WBRE News’ first Local Business Report helps you stay on top of developments in the Northeast Pennsylvania business community.

From an expanding credit union to a multi-million dollar shopping center we're making local business your business.

WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP --Tobyhanna Army Depot Federal Credit Union is reaching out to serve more customers.

The 22,000 member credit union based in Scranton plans to open another branch in Wilkes-Barre Township this fall.  Groundbreaking will take place in April on land just off Exit 168 of Interstate 81.  Credit union CEO Jim Kanaley says, “our members for years have been asking us when are you going to bring a facility closer to us?"

The new branch is the credit union's fourth.

PLAINS -- A Ford Company big wig makes a trip home to Northeast Pennsylvania.  Scranton-native Charlie Holleran, Vice President and Chief Communications Officer for the automaker, spoke to employees at Coccia Ford in Plains.  Holleran and other company top guns are touring a hundred cities in a hundred days to tell what they call Ford’s story. 

Holleran says he wants to “tell them what Ford is up to. Why we're on the comeback trail.”

MOOSIC --A new era in retailing begins on Montage Mountain.  Last month a new 50 million dollar lifestyle center opened. The Shoppes at Montage boasts fifty stores and restaurants --half of which are new to Northeast Pennsylvania.  They include The Christmas Tree Shop and clothing stores, Jos. A. Bank and Coldwater Creek.

SCRANTON --In downtown Scranton a new addition to the business incubator program may actually help other businesses grow.  It's called Customer For Life--the young firm helps companies increase profits and see results.  The Scranton Enterprise Center nurtures start-ups during its early years.

SCRANTON -The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is looking to honor it's small business of 2007.  Chamber Vice President Jeff Rubel says "the small business of the year award recognizes growth in business, commitment to the community."

You can nominate yourself. For more information call the Chamber at 342-7711 or download an application at www.metroaction.org .