State lawmakers highlight nearly $18 million to fund Erie County projects
Highlights include investments in education, manufacturing, health care, tourism
Rep. Ryan Bizzarro November 1, 2024 | 12:24 PM
ERIE, Nov. 1 – The local economy will be bolstered by an influx of almost $18 million in state funding for Erie County projects state lawmakers Reps. Pat Harkins, Bob Merski and Ryan Bizzarro announced today.
Major capital investment projects will target growth in local education, manufacturing, tourism, food production and health care needs.
“The funding awarded today brings the promise of major change and revitalization for Erie and our entire region,” said Merski, who represents portions of the city of Erie, Greene, Harborcreek and Summit townships and Wesleyville borough. “The grants fund projects that are truly transformative, from the construction of two new hotels to accommodate the influx in tourism to our region, to a brand-new veterinary center at the Erie Zoo, and a cutting-edge Center for Manufacturing Competitiveness. We are seeing the transformation of our region in real time.”
The six Erie County projects totaling $17,750,000 are funded through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.
“The funding announced today will act as a shot in the arm for economic growth and development,” said Harkins, who represents portions of the city of Erie as well as Lake Erie and Lawrence Park townships. “All the investments help us attract new businesses, residents and visitors to the area. We appreciate Governor Josh Shapiro’s assistance in helping bring this money to Erie.”
RACP grants are administered by the Office of the Budget.
“The investments made today will help our region maximize the economic benefit of 4 million people visiting Presque Isle each year, improving the way we welcome the high volume of visitors through the Gateway District Plan,” said Bizzarro, who represents Millcreek and Fairview townships. “The state is also improving our region’s health care by investing in the development of the county’s first free-standing hospice and palliative care facility, ensuring our loved ones have a place to turn when they experience serious illness.”
Funding for Erie County projects:
- $6.5 million: Penn State Behrend, Harborcreek Township, construction of new building called Center for Manufacturing Competitiveness, which will host plastics laboratory, metal-casting lab and spaces available for local companies. Building will eventually host country's only fully serviced heavy haul battery test facility for locomotive, marine and mining.
- $4.5 million: 1001 State Street building, renovation costs for creation of modern, multi-use building and hotel space to accommodate tourist and business demand.
- $3 million: Farmer's Kitchen, Waterford Township, renovation of existing buildings and construction of new facilities for potato storage and the manufacturing of frozen potato products.
- $2 million: Erie Zoo, Veterinary Center II, Erie, construction of veterinary center, including animal care rooms, surgical suite and quarantine spaces. Building will also contain viewing spaces for education, imaging capabilities, offices, conference space and veterinary facilities.
- $1 million: Julia Hospice & Palliative Care, McKean Township, HVAC, electric, construction costs, plumbing and more for building construction.
- $750,000: Bayfront Harbor Place Hotel, Erie, part of multi-phased Harbor Place Master Plan for construction of 120-room, six-story Marriott AC hotel. This will be gateway to the Central Bayfront, situated at the intersection of State Street and Bayfront Parkway.
Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program projects are state-funded projects that cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs, and target generating substantial increases of employment, tax revenues or other measures of economic activity.