ERIE Magazine | December 2009/January 2010

E r i e R e g i o n a l C h a m b e r a n d G r o w t h P a r t n e r s h i p M a g a z i n e w w w . E r i e PA . c o m D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9 / J a n u a r y 2 0 1 0

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Looking Forward Four projects that have the potential to transform our region • CultureSpark • Better Together • Spreading the Wave • Tap Into Manufacturing Plus an Exclusive Q&A with George Cornelius, Secretary of DCED

The personal service, fast loan decisions, and local focus that Marquette has offered to individuals and families for more than 100 years, now mean business—business checking, lines of credit, business loans, remote deposit capture, and more.

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Find out just how good hometown banking can be for your business.

In Erie, call Dave at (814) 455-4481; in Crawford County, call Gene at (814) 337-7929.

David Slomski Vice President, Business Banking

Eugene Cirka Business Banker, Crawford County Michael Edwards CEO

Now 12 locations, including three new offices in Crawford County

The Hometown Bank with the Hometown Touch

Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership Magazine

www.EriePA.com

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[contents

December 2009/January 2010

President’s Perspective....................... 2 Welcome New Investors.................3-4 CultureSpark Draws Up Plan to Enhance Erie County’s Cultural Community......................................... 6-7

Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership Mission Statement Leadership to attract, retain and expand business.

Board of Directors

Gregory S. Baldwin Jr. Peter Balmert John J. Barber John C. Bloomstine C. Angela Bontempo Dr. Jack D. Burke Kurt F. Buseck Carl M. Carlotti Terrence W. Cavanaugh Rosanne Cheeseman Gary L. Clark Joel Deuterman Harvey E. Downey Mary L. Eckert Dr. Antoine M. Garibaldi Thomas C. Hoffman Thomas Kennedy Chuck Knight Leonard Kosar

John P. Leemhuis Jr. John T. Malone James E. Martin James W. Martin Michael P. Martin Marlene D. Mosco James R. Napier David Poor James Rutkowski Jr. Matthew Schultz Nick Scott Jr. Ronald A. Steele Noreen A. Stegkamper David M. Tullio Russell S. Warner Michael Weber Thomas J. Wedzik Matt Wiertel

President/CEO Jim Dible

Vice President, Chamber Claudia Thornburg

Vice President, Economic Development Jacob A. Rouch

Vice President, Growth Partnership Mary Bula

Editor

Matthew Cummings

Contributing Writers Erika Howland Jennifer Smith Susan Weiner

Cover Photo Art Becker

Design

Tungsten Creative Group

For Advertising Information

Julie Graff, Sales Executive 814.454.7191; jgraff@eriepa.com

Staff

Matthew Cummings, Director of Marketing & Communications Sara Galbreath, Sales Executive Julie B. Graff, Sales Executive Melanie A. Johnson, Business Retention & Expansion Program Manager Doug M. Massey, Workforce Development Coordinator-Training Dr. Judith Miller, REthink Erie Project Coordinator TBD, Workforce Development Coordinator-Recruitment Cathy Noble, Events Coordinator Michael Pistone, Research Coordinator Linda Robbins, Accountant Susan M. Ronto, Membership Coordinator Doreen E. Sanfratello, Receptionist 814.454.7191 • fax: 814.459.0241 • www.EriePA.com 208 East Bayfront Parkway, Suite 100 • Erie, PA 16507

More than 20 business and community leaders graduated from the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership’s Erie Ambassadors program in November. The ceremony was held at Caper’s Catering on East 38th Street. The Erie Ambassadors program is designed to comprehensively train community leaders interested in promoting Erie.

The course examines numerous aspects of the community, providing in-depth information and insight from Erie’s top civic and business leaders.

Information is available by emailing Cathy Noble at cnoble@eriepa.com.

The Spring Ambassadors training begins in January and seats are currently available.

Better Together: Key Indicators Will Be Key to Erie County’s Future................10-12 Spreading the Wave: Kanzius Cancer Research Gains Momentum.........................14-16 Leadership Insights: An Interview with Secretary George E. Cornelius..................... 20-21 You Need It? We Make It. . ..... 24-25 Give the Gift of ERIE for the Holidays................................. 28-29

Save the D 2010 E ate s RCGP Signat ur April 2 2

e Even ts

• Celeb ra • Bayfr tion of Exce ll ont Co nventio ence n Cent May 2 er 6 • Annu al • Peek Golf Outing ’n Peak Resort and Sp Septe a m • Fall M ber 29 ember F • Shad es Bea est ch

Novem

• Annu ber 18 al • Amb Meeting assado r Cente r

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[perspective president’s

Looking forward.

That was the theme of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership Annual Meeting in November. Because we believe that the best time to be creative in finding new ways to help our region is when other regions are hanging their collective heads.

We are also in the season where we give thanks.

Reading the articles in this month’s Erie Magazine both reminded me of why I am thankful to live here and excited me about our future.

My spouse would quickly note I am a glass half full person by nature. But I believe when you read this edition you will also be reminded of why you’re thankful to live in the Erie region and find at least four reasons to feel good about what lies ahead.

They include the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, the Better Together initiative, the CultureSpark Cultural Plan, and Secretary George Cornelius of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

Secretary Cornelius has visited Erie more than once since leaving private industry to join DCED at the beginning of this year. He seemed to enjoy himself each time he visited our area, so we asked him some questions for this month’s magazine about a variety of subjects.

Here’s what he had to say about Erie: “I love Erie! Whenever I visit the region, I am encouraged by the community spirit and the high level of collaboration among community leaders, civic organizations, and individuals. It’s apparent people take pride in their city and region and want to continually improve opportunities 2

for business development and growth, and encourage community development. People in Erie are working hard to ensure that opportunities exist for their children and grandchildren and aren’t easily distracted by petty disagreements. I admire and respect them for that.”

Don’t miss the Q&A with Secretary Cornelius. I’m thankful to live in a region where someone like him speaks highly of where we live.

Need more reason to be thankful about where live? Consider this quote from Charlie Rutkowski of Industrial Sales Management, the firm building equipment for the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation efforts: “At this point it’s not about the money. Just to be able to help out in any way we can in this effort is a great thing. We feel there is a greater good here for mankind in Erie. If there is a business benefit, that is great too!”

Then read about the work being done to create a cultural master plan, including this quote from Erie poet Chuck Joy: “Erie is alive with culture. Our spoken word, musical, theatrical, visual arts, dance and film modalities are all active and indigenous, arising from the sandy soil of our northern shore like wildflowers, waving in the scented breeze.”

Another good read is the article about “Better Together,” a collaboration of The Erie Community Foundation, United Way of Erie County and the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, in partnership with Edinboro University, Mercyhurst College, Gannon University and Penn State Behrend.

This ambitious effort to measure and improve upon our region’s vital signs over time is a long-term project. Bill Jackson, interim chief professional officer of United Way, said, “We might not all want the same solutions to a problem, but we will be looking at the same indicators and the same desired outcome. These are everybody’s issues.

We all need to be aware of them and be part of the solution.”

Well said, Bill. Our organization and all of those featured in this edition are not sideline sniping. No one featured in this magazine participates in the favorite sport of some who say whatever bad can happen probably will and there’s nothing we can do about it anyway.

Every article is about being part of solutions, and about looking forward with hope and optimism.

Join us.

Gold Investor

New Investors

First Niagara

R&G Enterprises

Full service banking and financial services company.

Mr. Peter Balmert 801 State Street Erie, PA 16501 (814) 871-1254 Si lv e r I n v e s t o r

Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel Mr. Jason Spain 777 Seneca Allegany Blvd.

Salamanca, NY 14779 (716) 244-5036 Bronze Investor

Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation

Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization comprised of dedicated individuals supporting ongoing research for the Kanzius Non-invasive Radio Wave Cancer Treatment project. The mission is to create regional and nation awareness of the potentials of the Kanzius treatment and to raise funds to help accelerate the speed at which research progresses to human trials.

Mr. Mark Neidig 1001 State Street, Suite 1430 Erie, PA 16501 (814) 480-5776

With more than 12 years of experience in the ATM industry, R&G Enterprises offers very competitive rates for bank and card services, provides free placements of ATMs for qualified customers, and sells ATMs. Mr. Pete Rys P.O. Box 8954 Erie, PA 16505 (814) 866-0055

Wooden Nickel Enterprises

Wooden Nickel Buffalo offers healthy, delicious, all natural grass-fed, hormone-free bison meat in their gift shop and seasonal restaurant.

Focus on health benefits and environmentally friendly farming. New owners of the former Cloverleaf Motel offering clean, comfortable rooms at reasonable rates.

Mr. Dan Koman 5970 Koman Road Edinboro, PA 16412 (814) 734-2833

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[welcome new investors

If you know a company or organization that wants to invest in Erie and in their business, please contact Sara Galbreath, sales executive, at (814) 454-7191 or sgalbreath@eriepa.com.

The Ophelia Project

The Ophelia Project is the first national organization to systemically address relational aggression. They know from research and experience that emotionally, socially and physically safe climates are critical for children and adolescents to succeed in school and in life. Through awareness, education and advocacy, they work with youth, families, schools and communities to build safe social climates by promoting healthy character development and addressing relational aggression.

Ms. Ann Bloxdorf 718 Nevada Drive Erie, PA 16505 (814) 456-5437

Eco Embroidery Studio, LLC

A one-stop-shop apparel and embroidery studio, offering businesses and local shoppers unique merchandise, eco-friendly embroidery, and the hottest name brands in apparel. In-house digitizing and company logos. Quality and service is always found at Eco Embroidery Studio.

Ms. Karen Whelan Village West #4 3330 West 26th Street Erie, PA 16506 (814) 836-9358

Linear, LLC

Linear, LLC is a full service media production/commercial design firm.Specializing in video productions for television, Trans Pacific Partners online and internal use, they Trans Pacific Partners works with can take your project from businesses, institutions of higher conception to completion. learning, governments and other The partners bring to the table organizations seeking expertise 10 years of media experience. or assistance in Southeast Asia.

Ms. Raychel Adiutori Ms. Katy Goring 460 East 26th Street, Suite 3 P.O. Box 8954 Erie, PA 16504 Erie, PA 16505 (814) 450-3793 (814) 218-6092 (continued next page)

January 21, 2010 Gannon University Robert H. Morosky Academic Center 150 West 10th Street, Erie 5 - 7 p.m.

February 25, 2010 Erie Promotions & Expos, Inc. Reservations required name tags will be provided.

(Held at Bayfront Convention Center as part of Erie Home and Garden Expo)

1 Sassafras Pier, Erie 5 - 7 p.m.

March 18, 2010 Wingate by Wyndham 8060 Old Oliver Road, Erie 5 - 7 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you at these networking events for Chamber investors.

Please RSVP to the Chamber at (814) 454-7191 or cnoble@eriepa.com.

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[welcome new investors continued [

Independent Council on Aging, Inc.

The ICA is a not-for-profit agency made up of a coalition of individuals, agencies and businesses that provide services and support for Seniors in Erie County. The mission of the organization is to “improve the quality of life for mature adults while fostering a positive image of aging.” It is starting its 54th year of service to Erie and Erie County.

Mr. Ray Maholtz P.O. Box 1936 Erie, PA 16507 (814) 835-7485

LakeShore Cleaning Services

Established in 2003, LakeShore has perfected the essence of cleaning. They offer residential, commercial, and construction cleaning, and also specialize in fire and flood cleanup, floor strip and wax, windows, gutters, power washing and more.

Ms. Kristen Goodenow P.O. Box 446 North East, PA 16428 (814) 725-9356

International Student Exchange

Committed to working on world peace and understanding through the leaders of tomorrow—today’s children.

High School Exchange program with 60+ countries.

Ms. Jan Scheller 1803 Union Avenue Erie, PA 16510 (814) 446-7571

Smartech USA

Smartech USA’s mission is to be the most trusted and reliable company in the industry of providing brand new toner cartridges with superior quality and service to every satisfied customer.

Mr. Fred J. Barry 3981 McLaughlin Road McKean, PA 16426 (814) 734-1996

The Fastmall eBay Selling Services

The Fastmall is an online sales services company that provides consignment services for both businesses and individuals on eBay, Craigslist and other online sales directories.

The owner Doug Luthringer is a state licensed trading assistant and an eBay-trained education specialist.

Mr. Doug Luthringer 2707 West 35th Street Erie, PA 16506 (814) 882-6830

CEO Space

Providing opportunities to raise capital, skills, contacts, branding and resources for growing your business.

Ms. Sandra Sickert P.O. Box 5 Erie, PA 16512 (814) 520-1951

Environmental Remediation & Recovery, Inc.

An environmental consulting firm specializing in assessment and remediation of soil and groundwater contamination.

Offers professional services to conduct storage tank closures, complete environmental site assessments and design, install, operate and maintain soil and groundwater remediation systems.

Ms. Michelle Montague 4250 Route 6N Edinboro, PA 16412 (814) 734-6411

Erie Concrete & Steel Supply Co.

Distributor of quality steel bars, plates, beams and tool steels to machining and fabrication industries in the tri-state area.

Mr. Scott McCain P.O. Box 10336 Erie, PA 16514 (814) 453-4969

If you know a company or organization that wants to invest in Erie and in their business, please contact Sara Galbreath, sales executive, at (814) 454-7191 or sgalbreath@eriepa.com.

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Community Access Television

Community Access Television is a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation designated by the City of Erie to receive funds from Time Warner to manage channel 2. People who live in the City of Erie may become members to fulfill its mission statement, “Empowering Community Voices and Visions.”

Mr. Shawn R. Phelps 142 West 12th Street Erie, PA 16501 (814) 454-2226

LBH Insurance

LBH Insurance, LTD is a multi-level agency that offers their clients a suite of services to help them obtain products that best fit their individual and business needs.

Mr. Larry B. Hiwiller, Jr. 416 West 10th Street, Suite 1 Erie, PA 16502 (814) 878-0070

More Than Flowers Full service florist.

Ms. Robin Yourkonis 5093 Buffalo Road Erie, PA 16510 (814) 899-5093

Millfair Self Storage

State-of-the-art self storage, fully secure with security cameras, fencing, lighting, along with handicap accessibility. Interior and driveup units available; heated and air conditioning. Record, automobile, boat and RV storage. Units ranging from 5x5’ to 10x25’.

Mr. Carter Doolittle 6000 Sterrettania Road Fairview, PA 16415 (814) 833-6464

Presque Isle Printing Services

Presque Isle Printing Services combines the latest in technology with the best in design and customer service Nedreski Wealth to provide solutions for all your small business and Management personal printing needs.

Nedreski Wealth Management Ms. Alice DeGeorge is a full-service independent 1804 Asbury Road financial planning firm whose Erie, PA 16505 focus is retirement planning specializing in the specific needs (814) 833-9020 and challenges of those nearing The Razors Edge or in retirement.

A family hair salon offering Mr. Michael J. Nedreski full service hair care for 1311 Peninsula Drive men, women and children.

Erie, PA 16505 A new service offered at The (814) 835-4551 Razors Edge is manicures and pedicures.

Orange Rhino Studios Ms. Giorgina Pearson Orange Rhino is a creative ad 5124 Iroquois Avenue company that helps to make your company known through Erie, PA 16511 (814) 323-4962 catchy jingles, memorable slogans, and original art and Lonelyman Productions logos. Its art division is called A film/video production Plaid Egret. company that specializes in Mr. Dana Genest all aspects of pre-production, 236 East 27th Street production and postErie, PA 16504 production. Original projects (814) 431-5759 as well as area commercials, promotional videos, industrial Charisma Salon & Spa videos, and consumer videos.

Full service salon and tanning.

Mr. Seann Clark Ms. Jennifer Bond 10902 Greenleee Road 406 State Street Waterford, PA 16441 Erie, PA 16506 (814) 449-1052 (814) 456-9222

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CultureSpark draws up plan to enhance Erie County’s cultural community.

By Jennifer Smith

Forget the frogs—Erie County’s artistic community is working on a new masterpiece. And this project promises to have an even bigger impact.

Through CultureSpark, civic and cultural leaders are collaborating with artists and creatives to develop a cultural master plan.

The year-long cultural planning process, implemented by ArtsErie and The Nonprofit Partnership, aims to identify the issues, strengths and challenges for cultural development in Erie County.

“The arts, culture and heritage positively impact the region’s identity, quality of life and economy,” said Bill Bulick, a cultural planning consultant who has helped lead the process in more than 20 locations, including Erie.

“Planning considers current cultural assets and opportunities to improve programs and increase access, participation and impact.”

In Erie, the economic impact of arts and culture is not insignificant, bringing in nearly $15 million.

With a plan in place, that impact could be even greater, said Char Mashyna, executive director of ArtsErie, a Silver Investor in the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership.

“Our goal was to get the dialog going, create a plan to show what we could achieve and develop a road map to get there,” said Mashyna, who is one of 35 business and community leaders who sits on the steering committee.

Since March, more than 600 artists/creatives, organizations and community By t h e n u m b e r s members have participated in the $15 million – economic impact of arts/culture on Erie economy process, sharing their 35 – members of steering committee opinions through surveys, focus groups 600 – surveys returned by artists/ creatives, organizations and and forums.

Their input will help provide key demographic data— including an audience profile and utilization by community.

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community members $65,000 – grant received by ArtsErie from the Kresge Foundation $95,000 – cost of CultureSpark, funded by ArtsErie, The Erie Community Foundation, PA Council on the Arts and County of Erie through Unrestricted Gaming Revenue

That information will help determine a short list of eight to 10 issues that will be addressed during the coming months by task force groups. By April, a final cultural master plan will be completed.

Some of the critical issues are: • Cultural education and programs for youth and young adults • Countywide services, linkages and collaborations; integration into planning • Build capacity and business development for artists and cultural organizations • Increased access/participation: all ethnic, income ranges, tourists; joint marketing • Revitalization of downtowns: cultural spaces and activity; public art • Resources, public and private.

But the benefits of the process go beyond the document itself.

“We’re bringing together people who would not know how to get together,” Mashyna said. “This can be the spark to get people talking.

“While Erie has a wealth of artistic, cultural and historic opportunities, many of the organizations don’t have a strong community presence,” Mashyna said.

“We have wonderful organizations that aren’t well-known,” Mashyna said. “We want to raise the visibility and value of those organizations.”

Increasing awareness and access is also likely to increase funding for arts and culture.

“There is limited funding for arts and culture in Erie County and we know that,” Mashyna said. “If we can find a way to make the entire community benefit from what we have, the funding will follow.”

Case in point­—a $65,000 grant ArtsErie received from the Kresge Foundation in early November­—which was based in part on data from CultureSpark.

With dedicated community support and stable income, organizers hope Erie’s artists/creatives will be able to thrive and grow.

“Erie is alive with culture,” said Erie poet Chuck Joy. “Our spoken word, musical, theatrical, visual arts, dance and film modalities are all active and indigenous, arising from the sandy soil of our northern shore like wildflowers, waving in the scented breeze.”

culture spark erie county cultural plan

Art Becker Photo | artbeckerphoto.com

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11/4/09 10:06 AM

Better Together: Key Indicators

By Susan Weiner

If you wanted to improve the overall quality of life for the residents of Erie County, how would you do it?

What if you could select a manageable number of specific signs that define quality of life in Erie County?

And what if you could follow these signs, available in various types of statistics already being generated, to see whether or not they improve over time?

recommend solutions that will make a measurable difference in reducing the rate of poverty in our community.

The CAPs were a logical lead-in to the indicator project.

An indicator is a specific bit of information that tells us something about a larger entity or issue. We see indicators in use all around us—from your body temperature as an indicator of health or illness to the national unemployment rate as an indicator of the status of the U.S. economy. Better Together will focus on indicators related to priorities for Erie County.

“We all care about the same things, but until now we never sat down together to agree on what the priorities in our community are,” says Mike Batchelor, president of The Erie Community Foundation, about the three organizations spearheading the new initiative.

Art Becker Photo | artbeckerphoto.com

And what if you could focus everyone’s attention on these signs so that nonprofit organizations and others would be challenged to create projects to move those signs in the right direction?

If you could embark on this course of action, you would be taking the three-step approach to improving quality of life that several communities across the United States and Canada are already taking. And you would be doing exactly what The Erie Community Foundation, the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership (ERCGP) and United Way of Erie County are joining forces to do 10

through a collaborative project called Better Together.

If it all sounds abstract, that’s because it is—at this point. The signs—or key indicators—of the well-being of Erie County residents have yet to be selected. Once that’s accomplished, they can be tracked and used as the basis for creative projects that deal with such essentials as early childhood education, workforce training opportunities and access to health care. Even before Better Together came into being, the Foundation already had Community Advisory Panels (CAPs) to study these three areas and

The three organizations represent large constituencies in the region.

Through the generosity of area donors, the Foundation invests millions of dollars in the community for necessary human services every year. In fact, in 2008 it was more than $9 million through more than 1,400 grants. The ERCGP consists of more than 800 member businesses and organizations. United Way directly touches 100,000 people in Erie County through its 33 member agencies.

That’s more than one-third of the population.

The Erie Community Foundation, a Diamond Investor in ERCGP and Growth Partnership, has committed $100,000 to fund Better Together.

Will Be Key to Erie County’s Future The funds will pay for research into best practices related to key indicators, grant writing for additional funding from other sources, research into projects created in other communities to address community problems similar to ours, communication about the progress of the project through The Foundation’s Web site and publications, and administration of the project by the staff of The Nonprofit Partnership, a nonprofit management support organization created and supported by The Erie Community Foundation.

Business interests “The business sector is interested in the well-being of our community from a civic responsibility perspective,” says Jim Dible, president and CEO of the ERCGP. “We want this to be a place we’re all proud of. The business community’s support is based on the fact that we live here, work here and employ here, so we need to be part of initiatives that come out of Better Together.

“While there are many projects already going on in an effort to make

things better in our community, Better Together is designed to take a long-term view of our vital signs to measure how we’re doing. What gets measured gets done,” he adds.

The Chamber’s core mission and top priorities are compatible with Better Together. The core mission is to provide the leadership to attract, retain and expand business in the region. “If Better Together proves successful over time, it will encourage the business sector,” Dible says. “Businesses have to have a certain level of confidence in the community in order to invest in their own companies. That means not only retention, but expansion.”

Dible believes that Better Together can also support the attraction of new business to the area. “Companies that are considering coming to Erie ask, ‘Do you have what I need?’ If we’re doing a good job of tracking our vital signs and translating the results into action for improvements, those companies will not only see the potential of our region, they will also see an effort to continue to measure and act on the priorities the community has identified.”

Follow the progress of Better Together at www.ErieCommunityFoundation.org. The first formal report to the community will be made at the Foundations’ annual meeting in August 2010. To get involved, contact the organization that best represents you—the Foundation, Chamber or United Way.

Research and results Better Together is a long-term process.

“It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” Batchelor says. “We have to trust the process and maintain focus. Unlike past community planning activities, Better Together is not under-resourced.

The Erie Community Foundation has indicated that future grantmaking will be influenced by this work.”

Research is an important first step in the process. The Nonprofit Partnership, an Investor in the ERCGP, will research lessons learned from key indicator projects in other communities. Four local colleges and universities will also be involved in the project. Gannon University, Mercyhurst College, Penn State Erie-The Behrend College and Edinboro University will research best practices from around the country that hold promise for pilot programs in Erie County.

If these projects work for our community, involvement of elected officials and public policy changes are inevitable, according to Batchelor.

“Anything that philanthropy can do in the private sector is dwarfed by what can be done in the public sector,” says Batchelor, who, along with other partners, will be keeping elected officials informed of the progress of Better Together.

A finger on the pulse “Taken together, the indicators we choose will be the pulse of our community’s well-being,” says Bill Jackson, interim president of United Way of Erie County, an Investor in the (Continued on next page)

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(Continued from page 11)

ERCGP. “If we look at the building blocks of a good life—like education, a livable income and health care—we can make a measurable contribution toward improving those conditions for our residents. Better Together will help us link program results to community results.”

Jackson points out that this linking is more important than ever as funds for non-profit programs become tighter. “With Better Together, we’ll direct resources at organizations that are successful at achieving outcomes that move our indicators in the right direction,” he says.

An important benefit of Better Together, Jackson points out, will be that all three organizations­—as well as the entire community­—will have a common language for talking about what’s important to Erie County residents.

The Erie Community Foundation works to improve the quality of life in our region by evaluating and addressing community issues, by promoting responsible philanthropy and by connecting donors to the critical needs of our community.

You too can make a difference.

We’re better together.

“We might not all want the same solution to a problem, but we will be looking at the same indicators and the same desired outcome.

These are everybody’s issues. We all need to be aware of them and be part of the solution.”

459 West 6th Street • Erie, Pennsylvania 16507 www.ErieCommunityFoundation.org • (814) 454.0843

For the Holidays

give the gift of Visit http://buy.eriepa.com or call (814) 454-7191 to purchase ERIE merchandise.

See pages 28-29 for more details.

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We’re expecting.

Hamot Women’s Hospital—the region’s first healthcare facility designed exclusively to meet the needs of women—will open its doors in 2011.

And while some might call it a revolution in women’s health, we see it as enhancing what we’re already doing.

Today, Hamot is delivering world-class care to women throughout the region. From nationally ranked cardiac and orthopaedic programs, to mother/baby care and breast health, to the region’s most advanced neonatal intensive care unit, Hamot Women’s Hospital will underscore our continued commitment to women throughout the region.

To learn more, please call 877-3826.

Hamot Women’s Hospital.

Arriving early 2011.

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Spreading the Wave: Kanzius Cancer Research with Help of Local Business Leaders

By Erika Howland

Although he didn’t live long enough to see his dream become a reality, John Kanzius’ legacy remains on course to put Erie on the map. In July, 2009, the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation reached new heights with the hiring of its first Executive Director, Mark Neidig.

Until 2009, the foundation was run solely by John Kanzius, his family, friends, and volunteers. And while the organization is still largely dependent on those volunteers, Kanzius’ untimely death in February 2009 has placed new emphasis on the need for leadership to

14

push his research into the next phase, human trials.

Neidig, who relocated to Erie with his wife of 28 years, Debbie, says it didn’t take him long to make the decision to get on board with the foundation. In recent years he has watched as several friends and family members have battled cancer in one form or another.

“I’m sick of it,” says Neidig, who most recently lost his best friend from college to the disease. “It sneaks up on you and reminds you of how fragile life is and how we not only need to capture the essence of every day life, but we need to solidify and grow our relationships and use every ounce of our being to combat this thing head on.”

Despite the new leadership role, Neidig says the foundation’s mission remains the same: To create national and global awareness of the potentials of the Kanzius Radiowave Treatment, and to raise funds

to help accelerate the speed at which research progresses to human trials.

Grants of more than $1 million from the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, a Bronze Investor in the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, has been put to use with a significant increase in the research staff, and additional support of ongoing laboratory expenses at The University of Texas’ M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

But to sustain momentum, more support is needed.

“And that’s where I come in,” says Neidig, who has been tasked with overseeing all functions of the foundation from both a philanthropic and marketing standpoint.

“This by far is the most promising non-profit position I have held because it’s not about providing ancillary services and treatments; it’s about change, he said. “I have the opportunity to impact the way cancer is looked at.”

Gains Momentum And while the research makes rapid progress down south, local partners are forging ahead with key components to making human trials a reality for the Erie area. Equipment for those trials is being built by Industrial Sales and Manufacturing, Inc., a Gold Investor in the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, and local company employing just over 100 people throughout three facilities. Plant Manager Charlie Rutkowski began working with John Kanzius nearly four years ago helping to troubleshoot some existing machinery.

Today dozens of Industrial Sales employees have logged thousands of volunteer hours helping to build third- and fourth-generation equipment. “At this point it’s not about the money,” says Rutkowski, whose main focus right now is creating a piece of useable equipment to pass FDA guidelines. “Just to be able to help out in any way we can in this effort is a great thing. We feel there is a greater good here for mankind in Erie. If there is a business benefit that is great too!”

Rutkowski says projections have been in the billions of dollars in terms of a possible economic impact on our community should this technology eventually treat cancer cells. “It’s really pretty huge compared to what the scope of our business does today.

In 1967 Rutkowski’s father and a partner started Industrial Sales and Manufacturing, Inc. in a garage. And

John Kanzius helped to secure the Regional Cancer Center as a pre-selected site for any study or protocol that comes out of the research. while it’s exciting to be part of the invention process of such revolutionary equipment, Rutkowski says it also means much more work. “There are a lot of aspects involved with this type of equipment including customer service, warranty, installation. It’s a whole new big business that has to be built and we have to keep that in mind as we progress.”

But that progress goes hand-in-hand with continued financial support, and that’s the biggest component to Neidig’s new position. “Certainly keeping the focus on what our role as a foundation is presents its challenges and that’s where I come in and define goals and prepare budgets where they didn’t exist before,” says Neidig. “And it’s with the relentless financial backing of the Erie community that makes it all possible.”

In addition to the partnerships formed with local businesses like Relish Inc., which sells beach glass pendants

to support cancer research, and Dutchman Tree Farms, which offers unique holiday wreathes, local nonprofits like the Erie Playhouse are taking up a collection and making donations to the foundation. Neidig says he never ceases to be amazed at the generosity of Erie residents.

“I read the newspaper, I see the news.

I know this community has been hit hard economically and yet the number of gifts and the consistency of the giving are just overwhelming.”

And while the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation keeps the donations and support coming, the Regional Cancer Center, a Gold Investor in the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, is also keeping its eye on the rapid progress. Although human trials could still be more than

(Continued on next page)

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(Continued from page 15)

two years away, the RCC is working behind the scenes to prepare Erie as one of the testing sites. “We realize it has a special value and attraction to the people of Erie,” says John Girard, director of operations at the RCC. “Mr. Kanzius was a friend and member of the community, so this project has particular value to us.”

research and protocol. Girard says the one area in which Erie won’t lack is finding volunteers. “If a study gets to the stage that involves human beings, you give your patient population the opportunity to participate in a treatment that will either help to treat their disease and extend their life, or participate in a process that helps

others. It’s honoring John and it’s about John and who he was in this community and what this community thinks of him.”

To learn more about the progress and technology of the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, visit www.KanziusCancerResearch.org.

Girard says trials of different proportions are underway at cancer centers across the country. And while this would be groundbreaking in terms of its potential effects on cancer cells, the RCC would see no financial gain in hosting these human trials.

Instead it would be a rare opportunity to help realize the dream of one of our own. “Because of John’s ties to this community, we are committed to doing whatever we need to do to support the human trials as they present themselves in the future.”

Before his passing, John Kanzius helped to secure the RCC as a preselected site for any study or protocol that comes out of the research. But Girard says before you can be selected a lot of work must be done behind the scenes including meeting the physical requirements for the machine, completing paperwork and ensuring you have capacity to carry out the

The Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, located in Erie, is funding an important study that may one day change how cancer is effectively treated.

Using precisely tuned radio frequencies and targeted nanoparticles of precious metals, we treat only malignant cells, leaving the healthy ones to flourish. This leading-edge technology is producing promising results at two of the most respected cancer research labs in the world — The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Treatment Center and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

We need your help financially, be it large or small, to advance this research so we can eliminate the physical and emotional side effects of today’s cancer treatment options.

Please visit KanziusCancerResearch.org or call 814-480-5776 to contribute and learn more about this unique combined technology, rooted right here in Erie.

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[

[i ns ights leadership

An interview with Secretary George E. Cornelius Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

ERIE: What do you see as the Commonwealth’s role in community and economic development?

“The Commonwealth plays a support role. We are here to make the investments that towns, counties, and businesses cannot make on their own— things like cleaning up Brownfield sites, infrastructure improvements, providing early stage investment capital for communities’ innovators and entrepreneurs, helping our small and mid-sized businesses develop their export markets, increasing tourism, attracting outside investment into the state, and helping our towns revitalize their downtowns and neighborhoods.

The overriding objective is to help create economic opportunity for Pennsylvanians, so they can improve their standard of living and quality of life.”

ERIE: What do you see as the greatest opportunity for Pennsylvania’s economy in the next five years?

“The battle for new private investment and well-paying jobs centers around our state’s intellectual capital and the competitiveness of our workforce.

Pennsylvania is well positioned to succeed in the area of higher education, but we’re not competitive with some other countries and states when it comes to high school graduates. Too many of our kids aren’t graduating from high school adequately prepared for the workforce or to move onto college or technical school to compete 20

for the best jobs globally. Despite our deficiencies, this represents our greatest opportunity. Others are and will remain asleep at the switch, so the door is open for us to make our move. If we wake up and take this global competition seriously, I have no doubt we can succeed and strengthen Pennsylvania’s position as one of the world leaders in the 21st-century global economy.

ERIE: You’ve been to Erie several times now, what is your impression of our region?

“I love Erie! Whenever I visit the region, I am encouraged by the community spirit and the high level of collaboration among community leaders, civic organizations, and individuals. It’s apparent people take pride in their city and region and want to continually improve opportunities for business development and growth, and encourage community development. People in Erie are working hard to ensure that opportunities exist for their children and grandchildren and aren’t easily distracted by petty disagreements. I admire and respect them for that.”

ERIE: Based on what you’ve learned about Erie’s workforce, do you see a need for a community college in northwestern Pennsylvania?

“Absolutely. I was shocked to learn that the area had no community college. Education is a critical component for economic development

throughout Pennsylvania, and community colleges play a vital role in serving as a bridge between high school and four-year institutions for certain students, as well as preparing individuals for careers that don’t require a bachelor’s degree. Community colleges also play a crucial role in lifelong learning.

Learning is not a once and be done with it endeavor. To remain competitive requires a lifetime of learning and skills development. Adults who lose their jobs, at whatever point in their careers, require the resources of a community college to help them learn the subject matter or skills necessary to move into the next career. Erie would do well to move on this initiative quickly.”

ERIE: If the Erie region could focus on only one initiative to grow its economy, what would you recommend?

“There’s no magic bullet to build a strong economy. You cannot solely focus on one issue, or one strategy to stimulate business growth or expansion. You have to give attention to all of the diverse factors that spur private investment and job creation.

“As I’ve already mentioned, education and fielding a highly competitive workforce are key. In addition, be sure to keep supporting your budding innovators and entrepreneurs by

providing incubator space and early stage investment capital, and don’t overlook those new, small, innovative businesses, which, in the end, will be the prime job generators. Wealth creation for any community is highly dependent upon innovation.

“Further infrastructure improvements and site-development work, continued investment in education and training programs creates a jobready work force, and community development projects to enhance the overall attractiveness of the region; all of these initiatives work in tandem to retain and attract entrepreneurs, businesses and industry to the region resulting in a strong, vibrant, economy.

“Finally, you have to ensure your tax burden is competitive, without falling prey to the misguided notion that the only thing that matters is having the lowest taxes. If you have the lowest taxes but fail to invest in education, infrastructure, and the other things that are essential to a region’s competitiveness and livability, you’ll end up with low taxes and few jobs, and the ones you have will tend to be the lowest paying. As with most things in life, balance is the key.

“Finally, the guiding principle should be to play to your strengths.

Don’t try to be something you’re not, or to mimic another area.

Erie has strengths. Reinforce and market them well.”

ERIE: What do you see as a key factor in the competitive business attraction game and what do you think is Erie’s best asset?

“It really depends on the industry and specific business. Erie will be competitive in certain arenas, but not in others. One of the key factors, without a doubt, is Erie’s geographic location and transportation

Born: Mechanicsburg, Pa.

talking points

Family: Wife, Susan; sons, Andrew and David; daughter-in laws, Sarah and Katherine Education: B.S., Penn State; J.D., Dickinson School of Law Favorite Book: The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco Current Book: Animal Spirits: How Human Psychology Drives the Economy, and Why It Matters for Global Capitalism by George Akerlof and Robert Shiller Hobbies: Cycling, hiking, photography and reading Travel: Favorite vacation spot is the South Island of New Zealand Favorite Sports Team(s): Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and Penn State football Favorite Quote: “It is what it is.” (in other words, don’t whine or complain; just face reality and move on)

infrastructure. These are huge selling points for prospective businesses.

The Port of Erie, Pennsylvania’s only Great Lakes port, provides efficient and cost-effective service to major U.S. and Canadian cities, as well as markets beyond. Freight rail services, a key aviation asset in Erie International Airport, and three U.S. interstate highways provide easy access to U.S. and international markets, including the Midwest, Northeast and MidAtlantic, and Toronto. And this access comes with a relatively low cost of living and doing business. It’s a strong mix.”

ERIE: What would you tell a business leader considering an investment in the Erie region about the advantages of doing business here?

“It’s an opportunity to position your business at the doorstep of a huge consumer and industrial market, stretching from Boston to D.C., the entire Midwest, and Toronto and the rest of Ontario. Erie’s cost structure is highly competitive. And it offers an exceptional quality of life. It supports entrepreneurship and innovation, offers a good mix of quality colleges, and has a relatively high skilled

workforce. When outsiders move to Erie, they usually love living there.

That tells you a lot about an area.”

ERIE: As a former CEO, what skills does a business leader need today to be effective?

“Leaders today need to be good at unleashing the full capacity of their workforce. The command-and-control model is obsolete. Leaders who cling to it will be left behind, as will their companies. If a leader is to enhance his or her business’s competitiveness over the long term, he or she will have to lead, not control. The key differentiator, in the end, will be the intellectual capital that can be brought to bear in innovating and creating new value and wealth.”

ERIE: If you could select three business leaders to have dinner with, who would it be and why?

“Warren Buffet, for his wisdom and wit; Bill Gates, for his off-the-charts smarts and his transition to a life of philanthropy; and Steve Jobs, mostly because I love my iPhone, but also because he is a genius at tying products to the needs and wants of consumers.”

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You Need It? When Jake Rouch, the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership’s vice president for economic development, attends a trade show he consistently fields one question: “Will companies in your region do contract manufacturing?”

to Connect Region’s Manufacturer’s with Global Leads Email Melanie Johnson mjohnson@eriepa.com for enrollment details today!

Not only is the answer a resounding “yes!” but northwestern Pennsylvania is— in Rouch’s not-so-humble opinion—the “Manufacturing Center of the World.”

Tap Into Manufacturing Because of this need and our region’s manufacturing strength, Rouch launched “Tap Into Manufacturing” during the ERCGP’s Annual Meeting in November.

Tap Into Manufacturing is a new program to connect local and regional manufacturers to contract manufacturing opportunities within the region and across the country.

The system is an easy-to-use, match-maker database accessible via the internet and actively promoted to potential customers through advertising and trade show marketing—utilizing a stunning custom-designed trade show booth showcasing northwestern Pennsylvania’s manufacturing prowess. Value will be delivered to national and international companies seeking contract manufacturing solutions. Value will be delivered to regional companies through new opportunities to bid on contracts with a wider universe of companies.

“Many communities, regions and states attend trade shows with the hopes of attracting new investors to their geographic region,” explains Rouch. “However, finding true investment opportunities on the trade show floor can be akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Therefore, the nature of activity at these trade shows must transition to a different type of business attraction.”

Industry trade shows are predominantly attended by buyers and sellers of equipment, raw materials, component parts, and technology—not new facility, investment-level decision makers. That is why Tap Into Manufacturing will be attractive to attendees that want to contract with our manufacturers. For regional manufacturers, trade shows are a sales and marketing event, but can be costprohibitive. Trade shows can also be a hit and miss proposition as local manufacturers told the ERCGP during a recent focus group on the concept.

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We Make It. Benefits for Regional Manufacturers Tap Into Manufacturing will help regional manufacturers by generating leads for local companies, solidifying existing jobs in the market by helping to generate new orders, creating jobs through new orders, providing a cost-effective way for manufacturers in Erie/NWPA to attend or have a presence at trade shows on a regular basis, and offer a regional complement to local companies that are exhibiting or attending.

How Does it Work?

Tap Into Manufacturing is an on-line database. Major trade shows have wireless internet access available on the show floor so attendees can conduct searches in a real-time manner via the Tap Into Manufacturing booth with results sent instantly to both the searching company and those companies identified via the search.

Tap Into Manufacturing is also searchable at all times via eriepa.com, which receives more than two million hits a year, and the Web sites of Tap Into Manufacturing’s supporting partners. By establishing a real-time searchable database for suppliers and contract manufacturers, the ERCGP will

increase the number of sales opportunities and leads for the region’s existing base of employers.

“Tap Into Manufacturing is dynamic, interactive and up-todate,” says Rouch. “This system combines the presence of a geographic region seeking new business investors with an approach similar to a manufacturer’s representative with the cost-effectiveness of trade association or federation.

What makes this approach unique, says Rouch, is the solutions for both parties—companies seeking solutions and companies who can provide solutions—and the aggressive and proactive approach to get attendees and exhibitors to search the database.

“This is a need that is long overdue,” adds Melanie Johnson, business retention and expansion manager. “Technology now enables us to collectively market the manufacturing capabilities of the northwest Pennsylvania region and for the data to be updated regularly by the company itself, not a third party. It’s a proactive ‘shopping’ mechanism that has been lacking for this market until now.”

To get your company in the database, visit tapintomanufacturing.com or contact Melanie Johnson at (814) 454-7191 or email mjohnson@eriepa.com

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innovator change agent

entrepreneur leader

GANNON UNIVERSITY WhERE ENTREpRENEURShIp ANd INNOVATION COmE TO LIfE Business students enrolled in masters and doctoral programs at Gannon University have the unique opportunity to benefit from Gannon’s partnership with the Small Business Development Center and the Erie Technology Incubator, both of which are housed within Gannon’s vibrant downtown campus.

These partnerships give students the opportunity to: • Take their ideas and skills to the next level through research and consulting opportunities with innovative technology companies • Develop a business plan for one of the over 850 local small businesses served by the SBDC annually • Utilize these extraordinary resources and networking opportunities to grow their own ideas Find out more about these, and other opportunities Gannon offers masters and doctoral students by contacting the Office of Graduate Admissions at 814.871.7474 or graduate@gannon.edu.

814.871.7474 | gannon.edu/graduate

Erie Homes for Children and Adults Assisting people with disabilities to live rich and fulfilling lives

www.ehca.org 26

Sandi Carangi, VP of Business Development; Carol Laemmerhirt, Business Relationship Officer

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For the Holidays

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Givee the Giift of... o

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To purchase ERIE merchandise, please visit

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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE

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give the gift of Visit http://buy.eriepa.com or call (814) 454-7191 to purchase this and other ERIE merchandise.

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