Luzerne County Council to Vote on Tax Break for Wilkes-Barre Twp. Project

Bluecup Ventures LLC seeks extension on 10-year property tax exemption for planned $50 million warehouse development.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 1:12pm

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A minimalist studio still life photograph featuring a stack of architectural blueprints, a hardhat, and a tape measure arranged on a clean white background, conceptually representing the planning and construction of a new industrial development project.A new industrial development project in Wilkes-Barre Township aims to transform a mine-scarred site into a modern logistics hub, though the path to approval has faced some local scrutiny.Wilkes-Barre Today

Luzerne County Council will vote on Tuesday to extend the deadline for a property tax break that would benefit Bluecup Ventures LLC's planned $50 million, 937,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center in Wilkes-Barre Township. The initial tax-break agreement approved in 2022 required construction to start within three years, but that period lapsed due to litigation. Under the proposed resolution, construction would have to begin by the end of 2027 for the 10-year, 65% tax exemption on the added property value to take effect.

Why it matters

The tax break, approved through the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Act, is intended to spur investment in deteriorated properties. While some council members have questioned the need for such incentives, the project is seen as an opportunity to redevelop a mine-scarred site and generate significant new property tax revenue for the county, township, and school district.

The details

Bluecup Ventures is planning a $50 million, 937,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center on a 70-acre site alongside Interstate 81 off of Johnson Street in Wilkes-Barre Township. The project would increase the property's assessed value from $26,000 to $56 million. Under the proposed 10-year tax break, Bluecup would pay 35% of the increased value, resulting in $840,000 in additional annual property tax revenue. After the tax break expires, the property would generate $2 million per year in taxes.

  • Luzerne County Council plans to vote on the tax break extension on Tuesday, April 12, 2026.
  • The initial tax-break agreement approved in 2022 required construction to start within three years, but that period lapsed due to litigation.
  • Under the proposed resolution, construction would have to start by December 31, 2027, for the 10-year tax exemption to take effect.

The players

Bluecup Ventures LLC

The developer planning a $50 million, 937,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center in Wilkes-Barre Township.

Luzerne County Council

The governing body that will vote on whether to extend the deadline for the property tax break for the Bluecup Ventures project.

Wilkes-Barre Area School District

The school district that has agreed to extend the deadline for the tax break along with Luzerne County and Wilkes-Barre Township.

Wilkes-Barre Township

The municipality where the Bluecup Ventures project is located and has also agreed to extend the tax break deadline.

Frank Hoegen

The attorney representing Bluecup Ventures LLC.

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What they’re saying

“The project is almost shovel ready.”

— Frank Hoegen, Attorney, Bluecup Ventures LLC

“This is a hot place to invest and these extra incentives that we put out there are a lot of times not necessary.”

— Harry Haas, Councilman

“It's not like bartering at a retail outlet.”

— Frank Hoegen, Attorney, Bluecup Ventures LLC

What’s next

Luzerne County Council will vote on the proposed resolution to extend the tax break deadline for the Bluecup Ventures project on Tuesday, April 12, 2026.

The takeaway

The Bluecup Ventures warehouse project represents an opportunity to redevelop a mine-scarred site in Wilkes-Barre Township and generate significant new property tax revenue, though some local officials have questioned the need for tax incentives to spur such investment in the region.