern Pennsylvania. For example, the initiative, Wall Street West, is closer to becoming a reality. After September 11th, the Congressman recognized that this region is a perfect location for backup facilities for Wall Street financial firms, and helped bring $15 million in federal funds, half of which has already been allocated to local colleges to develop programs to train financial service workers. Two companies have already located to Scranton, and more are in the planning stages.
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11th District