Emerge 2040 is a 25-year strategy to create a more sustainable, resilient, and prosperous Erie County.
The regional plan, which arose from the collaborative, community-wide Destination Erie planning process, identified 42 recommendations within eight topics.
The Emerge 2040 steering committee, led by retired Judge Ernest DiSantis, chair, and Laith Wardi, vice chair, conducted a five-year review to check in on status of the recommendations contained within the plan. The evaluation, delayed by the COVID pandemic in 2020, was completed in fall 2021.
Emerge 2040 Five-Year Status Report:
ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOB DEVELOPMENT
Build an economy with higher growth potential by creating an environment that is conducive to entrepreneurism and entrepreneurial success.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
Groundwork in this area has been done by Innovation Collaborative and the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority’s Ignite Erie program, and new efforts have been heavily marketed by both the county and city governments. New developments since 2015 include the Blasco Library Idea Lab, the NWPA Innovation Beehive Network, Radius CoWork, Erie Tech Incubator, the FIRE Accelerator (formerly the Secure Erie Technology Accelerator), and the Erie County Redevelopment Authority’s StARTup Business Development Awards (funded by a gift from the Edinboro University StARTup Incubator).
Boost the impact of regional tourism as an economic driver by implementing a coordinated strategy to develop, expand, and promote year-round visitor attractions.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
Four-season tourism remains a priority of local organizations. Collaborative tourism efforts include the Port of Erie, the Erie Area Council of Governments, the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail, NWPA Heritage, and Greater Erie Regional Trails. Sports tourism has also accelerated in the region, due largely to the work of the Erie Sports Commission, and bayfront tourism has been seen particular growth since the Emerge 2040 plan was created, including with several new hotels and restaurants, and plans for more.
Create stable, family-sustaining employment opportunities and build wealth by creating and expanding local businesses and pairing them with Erie County anchor institutions.
STATUS: Efforts ongoing
The state Department of Community and Economic Development’s Engage business retention and expansion program, through Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, targets local businesses in the healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and transportation and logistics industries. Analytics from Engage program inform future strategies.
Meanwhile, anchor institutions also growing, as is evidenced by recent expansions at Saint Vincent Hospital, UPMC Hamot, and the Erie Veterans Medical Center; the expansion at Erie Insurance; and new initiatives like the Magee-Womens Research Institute in Erie. The Erie County Redevelopment Authority is also administering two new American Rescue Plan-funded grant programs, New Small Business Grant and Shuttered Venue Grant, to assist local businesses negatively affected by the pandemic. In the City of Erie, Flagship Fund micro-grants are available for small businesses.
Grow the region’s “intelligence and data-mining” industry by capitalizing on existing curricula and faculty at local universities to create a regional multi-institutional center for Applied Information Solutions.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
Local universities have pursued these areas independently, but there has been no cohesive approach. However, cohesion exists among local universities in the Beehive Network, so collaboration on this industry does have a successful blueprint that can be used.
Gannon University’s Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge, Mercyhurst University’s Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences have been launched; Penn State Behrend’s School of Engineering (particularly plastics) and Edinboro University’s Digital Media Production program also represent specialties within local higher education.
Maximize the economic impact of the natural gas industry by supporting local manufacturing of products targeted to the industry’s needs.
STATUS: Efforts ongoing
Regional efforts are being coordinated by Northwest PA Oil and Gas Hub.
Strengthen the regional economy by identifying ways to support and expand traditional local manufacturing sectors.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
The Erie County Redevelopment Authority has been reconstituted and is aggressively packaging loans and grants for local manufacturers and other core sectors, including logistics. The authority is also acquiring and developing strategic land and buildings for potential business attraction and/or expansion. The Erie County Community College and the Northern Pennsylvania Regional College are filling education and training gaps. An in the City of Erie, Flagship Opportunity Zones and the citywide, 10-year LERTA are being used as a resource for business attraction.
In addition, the creation of the Erie County Data Center, housed in the Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development, offers key data to business owners interested in starting or expanding a business.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Create seamless career pathways by creating purposeful education and training to strengthen the local workforce and ensure family-sustaining employment for all residents.
STATUS: Progress made
The regional workforce board, now NWPA Job Connect, has strengthened since the original Emerge 2040 report. Erie Together’s Erie County Career Pathways Alliance is supporting career education in high schools, and Career Street, launched in 2014, has grown into a significant contributor to connecting K-12 students with local businesses. In addition, Erie County Community College and Northwest Pennsylvania Regional College were created to serve the needs of local residents and fill gaps in training for local employers.
Meet the needs of workers, business, and educational institutions by rebuilding the NWPA Workforce Investment Board to coordinate and expand opportunities for career guidance, training, and job placement.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
NWPA Job Connect has secured various grant funds, but regional financing has not to date been expanded.
Build a globally competitive workforce by developing a global education curriculum and diversifying school staffing.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
The community has taken significant steps to embrace diversity, inclusion, and equity into program design and delivery an in staffing patterns. Erie County government has been a leader in such efforts with the creation of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission, using American Rescue Plan funding to stimulate investment in local communities of color. Erie County Redevelopment Authority is increasingly focused on equitable investments and minority hiring, and has also launched a new Diversity Loan Program.
Ensure Erie County children are ready to learn when they enter school by creating countywide access to high-quality early care and education.
STATUS: Efforts ongoing
There is an increased awareness of the importance of high-quality early child care and education, both on a local and national level. However, community-wide investments have yet to occur.
Provide residents of all ages with year-round access to services, amenities, and activities that meet their educational needs by developing a countywide network of community partnerships among schools, universities, local nonprofits, and government agencies.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
United Way of Erie County’s Community Schools program, which has expanded to 11 schools since its launch in 2016, represents success in this area, as does the establishment of the Erie County Community College and the Northern Pennsylvania Regional College.
VIBRANT AND SAFE COMMUNITIES
Help residents shape the future of their communities by expanding efforts that provide resources and support to community organizations developing and implementing neighborhood strategic plans.
STATUS: Progress made
The Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development has expanded and provides significant planning support to municipalities. The City of Erie merged departments to create an office of Planning and Neighborhood Resources, which has three full-time planners with GIS capabilities. And in Edinboro, the borough collaborated with Edinboro University and local businesses to create Edinboro Community and Economic Development Inc.
Municipal comprehensive plans have been developed and implemented. They include: City of Erie/Erie Refocused, Millcreek Township/Embrace Millcreek, Summit Township, Albion Borough, and Greene Township. Plans are in progress in North East Borough, North East Township, and the City of Corry.
Neighborhood plans have been developed and implemented. They include: Erie Downtown Master plan, Our West Bayfront Community Plan, Erie Port authority Master Development and Facilities Plan, East Bayfront Neighborhood Strategic Plan, Downtown North East Revitalization Plan, Union City Historic Preservation Plan, Downtown Girard Master Plan, Academy and Marvintown Neighborhood Plan, Active Erie Multi-Modal Plan, Fairmount-McClelland Neighborhood Plan, and Corry Community Strategic Plan.
The Erie Neighborhood Growth Partnership, created by the City of Erie and the Erie Redevelopment Authority, brings together neighborhood groups in the city to work on community-wide issues.
Defend neighborhoods and communities against decline by adopting a regional strategy to address decaying and abandoned properties through data collection, code enforcement, and creation of a housing court.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
The City of Erie has created a citywide property conditions assessment incorporated into a GIS system for on-going analysis. This survey is used to establish policies, advance funding requests, and measure success in neighborhood-level and blighted property issues.
Housing condition surveys have been completed in the City of Erie, the City of Corry, Albion Borough, Millcreek Township, Greene Township, and North East Borough. The surveys evaluate the condition of housing stock for purposes of improved blight mitigation measures.
The establishment of a housing court is a priority of the City of Erie that will be researched for 2022.
Relevant private activity is evident in the creation of the Erie Downtown Development Corp., which has purchased and renovated prominent downtown real estate as part of a revitalization strategy.
Help homeowners maintain, improve, and upgrade their homes for the future by establishing a clearinghouse that provides connections to technical assistance and funding for home repairs and energy efficiency improvements.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
The City of Erie’s recent Housing Plan has been submitted to the Erie Redevelopment Authority for funding. The plan includes a request for $15 million for eight programs, including homeownership incentives, housing rehab, blight demolition, and preservation grants. The city also has created a homeownership program for low-income families with HOME and PHARE funding.
In Corry, the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority has awarded $190,000 to upgrade 42 local homes. Matching funds of up to $5,000 has leveraged even more local investment.
Make Erie County communities more safe and secure by building the capacity of law enforcement agencies to prevent crime and violence.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
The City of Erie has implemented diversity training for Erie police and is hiring a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consultant to review existing policies and programs within the city. The city also was awarded a $900,000 grant from the Department of Justice to research and implement a crime reduction strategy on the lower east side, and is studying community policing efforts using American Rescue Plan funding. In addition, the city created a Strengthening Police and Community Partnership group that is working toward bringing public safety and community together.
Give municipalities a tool for rehabilitating or repurposing vacant, tax-delinquent, or blighted properties by establishing a community land bank.
STATUS: Progress made
The Erie County Land Bank, established in 2018, receives $1 million annually from Erie County gaming revenue. The Erie County Land Bank also manages Act 152 demolition funds, which collect $15 from each deed and mortgage recorded to be used for the demolition of blighted properties. The city’s Erie Land Bank, created in 2016, receives funding from the Erie County Land Bank.
Land Bank funding is supported by the 50 percent of a property’s tax revenue shared by the county, municipality, and school district for five years after the property has been put back into productive use.
Action has also been taken on blight mitigation. The Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development provides blight mitigation planning to county municipalities as part of its municipal planning assistance program. To date, blight mitigation has been incorporated into municipal comprehensive plan updates in Albion Borough and Greene Township, and blight mitigation planning is in progress in North East Borough and North East Township. In addition, Corry has developed the Corry Blight and Redevelopment Plan.
Expand housing choices for all residents by addressing the underlying issues that create barriers to housing diversity in neighborhoods throughout the county.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
Albion Borough’s LERTA ordinance provides a tax incentive to promote improvements to its housing stock, and Corry has crafted a residential LERTA program that is being advanced. The Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development, in providing professional planning and consulting services to municipalities, encourages plans and zoning amendments that support improved housing choice and diversity.
In addition, the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority’s use of county gaming funds as a tool to revitalize neighborhoods and fight blight have expanded to include the Renaissance Block Program and the Anchor Building Program.
LAND USE, TRANSPORTATION, AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Expand transportation alternatives and lower Erie County residents’ transportation costs by improving the public transit system countywide.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
Improvements at EMTA point to significant achievements in this area. Developments include a mobile app to track bus information, expanded routes (including daily routes between Corry and Erie and a route to improve access to the Erie County Department of Health), and a recently completed transit service study. CARES Act funding and additional pandemic-related federal funding will supplement improvements.
The formation of the Great Lakes Rail Alliance is also putting attention on the promotion of passenger rail service in Erie County.
Empower Erie County’s businesses and residents to connect and compete globally by ensuring access to broadband internet service.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
Erie County’s broadband initiative provides information on services, including coverage maps, for the use of all county residents. The county also assisted with the Northwest Commission’s Community Technology Action Plan. Additional funding is expected from the state and from the federal infrastructure bill.
In private sector developments, Armstrong announced plans to use government grants and its own funds to extend high-speed internet to rural area of Erie County, with franchise agreements made at the municipal level. The Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development has assisted municipalities in updating municipal ordinances to ensure that they meet the needs of wireless companies, whose facilities are regulated by the FCC and the state.
Ensure Erie County’s communities have the capacity and expertise they need to make the best decisions for their future by providing municipal planning assistance.
STATUS: Progress made
The Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development has become a vital resource for municipalities, offering them planning services at no cost. This includes providing assistance with developing municipal plans, zoning ordinances, land development ordinances, GIS analysis, and other services. In addition, Erie County’s updated Future Land Use Plan map is a decision-making guide to be used by municipalities regarding infrastructure investments and zoning and land use decisions.
While not specifically designated in the Emerge 2040 plan, the county’s adoption of the $5 vehicle registration fee provides assistance to municipalities in improving roads and bridges.
Improve transportation mobility and access by optimizing traffic signal efficiency and providing multi-modal connections.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
The Erie County Traffic Signal Improvement Plan is being implemented on a municipal basis.
Expand opportunities for healthier transportation options for Erie County residents by developing and linking the region’s network of trails.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
Erie County’s Parks, Trails and Recreation Plan, adopted in 2020, promotes and prioritizes funding for the county’s greenspaces and trails. The county is developing plans to create a position for a greenways coordinator.
The county has been making inroads in the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail, and Dobbins Landing was established as the trail’s mile marker zero in 2021. An Appalachian Regional Commission grant will be used to reroute the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail to traverse Erie County, rather than western New York.
Erie County’s Long Range Transportation Plan, adopted in 2017, includes plans for pedestrian and bicycle transportation infrastructure. In other action, PennDOT completed a District 1 Bicycle Plan in 2020. The City of Erie, Corry, and Union City have all completed Active Transportation Plans.
Improve economic competitiveness of local industries by providing enhanced multi-modal freight access.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
The Port of Erie completed a master plan in 2018, and has hired a consultant to conduct an economic opportunities assessment. PennDOT completed a State Rail Plan in 2020. Both of these will inform multi-modal freight access in Erie County.
ENVIRONMENT
Protect Erie County’s character, quality of life, and natural habitats by creating a dedicated funding stream to preserve open spaces.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
The Erie County Greenways Program, which distributes money from the Marcellus Legacy Fund, will use the county’s Parks, Trails, and Recreation Plan to prioritize future allocations.
Organizations working on preservation and preservation funding include the Lake Erie Region Conservancy, Pennsylvania Sea Grant, and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. In addition, Millcreek Township’s comprehensive plan includes sustainable stewardship as one of five focus areas.
Several programs in the Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development continue to toward the preservation of open spaces. The Erie County Agricultural Land Preservation Program, as of 2021, has preserved 78 farms in 16 Erie County municipalities, for a total of 9,301 acres. The Erie County Coastal Zone Management Program works to conserve and protect coastal resources. And Keep Erie County Beautiful, which formed in 2017, works to preserve our natural environment by education and collaboration with Erie County residents.
Protect vital natural resources and improve the region’s resiliency in the face of climate-related issues, by developing an Erie Climate Action Plan.
STATUS: Efforts ongoing
Although no formal Erie Climate Action Plan has been developed, efforts in the community have worked to address climate-related issues. CRANE, the Community Resilience Action Network of Erie, acts as a climate action committee.
In addition, Erie County and the City of Erie led other partners in creating the Erie 2030 District, a collaborative effort to create a high performance building district—meeting goals to reduce energy use, water use, and transportation emissions.
Other efforts include the state Department of Environmental Protection’s 2021 Pennsylvania Climate Plan and the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Plan, released in 2018.
Ensure local leadership drives Erie’s energy future by establishing a renewable energy accelerator.
STATUS: Efforts ongoing
While work continues to formalize renewable energy plans, including the establishment of a renewable energy accelerator, some independent actions have been taken in this area: Private solar energy projects are being developed for two locations in Erie County; Erie County adopted the C-PACE program in 2021, helping commercial property owners access long-term loans to pay for renewable energy systems; and Erie County is a member of the Lake Erie Energy Development Company, or LEEDCo, which is on track to launch commercial operations of a wind farm in the Ohio waters of Lake Erie by the end of 2022.
Speed Erie County’s transition to more sustainable, cost-effective options by creating a green infrastructure matching grant program.
STATUS: Efforts ongoing
Efforts will continue to identify and establish a dedicated funding stream for a green infrastructure program.
Protect the rich cultural and environmental resources found in Lake Erie and on Presque Isle and elevate their international profile by seeking national and international designations reflecting their importance.
STATUS: Efforts ongoing
The effort to create a Lake Erie Quadrangle National Marine Sanctuary continue, with the application remaining at the federal level. In 2021, the application was renewed to remain under consideration.
Presque Isle State Park, the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Tom Ridge Environmental Center all work to protect the region’s resources. In addition, the Erie County Cultural Heritage Plan encompasses both Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay resources as well as agricultural assets.
ARTS, CULTURE, AND RECREATION
Amplify the impact of the region’s arts and culture sector by implementing Erie County’s Cultural Master Plan.
STATUS: Efforts ongoing
Erie Arts & Culture has championed many of the recommendations of the Cultural Master Plan, as have other organizations. Collaborations between related organizations, including the creation of a centralized calendar to share events, are under development. A dedicated funding stream and increased private fundraising would, of course, help with implementation of the plan, particularly with the development of cultural centers. However, some funding opportunities from organizations like the Erie County Redevelopment Authority and Bridgeway Capital, represent positive developments in this area.
Revitalize Erie County’s communities by nurturing the economic and cultural contributions of our immigrant populations.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
Erie County continues to be welcoming to New Americans, and their appreciation has grown for their contributions to our community. In the City of Erie, evidence of this can be seen by a multicultural marketplace at CelebrateErie, diverse offerings in a new food hall, and pursuit of a Welcoming City designation. In addition, recent research from the Economic Research Institute of Erie examines contributions of Erie County’s immigrant population.
Ensure the region’s cultural assets are not lost by creating a historic preservation plan for protecting and appropriately reusing Erie County’s historic properties.
STATUS: Progress made
Preservation Erie, in partnership with the Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development, developed a countywide Cultural Heritage Plan, implemented as part of the county’s master plan.
Position Erie County to its greatest advantage as a tourism destination by creating a cultural tourism plan that leverages the region’s assets, history, and past and current role as a community of diverse nationalities.
STATUS: Efforts ongoing
While cultural tourism is a draw in Erie County, the development of a cultural tourism plan has not been undertaken and would require a dedicated funding source.
COMMUNITY HEALTH
Make Erie County’s communities and residents healthier by establishing a broad, active, and accountable community health partnership focused on implementing and periodically reassessing the Community Health Improvement Plan.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
The most readily apparent progress on this goal is in the collaboration that brought the Blue Zones Project to the City of Corry, with opportunities to expand. Community partners convened around Blue Zones as a means of achieving long-elusive health goals in Erie County. While COVID-19 overshadowed this work, the partnership that came together to fund the initiative – particularly generous contributions from UPMC Hamot, Saint Vincent Hospital and Highmark Health, and Corry Memoral Hospital, affiliated with LECOM Health – have signaled a cohesive community strategy.
Blue Zones results can be used to assess progress in the latest Community Health Improvement Plan.
Achieve better health outcomes regionwide by ensuring that all Erie County residents have access to high quality primary medical and dental care.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
Data shows that coverage gaps continue, but efforts are being undertaken to improve access to medical and dental care. The Erie County Department of Health has added dental services for underinsured or uninsured residents, including teledentistry for children. United Way of Erie County’s Community Schools address vision, medical, and dental care for children.
Ensuring adequate access to medical care for all residents is an ongoing challenge, despite the prevalence of health-care facilities in the region—largely concentrated in the City of Erie. Addressing barriers like transportation and lack of insurance coverage, as well as health literacy, are needed to improve access.
It should be noted that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted progress in this area, as with everything. However, if a silver lining can be found, it is in the collaborative efforts of local health-related organizations to inform the community and improve health literacy, particularly around issues of prevention and vaccination.
Provide Erie residents with better access to healthy and local food options by supporting local agriculture and “buy local” initiatives to eliminate food deserts and other barriers to healthy diets.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
The Food Policy Advisory Council has been established to address these issues in the Erie area. The group capitalized on public interest but added a focus on evidence-based strategies. A food policy committee, as part of the Blue Zones Project, is addressing the same issues specifically in the Corry area.
In addition, the Erie County Department of Health has several initiatives promoting healthy, accessible food. An interactive map online shows Community Gardens and Farmers Markets, and a list identifies neighborhood corner stores committed to providing healthier food options.
Engage and incentivize Erie companies, organizations, and residents in creating a healthier region by beginning a health and wellness accreditation program.
STATUS: Efforts ongoing
The Blue Zones Project has largely taken the place of the establishment of any local health and wellness accreditation program. Businesses, schools, and worksites will work toward achieving Blue Zones-approved status.
REGIONAL COLLABORATION AND LEADERSHIP
Improve the ability of Erie’s water and sewer utilities to support development and protect the environment by creating a peer-to-peer exchange to coordinate planning and identify opportunities to share resources.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
Erie Water Works acquired the Millcreek Water Authority to promote a larger, regional water utility. North East Borough and North East Township are exploring the merger of their respective sewer and water authorities.
The Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development has been assisting municipalities in complying with MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) requirements.
Engage the talent and commitment of Erie County residents by cultivating civic involvement.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
Several leadership programs exist and have expanded. The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership has an Erie Ambassador Program. The Youth Leadership Institute of Erie engages high school students. The Jefferson Educational Society’s Civic Leadership Academy has expanded to include Raimy Fellowships.
Promote municipal cost savings and support regional assets by improving collaboration among municipalities.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
The revitalized Erie Area Council of Governments has been an active advocate for municipal cost savings. In 2016, EACOG completed a strategic plan, which led to growth in programming and membership – now at 20 members, as compared with nine members in 2015. EACOG’s colocation with the Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development facilitates collaboration and shared efforts to support municipalities. EACOG members have discussed future opportunities for programming and collaboration, including expanded joint bidding and multi-municipal grant seeking.
Realize the potential of Erie’s Great Lakes location by undertaking a city-led, multi-jurisdictional and collaborative update of the Erie Waterfront Master Plan.
STATUS: Efforts ongoing
PennDOT released the Bayfront Parkway Feasibility Study in 2017, and the project was fully funded this month. In addition, the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority released the Bayfront Master Plan in 2017. The plan covers the bayfront span of Port Authority assets. Scott Enterprises’ Harbor Place master plan, announced in 2013, has since led to construction of a new hotel. Erie Events unveiled the GAF site master plan in 2016.
Enhance community safety by creating a framework for regional coordination of public safety and emergency preparedness efforts.
STATUS: Progress made; efforts ongoing
The Erie County Department of Public Safety reestablished a Public Safety Advisory Committee, who provide recommendations for needed public safety programs. A subgroup of the committee, working in conjunction with the Erie Area Council of Governments, has formed to address the steady decline of emergency services personnel. The recruitment and retention subcommittee, as well as the EACOG and Erie County, are supporting pending legislation that would allow the county and/or municipalities to form a public safety authority for the coordination of service delivery, including administrative and financial services related to EMS and fire services.
Other Department of Public Safety initiatives also deserve mention. That includes improving conditions for first responders through the Next Generation Public Safety Radio Project (though it is not part of the Emerge 2040 plan, it did arise from Destination Erie planning) various efforts, including a mobile app for first responders and text-to-911 options for citizens, contribute to overall progress as well.
Ensure the collaborative and implementation of regional strategies by organizing a Lake Erie Tri-State Alliance.
STATUS: Efforts ongoing
While no formal alliance has been organized, regional strategies are taking hold in various ways around Erie County. For example, the Erie County Redevelopment Authority has pulled together public financing operations under one umbrella, the Office of Capital Finance and Lending, creating a one-stop shop for businesses.
Other regional strategies include the Erie County Data Center, which operates through the Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development and is funded by Erie County, the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, the Erie County Redevelopment Authority, and the City of Erie. The Data Center provides up-to-date information on workforce, facilities, logistics, industry trends and more—all information vital to business owners and entrepreneurs.