2011 Annual Report

Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership

As we look back on 2011, I wish to thank Russ Warner who provided stellar leadership as Chairman of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership board of directors through August 2011 and Jim Dible who served as the President and CEO of the ERCGP through early April 2011. Russ and Jim also led us through the national search for our new President and CEO, Barbara Chaffee and provided a smooth transition of leadership.

We have had an exciting year at the ERCGP:

•WelaunchedtheBusinessActionTeamreplacingtheBusinessRetention&ExpansionProgram.Throughon-site oron-linemeetingswithbusinessowners,weidentifyprogramsthataddresscompanies’needs,providingpossible solutionsutilizingregionaleconomicdevelopmentpartners.

•WearesurveyingthebusinesscommunitywithourProjectJobsinitiative.UsingtheErieBusinessActionTeam’s web-basedplatform;allemployersinErieCountyareaskedtocompleteanelectronicsurveycapturingbusiness andindustry’simmediate,mid-term,andlong-termemploymentneeds.Workinginpartnershipwiththe RegionalCenterforWorkforceExcellence,NWPAWorkforceInvestmentBoardandPACareerLink–Erie County,datawillbeshared,identifyingtheskillssets,formaleducationneeded,andwageratesforthetop25 identifiedoccupations.

•ErieCounty,theCityofErie,theERCGP,JeffersonEducationalSociety,andtheRegionalCenterforWorkforce Excellence/WorkforceInvestmentBoardwereawardedaHUDRegionalPlanningSustainableCommunities grantof$1.8millionforDestinationErie.

•WehavemadesignificantprogressintheareaofintergovernmentalCooperation.Accomplishmentsinclude: developmentofacounty-wideequipmentsharingprogram;planningforjointemergencyresponsepreparedness; andimprovinglocalgovernmentcommunicationandoperationsthroughtechnology.

•Wehavebeenakeydriverineffortstobetteralignlocaleducationtocareers.WorkingwithErieTogether, ourlocalschooldistricts,theSchooltoCareerPartnership,theWIB,andnumerousotherstakeholders, ourgoalistobetterconnecttheprivatesectortoK-12education.

•Memberbusinessessavedmorethan$1.9millionandresidentssavedanaverageof9%ontheirelectricbills throughoursavingsprogram.

We are enthusiastic about the opportunities before us in 2012, everything we do must focus on providing a healthy and nurturing environment for business and industry to grow and prosper in Erie and the region.

There is great strength in numbers, we have grown to 900 members this past year and I offer a challenge to our members to each engage one new member for the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership in 2012. The intelligence, creativity, and commitment of our members; our human capital, can and does make a difference in the region.

James E. Martin Chairman of the Board

“I like things to happen; and if they don’t happen, I like to make them happen.” – Winston Churchill

2011 Annual Report

28

22

16

10

104

33 2 2

Membership by Industry

Numbers represent percentages.

Retail/Commercial Services

Professional Services

Hospitality

Healthcare

Manufacturing

Finance/Banking

Real Estate

Non-Profits/Other

Education

Municipalities/Authorities

57

171586

Membership

Events

GrantsAdvertising

Miscellaneous

Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership

NEW MEMBERS IN 2011

In partnership with Erie County local governments and with funding support from the Erie Community Foundation

Intergovernmental Collaboration:

&Developed a county-wide municipal equipment sharing program.

Launched a county-wide joint disaster planning effor t.

2011 Annual Report

PROJECT

JOBS1,509 open positions identified through130 preliminary Project Jobs survey respondents.

Aligning K-12 Education to Careers

Developed strategic partnerships with local school districts, community-based career exploration programs, Erie Together and other relevant stakeholders to move initiative forward.

Secured funding from Erie Community Foundation to envision and create the programmatic structure.

Helped develop a standard definition of a “career plan” approved by county-wide superintendents.

1

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(As of January 31, 2012)

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6,146

Event Atte

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443 Ambassador Graduates

24 Ribbon Cuttings

Peter BalmertFirst Niagara

John BarberBarber National Institute

Dr. Donald L. BirxPenn State Erie, The Behrend College

John C. BloomstineInsurance Management Company

Carl M. Carlotti, Esq.National Fuel Gas Dist. Corp.

Terrence W. CavanaughErie Insurance Group

Rosanne CheesemanTimes Publishing Company

Gary L. ClarkSnap-tite, Inc.

Joel DeutermanVelocity Network

Mary EckertMillcreek Community Hospital

Thomas C. Hoffman II, Esq.Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett

Thomas KennedyProfessional Development Associates, Inc.

Charles G. KnightSchaffner, Knight, Minnaugh & Company

John LeemhuisQuinn Law Firm

John T. MaloneHamot Medical Center

James E. MartinNorthwest Savings Bank

James W. MartinHighmark

Michael P. MartinPrinting Concepts, Inc.

Marlene D. MoscoPNC Bank

Jack MunchBaldwin Brothers, Inc.

David PoorAAA East Central

James Rutkowski, Jr.Industrial Sales & Manufacturing Company

Matthew SchultzJohn V. Schultz, Co.

Nick Scott, Jr.Scott Enterprises

John SkoryPenelec - A FirstEnergy Company

Ronald SteeleGreater Erie Community Action Committee

Noreen StegkamperCitizens Bank

David M. TullioCustom Engineering Company

Russell S. Warner, Esq.MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton, LLP

Michael WeberSmith Provision Company

Thomas J. WedzikFirst National Bank of Pennsylvania

Scott WhalenSaint Vincent Health System

R. Jason WieczorekYoung Erie Professionals

2011 Annual Report

2011 Board of Directors Thank You

6,146

Event Atte

ndees

443 Ambassador Graduates

24 Ribbon Cuttings

Thursday, April 12Celebration of ExcellenceBayfront Convention Center Wednesday, May 23Annual Golf OutingPeek’n Peak Resort and Spa Saturday, July 21Beer on the BayBurger King Amphitheater – Bayfront Wednesday, September 26Fall Member FestShades Beach Park Pavilion Thursday, November 8Annual MeetingAmbassador Conference Center

2012 SAVE THE DATES

Thursday, April 12Celebration of ExcellenceBayfront Convention Center Wednesday, May 23Annual Golf OutingPeek’n Peak Resort and Spa Saturday, July 21Beer on the BayBurger King Amphitheater – Bayfront Wednesday, September 26Fall Member FestShades Beach Park Pavilion Thursday, November 8Annual MeetingAmbassador Conference Center

2012 SAVE THE DATES