Erie County
Economic development services from
more than 20 different organizations.
Ben Franklin Technology Partners
Funding assistance for small to medium manufacturing and
tech-based companies to develop new products, processes
Jim Kosco, Director of R&D
814-898-6650
www.cnp.benfranklin.org
CareerLink
Low and no-cost employment services including online
database, job postings, labor law compliance, training funds
Lori Gillette, Business Services Representative
814-455-9966, Ext. 622
www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us
City of Erie (Department of Economic and Community Development)
Enterprise and Keystone Opportunity Zones, Community Development Block
Grants, LERTA and Enterprise Zone Revolving Loan Fund for loans up
to 50% of project cost to maximum of $250,000
Thomas McIntire, Economic Development Specialist
814-870-1272
www.ci.erie.pa.us/community_and_economic_develop.htm
eBizITPA
Engineering apprentice grants and IT KickStart grants
to aid manufacturers in compliance with RoHS requirements
Mary Bula, Outreach Specialist
814-898-6540
www.ebizitpa.org
Erie County Redevelopment Authority/Corry Area Industrial Development Corporation
Enterprise Zone loans up to 30% of project to maximimum
of $250,000 and Erie County Revolving Loans up to
50% of project to maximum of $250,000
Rick Novotny, Executive Director
814-664-3884
www.corryidc.org
Gannon Small Business Development Center
Low and no cost support for business plan development, strategic
planning, market research, environmental compliance assistance,
import/export assistance
John Snyder
814-871-7232
www.sbdcgannon.org
Governor’s Action Team (GAT)
Grants and low interest loans for large-scale
Business expansion or relocation
Tom Ehrensberger, Regional Director
814-871-4769
www.newpa.com
Economic Development Corporation of Erie County (EDCEC)
Greater Erie Industrial Development Corporation (GEIDC), EIDCO,
Erie County General Authority (ECGA), Erie County Industrial
Development Authority (ECIDA), Enterprise Development Fund
Of Erie County (FUND), Enterprise Development Center of
Erie County (CENTER). Erie County Community Services
Financing Authority (ECCSFA)
Monica Brower, President and CEO
814-899-6022
www.connectforsuccess.org
Northwest Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC)
Low to no cost assistance to small manufacturing companies for
training, business growth services, operational assessments,
product development
Amy Weller, District Manager
724-662-3705, Ext. 219
www.nwirc.org
Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission
Low to no cost services for international marketing,
government contracting, financial programs
Denise McCloskey, Executive Director
814-677-4800
www.nwcommission.org
Northwest Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board (NWPAWIB)
Funding source for workforce training initiatives
Michele Ziezula
814-333-1286
www.nwpawib.org
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
Assistance with candidate screening, training costs
grant funding for business accommodations
Grover Longnecker,Rehabilitation Counselor
814-871-4551
www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/cwp/view.asp?a=128&Q=168255
Penn State Erie Center for Corporate and Continuing Education
Training programs in safety, management, succession planning
as well as applications for WEDnet and CJT grants
Margaret McCarthy, Director
814-898-6039
www.pennstatebehrend.psu.edu/cde/cdeindx.htm
Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PENNTAP)
Free assistance for technology based issues with environment,
food industry, forest products, IT, e-business, NASA Technology
transfer, occupational health and safety, product development,
statistical data
Donald LeGoullon, Senior e-Business Consultant
814-677-5206
www.penntap.psu.edu
Plastics Technology Center (PTC)
Low cost design services for small manufacturing
including material selection, manufacturing
processes, 3D computer models
Thomas Moyak, Project Engineer
814-452-1924
www.ptdc01.bd.psu.edu
SCORE Erie Chapter 193
Volunteer association of business persons offering free
and confidential counseling to small businesses
David Seyboldt, Chairman
814-871-5650
www.score193eriepa.com
SEDA-COG
SBA 504 financing for for-profit businesses with net worth
less than $7.5 million and USDA Business and Industry Guaranty
Dennis Robinson, Executive Director
570-524-4491
www.seda-cog.org
Steel Valley Authority (SVA)
No cost consulting for succession planning, labor relations,
employee buyouts
BJ Lechner
814-456-6299
www.steelvalley.org
Technology Council of Northwest PA
Trade association focused on deployment and use of
technology in business
Courtney Mallen, Director
814-451-1172
www.techcouncilnwpa.org
Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania (WEDnet)
Employee training grants for manufacturing and technology based companies
Juanice Vega, Director of Continuing Education
814-393-2227
www.wednetpa.com
Other Partners
Utility companies/authorities, local/state/federal elected officials,
banks/financial institutions/venture capitalists