Wilkes Barre Metropolitan Development Corporation (Wilkes Barre Metro) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit recognized and registered with the IRS with all donations being tax deductible in accordance with your accountant. 

Wilkes Barre Metro undertakes voluntary endeavors to create economic growth, to host events for the community celebrating the legacy of individuals, to embrace historic influencers and to preserve the historic architecture of our area. 

Wilkes Barre Metro’s executive board oversees endeavors that are supported by advisory boards that have direct oversight for certain areas of our mission.

A Low Power FM radio license was granted a construction permit and Wilkes Barre Metro was recognized by the FCC as a worthy community non-profit to award such a license.  WBWE LPFM was put on the air located at 97.5 FM for the Wilkes Barre community. The radio station also celebrates the inventor of radio by Wilkes Barre’s own, Father Joseph Murgas.

Wilkes Barre Metro’s Film Office works with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and other statewide film offices to help promote the growth and jobs created in the film industry working directly with major producers and studios from Hollywood to New York City and also assists many smaller film producers. Wilkes Barre has deep roots in the movie industry. The Mankiewicz family – pioneers in the Hollywood movie industry as screenwriters and producers have a family connection to Wilkes Barre – especially Joseph L. Mankiwicz being born in Wilkes Barre. Jack Palance, a Hollywood favorite, was born, raised and maintained a home in the Wilkes Barre area.  Lyman H. Howe a pioneer in movie production maintained his studios and mansion on Riverside Drive in Wilkes Barre.

Projects like Planters Peanuts have been sustained by Wilkes Barre Metro’s perseverance, interest and endeavors for preserving the historic significance of Mario Peruzzi and Amedeo Obici – owners and founders of Planters Peanut and Chocolate Company. Wilkes Barre Meto continues to look for support for obtaining ownership of the original corporate offices of Planters Peanuts on South Main Street to create a museum and contribute a landmark to help tourism.

Other projects that Wilkes Barre Metro has continued to promote and will continue to pursue investment and growth in an advanced digital broadband network with fiber optics including the network support of a data center on the core twenty block grid within the City of Wilkes Barre through abandoned city steam pipes, manholes, and central office. Additionally, the unique location of a Wilkes Barre Metro building is located directly above flooded abandoned coal mines make a feedstock for Rare Earth Elements while clarifying Acid Mine Drainage.

With the Covid pandemic, WB Metro has taken the lead in educating and training various segments of the economy to preserve jobs and helping our area as well technically supporting on a national level with the rollout of CovidSafe(TM) training and certifications with Ready Training Online – view more on COVIDSAFE.US.