HUMBOLDT - Coca-Cola's plans for building a facility in Humboldt Industrial Park have been put on hold, according to sources familiar with the project.
But the president of CAN DO Inc., the local economic development organization, said he's hopeful the firm will revisit its plans, as CAN DO and community leaders have taken steps to ensure infrastructure is in place since the firm bought land a few years ago.
"It's just their decision at this point," said W. Kevin O'Donnell, CAN DO president. "We're on their clock, basically."
O'Donnell confirmed the world-renowned soft drink maker has at least temporarily delayed plans for developing property in Humboldt North. The Hazleton Standard-Speaker reported in 2006 and 2007 that Coca-Cola purchased 165 acres in Humboldt and planned to build what officials termed "a noncarbonated beverage plant."
Since buying the land, Coca-Cola has inquired about water supply and sewage capabilities, which are available along with other amenities that would accommodate the plant, O'Donnell said.
"The rail, the gas (lines and) the road connections are there for them," he said. "We're very hopeful (they move forward)."
Another source who is familiar with the project and Coca-Cola's infrastructure inquiry said the firm gave no site-specific reasons for putting the project on hold. The decision was not because Coca-Cola was more interested in developing at an alternative site, the source said.
"They didn't pick another site over us," said the source, who asked to remain anonymous because of the sensitive nature of negotiations. "They are putting the project on hold worldwide. It's on hold indefinitely."
Coca-Cola sent representatives from a facilities solutions firm to evaluate the Humboldt site. Those officials also had extensive talks with the Hazleton City Authority about its water sources, water quality and the amount of water the firm would likely need. The inquiry prompted the authority to hire a firm to conduct a rate analysis.
Documents obtained by the Standard-Speaker state that the facilities solutions firm notified both CAN DO and the authority of Coke's decision.
"At this time, Coca-Cola has elected to place the project on indefinite hold," according to an email that the third-party Coke representative sent to local officials. "This is not unusual with projects of this scale due to the magnitude of capital investment, the geographical location of the site and current distribution costs associated with this location. Kindly express our appreciation for the support and courtesy the many members of the local community have shown during our recent visits to the Greater Hazleton area."
Coca-Cola's North American media representatives on Tuesday did not respond to an email seeking comment on the project.