Editing Hazle Township, Pennsylvania (section)

===20th century===
[[File:Laurel Mall Hazelton, PA (16621521093).jpg|thumb|[[Laurel Mall (Pennsylvania)|Laurel Mall]] in Hazle Township]]
The population of Hazle Township peaked at nearly 15,000 residents in the early 20th century. By the 1940s, the population began to dwindle; this was the result of the declining coal industry. Many mines closed in the 1940s and 1950s. Many residents were forced to seek jobs elsewhere.

Although the region was in the midst of an economic recession, local leaders were determined to turn the economy around. CAN-DO (Community Area New Development Organization) was formally organized in 1956 by founder Dr. Edgar L. Dessen. It was founded to bring new industry into the area. Their first priority was to raise money—through their "Dime a Week" campaign—in which area residents were encouraged to put a dime on their sidewalk each week to be collected by CAN-DO.

The company raised over $250,000 and was able to purchase over 500 acres (2.0 km2) of land, which was converted into an [[industrial park]]. CAN-DO was responsible for establishing the Valmont, Humboldt, and McAdoo industrial parks. CAN-DO also founded a white-collar business park in the late 1990s; it was named the CAN-DO Corporate Center, located in nearby Drums. Today, retail development and housing construction are on the rise in Hazle Township.