#MyErie: Rising Above Adversity
In March, my colleague Kim Thomas wrote about Erie’s remarkable revitalization efforts and its long-term vision. And seemingly every day, we hear great news coming out of Erie — thanks to its passionate, loyal residents and advocates. It is beyond inspiring to see a community rally so readily in response to negative press and widespread misconceptions.
Don’t believe me? Watch this compelling video below, which showcases Erie’s grassroots #MyErie campaign, and you’ll see for yourself that Erie is a city that’s on the rise, with remarkable collaboration, cooperation, and cohesiveness.
“Whatever adversity Erie may be facing, its people have mobilized, and they’re fervently fighting back against negative misperceptions about their city.”
Whatever adversity Erie may be facing, its people have mobilized, and they’re fervently fighting back against negative misperceptions about their city. And we at DCED are thrilled and honored to be along for the ride.
We’ve rounded up some of the recent, positive press Erie has earned, and we know it’s just the beginning. Take a look at all of the good news:
The Atlantic’s dynamic duo James and Deborah Fallows coin Erie as the American city representing the movement of resilient people reinventing their towns, noting the “civic fabric” that is holding this community together.
In the latest segment of Marketplace’s ongoing series about Erie, young entrepreneurs explain why – and how – they want to see their hometown rebound. Sean Fedorko relocated from Washington D.C. back to Erie and launched the town’s first co-working space. Tammy Lyn Fox is converting a former restaurant into a culinary incubator. Jessica Yochim worked in video production in Los Angeles before returning to Erie to start her own company.
Retiring baby boomers want to retire in economically vibrant cities with affordable housing, quality healthcare and a wide range of social and recreational activities. Erie’s favorable state tax treatment for retirement income and plentiful golf courses – four for every 100,000 residents – helped it make the cut.
Erie has embraced immigrants and refugees, which make up about 20 percent of its residents, according to the International Institute of Erie, a refugee resettlement agency. Several Iraqi refugees left San Diego for Erie and are now running their own businesses.
And GoErie continues to do a great job of covering their hometown’s united efforts. From writing about Erie speaking with one voice, to reporting on the #MyErie campaign and sharing news on revitalization grants, redevelopment plans and more, the outlet keeps our fingers on the pulse of the Erie movement.
To learn more about how Erie and other communities allow Pennsylvanians to work smart and live happy, visit dced.pa.gov/WSLH. Follow DCED on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube for content highlighting successful businesses and communities working together all across our state.
Neil Weaver has two decades of experience in non-profit and government management, operations, and communications. During his career, Neil has served in executive management at both the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and the Department of Environmental Protection. In his current role as Acting Secretary at DCED, Neil functions as the chief executive of an agency that is responsible for administering grants, loans and tax credits that spur economic growth, community revitalization, and job creation throughout the state by providing strategic technical assistance, training, and financial resources to help our communities and industries flourish.
