There are several reasons why companies should consider opening new locations or growing their business in Erie County, Pennsylvania.
Firstly, Erie County PA offers a business-friendly environment, which is supported by a range of incentives and resources. The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, for instance, offers assistance to businesses looking to expand or relocate to the area.
The Erie County Redevelopment Authority provides access to funding opportunities including loans and grants and site selection among other resources, to support businesses throughout their growth journey.
We have a cluster of makerspaces & university led resources named the BeeHive Initiative to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses at no cost. Additionally, the county’s tax structure is competitive compared to other regions, making it an attractive location for businesses looking to reduce their tax burden.
Secondly, Erie County is strategically located, providing easy access to major cities in the northeast. Erie County is a day’s drive to almost 50% of the US population. With its proximity to Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo, Erie County offers companies a strategic location to serve their customers and clients across the region. The county’s access to major highways, railways, our international airport, and PA’s only Great Lakes port makes it a hub for transportation, logistics, and manufacturing companies looking to expand their operations.
Lastly, Erie County has a highly skilled and educated workforce, which is supported by a range of higher education institutions. These institutions, such as Penn State Behrend, Gannon University, PennWest University, and Mercyhurst University, provide a pipeline of talent to support the county’s growing industries. Erie is also the proud home to the LARGEST medical school in the country, Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM). Furthermore, the county’s workforce development programs, such as the Erie County Technical School, provide customized training and apprenticeships, ensuring that local workers have the necessary skills to meet the demands of today’s job market.
Overall, Erie County PA presents an attractive location for companies looking to expand or relocate their business. With its business-friendly environment, strategic location, and highly skilled workforce, the county offers companies the resources and support they need to thrive and grow.
STRATEGIC LOCATION AND GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY
Erie County PA offers direct access to an extensive network of major roads and highways, Pennsylvania’s only Great Lakes port, easy access to regional and international airports, numerous railroads, and intermodal transportation. Fiber optic broadband now reaches more than 90% of the county and growing. This kind of global connectivity enables endless opportunities to thrive, and you can work remotely from any area of the County!
COMMUNITY PROFILE
Erie County is perfectly positioned to meet the diversity of investor criteria & needs that enables investing with confidence in our region. 50% of the nation’s population is located within 500 miles of Erie – an 8 hour drive. With downtown Erie seeing over $500,000,000 in recent investments (new buildings, museums, food halls, apartments, and infrastructure) , expansive community amenities including our amazing Bayfront, and a strong, diverse economy rich in opportunity, Erie County is primed for investment.
FLOURISHING ECONOMY
Erie County has numerous sectors anchored in the region’s economy. Erie is home to a Fortune 500 Insurance company, Erie Insurance, and the related eco-system of service providers, technology companies and related firms is growing. Additionally, education, healthcare, and tourism industries are world-class and growing. We are deeply rooted in traditional manufacturing including locomotives, forges, and hundreds of machine shops. In addition to being an agriculture hub with thousands of acres of grapes, our strengths in plastics, mold making, and applied technologies are also amongst our region’s distinct advantages.
WORKFORCE AND TALENT PIPELINE
Erie County understands that access to skilled and experienced talent is essential for every investor. Our region offers a wide range of skills training from PA’s newest community college, 4 outstanding academic universities, and America’s largest medical school, LECOM. Working closely with employment service agencies, we can connect your investment interests to the right talent team.
Let’s Connect
We’re here to help you make your investment interests a reality in Erie County PA. Reach out to our Economic Development Team today.