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Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership Announces
New Erie International Airport Business Advisory Committee
ERIE, Pa. (Jan. 30, 2008) — The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership (ERCGP) today announced a new Business Advisory Committee designed to help assure the efficient and timely completion of the Erie International Airport runway extension project. The committee was formed at the request of Erie County Executive Mark DiVecchio.
The four-member Erie International Airport Business Advisory Committee will:
- attend regular and special meetings of the Erie Municipal Airport Authority to develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of the runway extension project in its entirety
- review runway extension project tasks, timelines, financing plans and cash flows
- provide advice and guidance on all aspects of the project to the Authority and/or county to ensure the most timely, cost-efficient project completion and
- regularly report findings and recommendations to the Erie County Executive and ERCGP Transportation Committee.
"The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership has long felt that a healthy airport with sufficient runway length is key to the region’s economic vitality," said Jim Schaffner, chairman or the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership Board of Directors. "Mr. DiVecchio has demonstrated tremendous leadership in moving the project forward and has asked the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership to convene a committee of business leaders to help assure the efficient and timely completion of the Erie International Airport runway extension project."
Mr. Schaffner announced that Jim Gehrlein, retired area president of National City Bank of Pennsylvania, will chair the panel — a subcommittee of ERCGP’s Growth Partnership Division Transportation Committee. Other committee members include Monica Brower, president and CEO, Economic Development Corporation of Erie County; Dr. Joseph McClellan, medical director, Hamot Heart Institute & senior vice president, Hamot Health Foundation; and Hoop Roche, chairman, Erie Plastics.
“A healthy airport with sufficient runway length is key to the economic vitality of the region, particularly as it supports business retention and attraction efforts here,” commented Erie County Executive Mark DiVecchio. “Because of our significant financial commitment, I have asked the Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership to convene a Business Advisory Committee to lend additional expertise to those already working on the project to help bring it over the finish line.”
The Erie International Airport runway extension project is currently envisioned as a 1920 foot extension estimated to cost $80.5 million. Erie County government has committed up to $25.7 million in support of the project. Other anticipated funding sources include, but are not necessarily limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Erie Municipal Airport Authority and the Commonwealth of PA. Numerous steps remain to ensure the project’s timely and successful completion.
About the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership (ERCGP)
The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership is the unified voice of the business community. The organization is comprised of three divisions with one mission: providing the leadership to attract, retain and expand Business in the Erie region. The organization’s three divisions — Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development, and Growth Partnership — continue to make significant progress on key regional initiatives that promote the economic health of the Erie region.
About the ERCGP Growth Partnership Division
The Growth Partnership division is comprised of top decision-makers from Platinum, Gold, and Silver Chamber members. The group’s current membership of nearly 140 is overseen by an 11-member steering committee. The team advances transformational community initiatives that impact the region’s long-term economic future.
Three of their top priorities include:
- A vibrant downtown that is a center for home life, retail, entertainment and culture.
- Creation of strong public/private partnerships to accomplish important civic objectives.
- Pursuit of regionalism to promote governmental collaboration and enhance public service delivery.
