Schuylkill County's new congressman announced Thursday that his staff will include a senior economic development specialist from Pottsville who worked for his predecessor.
U.S. Rep.-elect Matt Cartwright, D-17, said William Hanley will be in charge of special projects, including grant writing.
Shane Seaver, communications director for Cartwright, said Thursday that Hanley will be working in an office in his hometown.
"We definitely will be opening a Pottsville office," Seaver said.
Hanley has worked for U.S. Rep. Tim Holden, D-17, since he was elected in 1992 to what was then the Sixth District. Redistricting moved Holden, Saint Clair, into the 17th District in 2002.
Cartwright, Moosic, defeated Holden, who was the senior member of the state's congressional delegation, in the April 24 Democratic primary election and then topped Republican businesswoman Laureen Cummings in the Nov. 6 General Election. A lawyer, Cartwright will take office Jan. 3, 2013.
The 17th District includes all of Schuylkill County and parts of Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe and Northampton counties.
Seaver said Hanley has done a lot for the 17th District, especially with respect to bringing in grant money, and should continue to do so.
"It's a big advantage, not only for Schuylkill County ... but also the rest of the district," Seaver said. "He'll be working on the grants for local municipalities and local emergency services groups throughout the district. The main focus there is to work closely with local elected officials to move the economy along."
Cartwright on Thursday announced that his first office will be located at 226 Wyoming Ave., Scranton.
Seaver said Cartwright's other offices will be located in Easton, Pottsville and Wilkes-Barre.
"In the next couple of weeks," Cartwright will be announcing the locations of his other three offices, Seaver said. "We are planning to have all of our offices open by the end of January or the first week of February."
Hanley could not be reached Thursday or Friday for comment.
