Erie, PA – The Erie County Redevelopment Authority is now accepting applications for its StARTup Creative Business Development Grant Program; grants up to $5000 will be awarded to eligible creative for-profit entrepreneurs to support business formation and growth.

The former campus of Erie Malleable Iron Co. seems to get larger by the day as beams come down and walls are reduced to rubble and hauled away.

Erie, PA – Today, Tina Mengine, CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA), announced the ECRDA’s 2023 first-quarter lending report which breaks previous ECRDA lending records.

Erie, PA – Liquid Light Factory, an Erie-based Extended Reality (XR) technology firm, has been awarded the Erie County Redevelopment Authority’s contract for a high-tech sculptural installation at the former Erie Malleable Iron (EMI) building; Liquid Light Factory’s sculpture installation was selected among 12 proposals for the new business park renamed Ironworks Square.

Look at a map of Pennsylvania. That swath of blue in the top left corner, isn't just Lake Erie, the state's only Great Lake border. It's also the lifeblood of Erie County.

For more than three decades, the Erie Arts and Culture Appreciation Awards have recognized and honored those individuals, businesses, and organizations who use arts-based disciplines or deliver cultural programming to positively impact the Erie community.

The Cleveland Fed engages with a diverse range of business, civic, and community leaders to collect information on current regional economic and business conditions. Advisory councils’ near-real time observations complement Bank research, enabling the Cleveland Fed to get a better picture of economic conditions in the Fourth District.

ECRDA Vice President Chris Groner was named to the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland's Bank Advisory Council.

ECRDA shares its record-breaking year at its annual meeting held at the UPMC Park Stadium Club on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023

Erie, PA – Stefanelli’s Candies cut the ceremonial ribbon at its new Harborcreek location, 4500 Buffalo Road, on Monday, Feb. 6. The Erie County Redevelopment Authority, using the Harborcreek Township Revolving Loan Fund, provided a $30,000 loan toward the renovation of the former Wine & Spirits property located within the Price Rite Plaza.

Harrisburg, PA – At the 2023 Pennsylvania Farm Show today, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced the recipients of $520,219 for the 2022-23 PA Farm Bill Urban Agriculture Grants. The Erie County Redevelopment Authority received $50,000 for the Savocchio Park Aquaponics project, Erie Grows.  

The Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA) announced today that it closed its 100^th loan since the creation of its new one-stop shop for public financing.

Erie, PA – The Erie County Redevelopment Authority is now accepting applications for its stART Up Creative Business Development Grant Program; grants up to $5000 will be awarded to eligible creative for-profit entrepreneurs to support business formation and growth.

Two highly visible Erie projects received a big financial boost Monday with the latest round of funding announcements from Pennsylvania's RACP or Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program.

Read about it in the Autumn Interactive Issue from FDI Alliance International.

Read more about construction projects happening in our region in the November 2022 Issue of Business Magazine.

Tina Mengine, CEO of the Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA), was recently appointed to the Pennsylvania State Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) Board by Governor Tom Wolf.

Today, Chris Groner, Vice President of Capital & Lending at Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA), announced the 2022 third quarter lending report, which included the following key figures: 

In support of a key initiative in Erie’s Inclusive Playbook, Diverse Erie, the Erie Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission, leveraged $500,000 to launch a $2 million fund that will support the creation and growth of BIPOC-owned businesses in Erie County.

Erie, Pennsylvania is on a roll. Like many communities in the Midwest, this city and county experienced the harsh effects of deindustrialization, decline and disinvestment.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf's administration came to Erie Tuesday morning to highlight state investment in the former Erie Malleable Iron (EMI) complex in the W. 12th St. corridor.

The Erie County Redevelopment Authority's plan to transform the former Erie Malleable Iron property into a modern business park has received a big financial boost.

International Recycling Group (IRG), a local company committed to tackling the plastic waste crisis, has furthered its commitment to Erie County by securing a $307,657 loan from the Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA).

In its fourth round of StARTup Business Development Awards, the ECRDA announced grant awards totaling $20,000 to three applicants.

The Erie County Industrial Development Authority (ECIDA) was awarded a $500,000 Brownfield Assessment Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency.

If the City of Erie is the engine of northwestern Pennsylvania's economy, then 12th Street is its main fuel line. 

The Erie County Redevelopment Authority says its plan to reinvent the former Erie Malleable Iron Co. complex could provide an important economic boost and give a new look to one of the city's key gateways.

NEWS Demolition to Begin on Former Quin-T Paper Manufacturer Property Thursday, April 21st 2022, 5:37 PM EDT By Jamison Hixenbaugh Play Video For decades, Paul Gambill has watched the former Quin-T Paper Manufacturer building fall into a state of decay. “This has been 20 years coming,” said Gambill. “Not only is it an eyesore, it's a safety factor.”

The former Quin-T Tech Paper building has stood at 16th and French Street for many years. It will soon be demolished within the next two to three months. “We are excited to finally launch the demolition of this building and attached smoke stack. It’s been a long time coming but it’s coming down,” said Tina Mengine, Erie County Redevelopment Authority.

Shearer’s Foods is in the process of expanding their facility in Waterford to increase their production efforts. “Working with the Commonwealth, we were able to put together a package that allowed them to choose Erie or Waterford as the site, so it’s about a 90,000 square foot expansion.

Chris Groner, VP of Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA), announced the ECRDA’s 2022 first quarter lending report...

Harborcreek Township and ECRDA are excited to announce the creation of the Harborcreek Township Business Development Revolving Loan Fund. This new resource aims to provide flexible financing options for businesses investing in or seeking to locate in Harborcreek Township. 

The Erie County Redevelopment Authority announces its 2021 Annual Report...

Enterprise Development Center of Erie County (EDCEC) seeks bids for new warehouse building that will consolidate Berry Plastics into one Erie location. 

“We are looking for artists (or artist teams) with strong portfolios of past work who can demonstrate experience delivering innovative large-scale sculptural projects”, said Tina Mengine, CEO of ECRDA.

Tina Mengine, ECRDA CEO, announced the 2021 4th quarter lending report...

Erie County businesses are being awarded grants made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to help mitigate the effects of the pandemic and to help stimulate the county's economy... 

In Economic Development, timing is everything - and Erie's time is now. 

The former EMI complex on the 600 block of West 12th St is slated for demo, but not every building at the site will be leveled...

"Equitable development is a positive development strategy that ensures everyone participates in and benefits from the region's economic transformation," writes Court Gould, M.P.A., in his Jefferson Education Society publication: "How to Put Equitable Development to Work for Erie, Pennsylvania." 

The Silicon Review recently called Erie, PA, "an appealing destination for tech startups." 

According to their article "Starting a Software Business? Silicon Valley or Pennsylvania," "[Erie] has a strong sense of community that has motivated the creation of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Erie has everything that a startup needs to succeed..." 

In its third round of StARTup Business Development Awards, ECRDA announced grant awards totaling $25,000 to seven applicants. 

Erie County, in partnership with the Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA), announces the launch of grant applications (beginning Nov 1, 2021) for the American Rescue Plan New Small Business program and the Local Shuttered Venue program. The New Small Business Grant is designed to provide necessary relief to new Erie County small businesses...

Tina Mengine, CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA), announced the ECRDA’s 2021 third quarter Lending Report, which included the following key figures: 

• $2,656,168 in new loans 
• 14 Erie County businesses assisted
• 25 new jobs created, and 167 jobs retained
• Total Lending through 9.30.21:  $8,131,619

Snack manufacturer Shearer's Foods has chosen to expand its company in Erie, PA...

Effective September 8, 2021, ECRDA will begin accepting grant applications for its latest round of the StARTup Business Development grant program. StARTup grants offer funding of up to $5000 to new businesses or new business ventures of existing for-profit companies in Erie County that are creative in nature.

Today, Tina Mengine, CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA), announced the ECRDA’s 2021 second quarter Lending Report, which included the following key figures:

Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA) is excited and pleased to announce the creation of a new minority Diversity Loan Program. The Diversity Loan Program offers micro-loans, ranging from $5000 to $35,000 for small businesses owned by a minority or woman.

Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA) recently began inventory of the contents of the former Erie Malleable Iron building at 12th & Cherry Streets. Among the many items left at the site were hundreds of wooden crates.

Today, Tina Mengine, CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA), announced the ECRDA’s 2021 first quarter Lending Report, which included the following key figures:

• $3,345,401 in loans
• 19 Erie County businesses
• 74 new jobs and 156 jobs retained

At its news conference today on the Quin-T site, ECRDA unveiled its new branding for its property development projects. Bright, bold and positive, the fence banners and signage sport the phrase, “A Change of ScenErie”. Each new property project will be marked with the new branding while under development.

In its second round of StARTup Business Development Awards, the ECRDA announced grant awards totaling $32,000 to ten applicants.

“We’re thrilled to be able to announce the latest round of StARTup grant winners. The StARTup grants are designed to fund new businesses or new business ventures of existing for-profit companies in Erie County that are creative in nature,” said Mengine, CEO of the Erie County Redevelopment Authority.

Today, Tina Mengine, CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA), announced the ECRDA’s 2021 first quarter Lending Report, which included the following key figures:

• $3,345,401 in loans
• 19 Erie County businesses
• 74 new jobs and 156 jobs retained

As COVID-19 cases have declined and vaccination rates are climbing, Governor Tom Wolf today announced the lifting of some targeted restrictions on restaurants and other businesses, as well as increased gathering limits.

Erie County in partnership with the Erie County Redevelopment Authority announces the launch of grant applications for the COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP). The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania awarded the County of Erie with $3,055,038 to help support the hospitality industry. Individual grants will be between $5,000 and $50,000. Applications will open Monday, March 8.

The Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA), through its' affiliate the Enterprise Development Center of Erie County (EDCEC), has entered into an agreement to purchase the former Quin T Tech Paper and Boards property at 140 East 16th St. Covering more than four acres between French and Holland Streets, the Quin T property encompasses a complex of buildings abandoned more than 15 years ago.

The Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA), through its affiliate the Enterprise Development Center of Erie County (EDCEC), has entered into an agreement to purchase the former Erie Malleable Iron (EMI) property at 12th & Cherry Streets from Modern Industries.

EMI, long a cornerstone of Erie's industrial past, permanently closed its doors the summer of 2001. The Sweny family, owners of Modern Industries (located across from the EMI property), purchased the property in 1984 and utilized it for warehousing and light manufacturing through 2014.

Through a collaborative effort from the City of Erie’s Community and Economic Development Department, the Erie County Redevelopment Authority and Millcreek Township, the fulfillment center will be located the former AMSCO-Steris property on W. 23rd St.

Artists who live in Erie County and devote a majority of their time to practicing, performing or teaching an arts discipline are eligible for grants of up to $5,000.

The event will feature Chris Groner, president of capital, finance and lending at ECRDA and Rebecca Styn, director of special initiatives for the Erie County Redevelopment Authority.

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Beginning Monday, August 31st, eligible Erie County Businesses may start applying for the Erie County CARES Small Business Grant. Through this initiative, the Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA) will administer up to $5 million in funds on behalf of the County of Erie to eligible businesses that have been impacted by Covid-19.

Launching in September 2020, the Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA) will begin providing grants of up to $5k to creative startup applicants through its new Artist Entrepreneurial Fund initiative.

The Artist Entrepreneurial fund will be supported by a major gift from the StARTup Incubator. The ECRDA will match the funds. The purpose of this fund is to support opportunities that will benefit artists' careers, including the development of business skills, participation in programs to raise the level and quality of art, and participation in programs that will bring their art to market in order to aid in commercial success. The fund will provide up to a total $25k annually, through a bi-annual application process.

Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA) moved forward with strategic economic development efforts today, announcing the creation of the Office of Capital Finance & Lending. The new office is a collaboration between the City of Erie and the Erie County Redevelopment Authority that will serve new and existing businesses in a cohesive and direct manner.

A special meeting of the Erie County General Authority will be held via Zoom meeting on Friday, May 29th at 10:00 A.M.

Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA) pushed ahead with strategic economic development efforts today, announcing the addition of key personnel with deep expertise. The new hires will ensure ECRDA has the expertise and tools it needs to meet the challenges of Erie County businesses and revitalization efforts.

As we enter the Yellow Phase of reopening parts of Pennsylvania, the ECRDA will provide continued guidance and support for businesses in the midst of adapting to the new normal of operations. We're in this together for the long haul. To remain up-to-date on PA guidelines for reopening, please regularly check DCED's business FAQs.

The Erie County Redevelopment Authority Board approved an increase of $375,000 to the COVID-19 Emergency Loan Fund, created to help small businesses survive COVID-19 closures.

“The rapid onslaught of requests showed the remarkable stress facing local businesses as they worked to avoid permanent closure," said Tine Mengine, Chief Executive Officer, ECRDA. “With the support of the Board, we have been able to provide businesses from retail and food service to manufacturing and service providers with more than one-million-dollars in emergency capital."

Starting April 20, 2020, small businesses can submit an application to apply for a $5,000 grant to be used toward business expenses. The application should take about 10 minutes to complete and will only require your business’s W-9 form and basic supporting information about your business.

“This pandemic has presented new and unforeseen challenges to Pennsylvania’s businesses, and the Wolf Administration has been committed to supporting our business community to the fullest extent every step of the way,” said Sec. Davin. “This extended deferral will help ease the burden on small businesses and enable them to focus and prioritize their efforts as we work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the commonwealth.”

Port Erie Plastics, Munot Plastics, and Bliley Technologies partner with Penn State Behrend with the goal of producing 5,000 plastic face masks per week.

There's no shortage of Covid-19 information bouncing about the net right now. To help you catch the news and updates your businesses and families need the most, Senator Bob Casey and his staff are continually updating a Covid-19 Resource Guide for Pennsylvanians.

The arrival of Covid-19 to the U.S. caused a serious rift in how we conduct our lives and do business. To adapt, we all made a lot of changes in a very short time period. But even after all those adjustments, we're certain of one thing: more change is coming.

The Erie County Redevelopment Authority Board approved a $1,000,000 COVID-19 Emergency Loan Fund to help small businesses with more than 25 employees survive in the face of mounting financial challenges as a result of COVID-19 closures.

The coming together of a community to get the job done...read about how local distillers are providing hand sanitizer at a crucial time.

Mengine moves from the Governor's Action Team to lead the Erie County Redevelopment Team.

After two chief-of-staff stints, a V.P. position at a local University, and serving on the regional Governor's Action Team, Mengine leads with a fresh perspective at the Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA).