APRIL/MAY 2013
Talk About a Good Neighbor A home away from home for young Canadian hockey players.
Celebration of
Excellence The United States and Canada Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership
Canadian Neighbors Go Green
Industrial Process and Management Consultants lend their skills to Ontario biodiesel startup.
Lake Effect Lucky Erie positioned for increased customs allowance from Canadian shoppers.
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Editorial/Contributor List 2013 ERCGP Board of Directors Donald Birx, Ph.D. Robert Mazza John Bloomstine Marlene D. Mosco Carl M. Carlotti Jack A. Munch Terrence Cavanaugh Neil Parham Rosanne Cheeseman James W. Riley Gary L. Clark James Rutkowski, Jr. John Dill Matthew Schultz Mary L. Eckert Nicholas Scott, Jr. Scott Eighmy Gretchen Seth Jeffrey Evans, CFP Ronald A. Steele James Fiorenzo Keith Taylor, Ph.D. Barbara Haggerty David Tullio Thomas C. Hoffman II Russell S. Warner Timothy Hunter Michael Weber Charles G. Knight Scott A. Whalen, Ph.D. John P. Leemhuis, Jr. Mary Beth Wilcher Marsha Marsh Julie Wollman, Ph.D James E. Martin, Chair Scott Wyman 2013 ERCGP Staff Barbara C. Chaffee President/CEO
SAVE THE DATE
Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership Upcoming Signature Events
5-22 7-27 9-25 11-7
Annual Golf Outing May 22 Peek’n Peak Resort & Spa
Beer on the Bay
July 27 Liberty Park – Bayfront
Fall Member Fest
September 25 Shades Beach – Harborcreek
Annual Meeting
November 7 Ambassador Conference Center
Jacob A. Rouch Vice President, Economic Development Claudia K. Thornburg Vice President, Chamber Linda C. Robbins Financial Officer Joelyn J. Bush Director of Marketing & Communications Sabrina Chirco Economic and Workforce Development Specialist Melanie A. Johnson Director, Growth Partnership Division Douglas M. Massey Manager, Erie Business Action Team Cathy Noble Events Coordinator Benjamin C. Pratt Director of Research Susan M. Ronto Membership Coordinator Nadeen M. Steffey Account Executive Editor Joelyn J. Bush Contributing Writers Mary Birdsong Tricia Wood DeMarco Lori Nikolishen Contributing Photographers Art Becker Photography www.artbeckerphoto.com Design PAPA Advertising www.PAPAadvertising.com For Advertising Information: Nadeen Steffey, Account Executive (814) 454.7191 x139 nsteffey@eriepa.com
Erie Magazine APRIL/MAY 2013
What’s Inside Professional Perspective 2 Beyond Public Service
New Investors 4 FE ature Articles Talk About a Good Neighbor 14 A home away from home for young Canadian hockey players.
Canadian Neighbors Go Green
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Industrial Process and Management Consultants lend their skills to Ontario biodiesel startup.
Lake Effect Lucky 24 Erie positioned for increased customs allowance from Canadian shoppers.
Special Editions Tullio Award Winner Athena PowerLink®
IN each issue Organizational Updates Chamber Economic Development Growth Partnership
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Consistent Features 12 Erie Entrepreneurship Erie’s Healthcare Collaboration Regional Initiative Updates 18 Destination Erie: A Regional Vision Vital Signs Erie Regional Education and Training Consortium
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Follow, Fan, Tag, Connect…
Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership
Professional Perspective
Beyond Public Service by Governor Tom Ridge
Ten years ago this month, then-Deputy Prime Minister of Canada John Manley and I held a press conference upon meeting with 150 of Canada’s largest enterprises. As I said then of the Canadian - U.S. relationship, and still believe: “We are strong allies committed to each other’s success. We believe in freedom and are working together, at home and abroad, to promote and protect it. We share a fundamental underlying economic strength that has stood the test of time, in good and bad. And we have built a model of friendship and cooperation that is a role model for all nations.” That theme of respect and friendship was one that both Minister Manley and I had repeated often at prior events and meetings – and for me, extended to Minister Manley himself, who I first came to know soon after the attacks of September 11th, 2001.
“We both saw compromise as a win, and because of that were able to achieve a great deal in our collaborations.” It was in October 2001, just after I was sworn in as Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, that President George W. Bush said to me: “We’ve ramped up security at our border, but we’ve brought commerce to a screeching halt.” I was given the swift direction to fix it. I knew
April/May 2013
immediately that the person I could work with to do that was Minister Manley. Canada, in fact, was the first country to reach out to me with their offer to help as we recovered and rebuilt our security and economic interests after the devastating attacks of 9/11. That assistance came to me directly through John Manley, who came to the United States to meet with me in Washington, DC. He was, and is, affable, smart and incredibly well versed about the world as it was, and as it had just been thrown apart in throes of the attack by al Qaeda. We had our work cut out for us. But by December 12th of that year, John and I signed the Smart Border Declaration and the associated Secure and Smart Border 30-point Action Plan. It was designed on the premise that public security and economic security are mutually reinforcing, and that we must do everything possible to secure the free flow of goods and people between our two nations. As we both saw it, we had a unique opportunity to build a 21st Century Smart Border Accord that could protect and enhance our mutual interests and shared relationship – and we seized it. Over the years, however, it unfortunately languished and did not have the staying power with our governments that we had hoped it would. At least not in its original form and not with the same vision to see that the US-Canadian border could become a truly integrated border unlike anything else in the modern world.
Celebration of EXCELLENCE Still, the early fundamental principles of the Accord still exist today. In the years since 9/11, our two nations continue to work toward better processes to secure the flow of people, the secure the flow of goods, a more secure infrastructure and better coordination and information sharing in areas of threat information and law enforcement. And to my good fortune, also over these many years, my friendship with John Manley has continued beyond our positions of public service. I remember having a conversation with President Bush after he had met with Prime Minster Chretien. He said, “Well, we didn’t agree but I sure appreciate his honesty and his candor as we try to work out this particular problem.” The candor is essential among close friends. My friend John Manley and I had many discussions that began with divergent points of view – not always in our minds but within our respective shops – but we were candid with each other and knew that the objectives we were pursuing were more important than the two men working on them.
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In fact, John and I agreed from the beginning that we wouldn’t let political, partisan differences get in the way of what we wanted to achieve. We both saw compromise as a win, and because of that were able to achieve a great deal in our collaborations. I was lucky. I had the benefit of working with a leader who had the respect of both sides of his country’s political aisles. He was always vested in the interests of Canada and always striving to ensure Canada was engaged on the world stage. I don’t know if I’ve ever met a public servant who has the breadth and depth of wisdom that John has. It is one thing to be interested in the world; it is another to be knowledgeable about it. John was and remains both. In my view, he has no peer. I’m honored to have worked with Minister John Manley during such a historic and pivotal time in our two nation’s histories – and I remain proud to call him my friend. Cheers to you John and all you have done for our two countries.
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Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership
New Investors GOLD LEVEL HERO BX
Producer of biodiesel fuel. Mr. Mike Noble 1540 East Lake Road / Suite 300 / Erie, PA 16511 (814) 528-9200 / www.herobx.com
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner Smith, Inc.
Financial services, investment management and retirement planning. Mr. John Masterson 510 Cranberry Street / Erie, PA 16507 (814) 461-6014 / www.ml.com
B RONZE LEVEL SB3, LLC
Class A office space and industrial park offering a convenient location and ample parking, 24 hour security, various tax benefits and rail access. Mr. Mark Zukowski 1540 East Lake Road / Suite 300 / Erie, PA 16511 (814) 528-9107 / www.sb3erie.com
Lamjen, Inc.
As your single source ISO 9001: 2008 certified manufacturing or contract machining solution, consistently delivers complex tooling and parts to your exact machined specifications and requirements, short or long run. Lamjen, Inc., the machine shop for you. Mr. Jim Herdzik 2254 East 30th Street / Erie, PA 16510 (814) 459-5277 / www.lamjen.com
Leasure Tushak Accounting and Tax Service
A certified public accounting office offering bookkeeping, payroll services, all types of tax services, business set up and business planning. Ms. Justina Tushak 1623 West 26th Street / Erie, PA 16508 (814) 456-1040 / www.tushakaccounting.com
Max & Erma’s Restaurants
All-American favorites such as, gourmet burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches, pastas, oversized salads and build your own sundae!
INVES TOR LEVEL
Ms. Melissa Schade 2078 Interchange Road / Erie, PA 16509 (814) 860-3332 / www.maxandermas.com
Provides trusted, reliable and high quality medical staffing services.
Sanford Company
Bright Star
Mr. Steve O’Dell 1001 State Street Suite 1100 / Erie, PA 16501 (814) 455-7827 / www.brightstarcare.com
A full line, full service distributor of paper products, plastic bags, janitorial cleaning supplies and equipment, serving Northwest Pennsylvania and the Southern tier of New York. Family owned and operated since 1970.
Erie Ice Works
Mr. Jason Sanford 4736 Pittsburgh Avenue / Erie, PA 16509 (814) 835-8394 / www.sanfordcompany.com
Creates high quality custom hand-carved ice sculptures; able to accommodate any type or size of event. Also sells block and dry ice and offers live ice carving demonstrations. Mr. Bill Sandusky PO Box 9491 / Erie, PA 16505 (814) 449-8584 / www.erieiceworks.com
KDIndustries
Commercial ice machines, bins, dispensers and crushers. Mr. John Zwigart 1525 East Lake Road / Erie, PA 16511 (814) 528-9217 / www.kold-draft.com
April 2013
Venango Machine
The world’s oldest platen manufacturer. Since 1954 Venango Machine has developed leading edge technology and has set the stage for advancements in the rubber, laminating, plywood and particleboard industries. With the perfect combination of machines and experience, Venango Machine can meet all of your contract machine requirements. Ms. Nyla Vogel 14118 Route 8 & 89 / Wattsburg, PA 16442 (814) 739-2211 / www.venangomachine.com
C N T R IIZBATI U TO E NAL D C OULPDATE UMNS OO R GAN
Organizational Updates Chamber
Economic Development
by Claudia Thornburg, Vice President
by Jake Rouch, Vice President
Spring is finally upon us, and the staff of the ERCGP anticipates a productive and exciting season. The ERCGP is continually seeking ways to improve the relevancy of our communications and events while adding value to your membership investment. Please take a moment to read about our recent changes and some of what we have in the works. The new format and features of ERIE Magazine are meant to catch your attention. Our members have always been our main focus, but we thought we should share updates on the organization’s activities and initiatives that impact the business community and the entire region. You will see an update in each issue from the Chamber Division, Economic Development Division, and Growth Partnership Division. In addition, we have added regular features around health and wellness, entrepreneurship and education. By now you should have received at least one issue of Currents which took the place of Erie EXTRA our bi-weekly online newsletter. We hope that you find the content fresh, interesting and worthy of sharing with others. You will also find regular features that include Member Tags, Trending Now, ERIE Educates and Featured Neighborhood. Our partnership with Chamber Choice has developed too. Last year Chamber Choice introduced My Benefits, a creative benefits plan to meet your employees’ needs with a range of affordable health, dental and vision coverage. A new property and casualty business insurance April/May 2013
program was introduced through Penn National. This program carries with it dividend potential for those enrolled. OnDemand continues to be a reliable and effective electricity savings partner. In partnership with National Fuel Resources, we have negotiated a program to provide competitive pricing for natural gas consumption. A full list of member savings programs can be found on eriepa.com. The ERCGP Annual Golf Outing is just around the corner, May 22nd. Once again we will treat golfers to an amazing day of camaraderie and competition. The 6th Annual Beer on the Bay, July 27th, promises additional craft beer representation and an enhanced VIP area. A big thank you to our Signature Event Sponsors who help to make all of our events can’t miss, Class A, events.
“We hope to hear from you soon!” Our commitment to engage with our members in two way meaningful conversation has never been stronger. With all of our various networking events, print publications, online and social media applications it is difficult NOT to hear from us. What we desire is to hear from YOU. It’s a great Chamber day when we get the opportunity to visit with our members, one on one, to explore challenges and opportunities together. We hope to hear from you soon.
When traveling, have you ever stayed at an upscale hotel? At high end hotels, when you need something - directions, tickets to a show, restaurants reservations - the concierge desk provides you unprecedented service in fulfilling your needs. That is how you should view the Economic Development Division of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership.
The “ED Division” is designed to solve problems, to provide direction, and to answer questions. We pride ourselves on our service. We enjoy the challenge of connecting businesses to solutions that can help them sleep better at night - solutions that address a challenge and make their business function better. We call our concierge team the Business Action Team. The manager of our team is Doug Massey (dmassey@eriepa.com) and his able colleague is Sabrina Chirco (schirco@eriepa.com). The key to getting the Business Action Team working more directly for you is to “ring the bell” at our front desk – place a phone call or e-mail to initiate service. Doug and Sabrina have also been trained as workforce development specialists. They can provide you with expert guidance and connections to PA CareerLink® services as well as potentially connect
ofNAL EXCELLENCE OCelebration R GAN I Z ATI O U PDATE S
Growth Partnership by Melanie Johnson, Director you to training dollars for new or existing employees. Given the challenge of finding and keeping a high quality workforce, their assistance should not be underestimated. So what other kind of things can the ED Division’s Business Action Team help connect you to? Here is a sample of the assistance we can connect you to: succession planning, strategic planning, new market development, new building assistance, machinery and equipment financing, government procurement, international business assistance, innovation financing, and market research.
“We know how much your business means to you.” We know how much your business means to you. We want you to know how much your business means to US! Help us, help you be even more successful. Reach out to us with your questions - with your needs and let us get to work helping you in any way we can.
Workforce development continues to be one of the top priorities for the Growth Partnership. As we have delved more deeply into this, we have learned that there are numerous programs both within the schools and throughout the broader community to help better prepare young people for meaningful employment, but that these programs could benefit exponentially from greater input from the private sector. We have also learned that the faculty and staff within the schools and the professionals delivering programs throughout the community are very interested in that additional private sector engagement.
Currently we are working on the following initiatives to address the issues facing our community and businesses: • Common Core State Standards An Erie Business Convening Team consisting of 20 stakeholders is in place to address how the business leaders can enhance the efforts to implement diverse state curricula into alignment with each other by following the principles of standardsbased education reform.
• Education and Training Consortium The Leadership Consortium Core Group has reviewed of the catalogue of regional post-secondary programs and a consortium prototype and website portal are currently in development. • Career Affect Days The Erie Regional Chamber Staff and Visit Erie Staff hosted twenty sophomores from Harborcreek, Northwestern and McDowell High Schools. Each staff member shared their own career pathways and the students learned about various career opportunities in our respective industries. • Aligning Education to Careers for K-12 The Career Street website portal is under construction and is expected to be launched in April 2013. The website, a first of its kind in the region, will allow students, teachers, school counselors, businesses and partner organizations to connect to one another easily by attending and hosting events to relevant career opportunities in our region.
Keep up to date with all of our organizational happenings at eriepa.com
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SPECIAL E DITION STORY
TULLIO AWARD WINNER
NICK SCOTT, SR. The Louis J. Tullio Award recognizes a person or persons who have performed outstanding service by actively using abilities, initiative, resources and energies to sustain and improve the Erie community for the present and future generations. Nominations for this special award are submitted and voted on by the Board of Directors of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership annually. The 2013 Louis J. Tullio Award recipient is Nick Scott, Sr., President/CEO of Scott Enterprises. We Promise to Care. Nick Scott, Sr. was raised to believe he could do anything he aspired to. A son of Greek immigrants and as a youth growing up in Erie, he learned some valuable lessons in hard work which ignited an entrepreneurial spirit for risk taking! After graduating from Cornell University’s prestigious School of Hospitality Management, Scott saw the new “franchise” concept as an innovative way to grow the family business. His vision to acquire land near the intersection of RT 19 & I-90 is the hallmark of his success as a trailblazer in the hospitality industry. This location is now home to 15 of Scott’s hospitality locations. As President/CEO of Scott Enterprises, Nick Scott, Sr. is the consummate entrepreneur. He has invested more than $250 million dollars boosting the economic growth and prosperity in our region. He employs more than 2,200 people (peak season), making his company one of the largest employers in Northwest Pennsylvania. More than 4 million people annually experience one of Scott’s locations.
April/May 2013
“We Promise to Care” is the Scott company motto. Caring for the employees, customers and the community are the pillars to this motto and drive the organization every day. Giving back to the community has been a priority for this entrepreneur. Everyday Scott Enterprises’ team members come to work promising to care for their guests, their community, and each other. Some of those organizations that benefit include: • The United Way • The American Red Cross • The Muscular Dystrophy Association • The American Heart Association • Shriners Hospitals for Children • Make A Wish Foundation • The Erie City Mission • Scott Enterprises is a strong supporter of the arts and has been a significant financial supporter of the Erie Philharmonic for 72 consecutive years, and is currently the major sponsor of this vital community asset. Additionally, Scott Enterprises supports Gannon, Mercyhurst, Edinboro, and Penn State Universities and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and is a platinum level investor with the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership. Congratulations Nick Scott, Sr.!
Celebration of EXCELLENCE
Congratulations Nick! On behalf of our Board of Directors, members and the entire tourism industry we congratulate the 2013 Louis J. Tullio Award Winner
Nick Scott, Sr
Congratulations Nick Scott
2013 Louis J. Tullio Community Service Award Awarded By Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership “Thanks for your commitment to Erie and for the opportunities you have created for so many� ~ From Your Family at Scott Enterprises
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SPECIAL E DITION STORY
Congratulations to this year’s ® ATHENA PowerLink panel recipients!
The ATHENA PowerLink® program was introduced to the Erie Community in 2000 and since has provided professional mentors to more than 23 women business owners. The ATHENA PowerLink® program is a business mentoring program designed to increase the growth and profitability of women owned businesses. Although the number of women owned businesses has been growing fast and furiously for some time, the growth rate for women business owners is slower than that of their male counterparts. ATHENA PowerLink® strives to help women business owners navigate hurdles and barriers to growth such as achieving access to new networks, mentors, best business practices, staff/employee management issues, etc. previously unavailable to them. The premise is simple - a panel of expert volunteers advises a woman business owner on important issues specific to her business with the goal of increasing the development and success of her business. The program “links” a woman business owner with an Advisory Panel, recruited from their local community, to work with her at no cost for one year. The mission of ATHENA PowerLink® is to increase the growth and profitability of women-owned businesses.
April/May 2013
ATHENA PowerLink® promotes the overall mission of Athena International in supporting, developing and honoring women leaders, inspiring women to achieve their full potential and creating balance in leadership worldwide. ATHENA PowerLink® provides professional advisory panels to women-owned businesses to assist in business growth. Each advisory panel is tailored to the specific needs of the company as defined by the business plan, goals and objectives of the enterprise. The panel’s goal is to ultimately help women-owned businesses learn how to network better, access capital and implement best practices. In northwest Pennsylvania, the program is offered to women-owned businesses in Erie and Crawford Counties by the Erie ATHENA PowerLink® Governing Body through ATHENA International. Congratulations to this year’s ATHENA PowerLink® panel recipients: Mary Beth Graml, Grapevine Laundry, Inc. Adria Johnson, Head Cases Lauren Mozdy, MD, Integrative Med-Spa For more information: athenaerie.org.
Celebration of EXCELLENCE
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C ON NSTIR I B NT U T EFE D ATU C ORLEUSM N CO S TE
ERIE Entrepreneurship Contributed by John Leemhuis, Jr. Esq. Shareholder at the Quinn Law Firm Committee Chair, Chamber of Commerce Division You may notice not only a new look to the ERIE magazine, but also new content. The Chamber division recently took a long look at the magazine. We surveyed our members to find what topics were important to our readers, and we made a concerted effort to give you the content that you want and make this magazine a “must read.” While we could hit a different topic every month and find some interest among the readers every time, we felt that a recurring theme would allow us to dig much deeper into a truly core topic of importance to our community. Each month the ERIE magazine will have a feature that focuses on entrepreneurship. This topic is more than just a catchy phrase. It’s an essential component to the growth and success of our community… because it’s about jobs. Considering the audience reading this article, it may seem rhetorical to ask what’s so important about jobs, but today, good jobs…not just any jobs… are more critical than ever. Indeed, Jim Clifton, the Chairman of Gallup, concludes in his recent book “The Coming Jobs War,” that having a good job is now the great global dream; it’s the number one priority for everyone. The competition for these jobs is world-wide. The extensive data compiled by Gallup indicates that our federal government is not where these jobs can be created. Rather, Clifton thinks the locus for job creation is the city. Clifton is a proponent of entrepreneurship. He values it far more than innovation, where April/May 2013
it seems more resources are frequently devoted. Clifton states, “This is not to diminish the importance of innovation. It’s just that innovation has little to no value until it joins with entrepreneurship.”
“We surveyed our members to find what topics were important to our readers,” Nurturing entrepreneurship locally is one of his recipes for growing good jobs. This is both an opportunity and a challenge for a community like Erie. The positive perspective is that we can shape our own destiny.
In future issues we will explore the topic of entrepreneurship and job creation. We’ll share national and local data; inform you of our available community resources; look toward our neighbors in Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Buffalo for stories of success that we can repeat (or stories of failure that we should avoid); point out the initiatives undertaken by the Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership (such as Project Jobs); and describe how efforts that may seem disconnected to job growth are actually fundamental to its success (focus on education in K-12). As this feature unfolds, it is our hope that a dialogue centered on this topic will develop among our members. As it does, we will share the feedback that we receive from you including your personal stories about what entrepreneurship really means and how it can be nurtured. So please reach out to us. We want to hear what you have to say.
Celebration ofNT EXCELLENCE CO N S I S TE FE ATU R E S
Erie’s Healthcare Collaboration Contributed by Mark Kresse, PT, FACHE Manager, Health Services at GE Transportation
improving healthcare – simultaneously improving care processes and outcomes while lowering per capita cost - the Erie task forces recommended four specific initiatives: • Improve health literacy (an individual’s capacity to make informed health decisions) • Increase access to high-quality primary care • Enhance personal health information portability Past editions of this magazine, detailing the importance of Erie’s economic viability, have highlighted the essential roles of strong local municipalities, the arts, area public schools, and the spectrum of available post-secondary education. Access to high-quality, affordable healthcare is equally important to the Erie region’s competitiveness, and sustainability of its local businesses. On December 12, 2012, Erie community leaders gathered to review the work of two task forces formed earlier in the year. Participants learned about other communities, elsewhere in Pennsylvania and across the U.S., competing for business opportunities and jobs by working together for better healthcare quality at a lower cost. Following the nationally recognized “Three Part Aim” model for
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• Encourage payment innovation To implement the first two initiatives, these task forces (led by representatives from GE Transportation, Erie Insurance, Industrial Sales and Manufacturing, Inc. and the Erie County Medical Society) are currently executing plans including: • A study to define Erie County’s future capacity and demand for primary care resources, specifically considering the impending effects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
• Coaching and incentives to expand access to healthcare providers certified by nationally-recognized organizations in the management of chronic medical conditions. • Detailed communications strategies that will increase healthcare consumer awareness of community performance in delivering proven best practices, and how to find those high-quality providers. • Coordination with the Erie County Health Department’s 2012 Community Health Assessment and Plan, which will address prevention of chronic conditions. Interested in learning more about Erie’s Healthcare Collaboration? Contact Melanie Johnson at the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership.
• Creation of evidence-based “tool kits” to help key stakeholders – employers, healthcare providers, health plans, community organizations and individuals – improve their efforts to prevent and manage high-cost, chronic medical conditions.
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“Joining a billet family helps ease the transition by providing all the comforts of home.� April/May 2013
Celebration of EXCELLENCE
Talk About a Good Neighbor A home away from home for young Canadian hockey players. by Lori Nikolishen bil·let \ ’bi-l t\ (noun) e
Dictionary.com defines billet as lodging for a soldier, student, etc., as in a private home or nonmilitary public building. Ask any Erie Otters hockey player to define billet, and the answer you’ll get is likely to be along the lines of “home away from home.” The Erie Otters Hockey Club (an investor with the ERCGP), billet program began when the team launched in 1996, notes Paul Roper, the team’s media relations director. The program places young hockey players, ages 16 through 20, with a host – or billet – family. Players typically join a billet family in late August following training camps, and stay with the family through the season-end in March. If they’re lucky, they stay with their family until after the playoffs. “All 23 players on the Erie Otters’ roster live with one of 12 billet families,” notes Paul, “And all the families go through background checks to ensure the players are in a safe home.”
Decade of giving
The majority of the players that join billet families are looking for a long-term career in hockey, and for most of them, part of the process involves leaving home to pursue that dream. Joining a billet family helps ease the transition by providing all the comforts of home. The billet family receives a monthly stipend for food, season tickets, and, essentially, another family member.
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Sarah Lunger, a senior loan support analyst and assistant vice president with PNC Bank, got involved in the program ten years ago with her late husband, a former baseball and basketball coach who let kids stay with them when there was a need. One year a player needed a home halfway through the season and Sarah obliged. And so it began. Sarah has continued to serve as a billet since her husband’s passing in 2010, and just wrapped up her second year with Connor Brown and Adam Pelech – fellow players and childhood friends – in mid-March.
Dreaming big
The 2012-2013 season was Adam Pelech’s third wearing jersey #27 for the Erie Otters. The 18-year old plays defense and calls Toronto, Ontario, home. Adam is part of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) New York Islanders organization. He will attend development camp this summer, and hopes to attend training camp in September. The next step for Adam is to play for the American Hockey League (AHL). The Bridgeport Sound Tigers are the affiliate team – also referred to as a farm team – for the Islanders. Connor Brown wears number 28. This past season was his second playing the right wing position with the Otters. When not playing hockey in Erie, PA, the 19-year old calls Etobicoke, Ontario, home. Connor is part of the NHL’s
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Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership
Toronto Maple Leafs organization, and hopes to have the opportunity to attend spring prospect development camp. The next big step on his journey is a spot on the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate team, the Toronto Marlies. Connor hopes to achieve this goal in the next two or three years. Adam and Connor have it really good with Sarah. While Adam does like to do some cooking, Sarah does all of their laundry. While it is a very nice thing to do for the young men, she admits that, in part, it’s about keeping her washer and dryer operational. “They don’t know how good they have it,” she laughs, “Until they go home for the summer and have to do their own laundry.” Actually, Adam and Connor do know. Adam genuinely appreciates Sarah, and how easy she makes it for them. “She gives us time alone before the game to rest, prepares food for us, and helps get us ready,” says Adam, “Then she comes and cheers us on.” Connor is in complete agreement, noting how great they have it with Sarah. “She makes it so easy for us,” he says. “She’s been like a second mother,” Connor continues, “and she’s also a big Otters fan!”
April/May 2013
“These teens are going after the dream of playing in the NHL.” Must love hockey
While there are various things to consider when contemplating becoming a billet family, there is one that immediately comes to the forefront of Sarah’s mind: MUST LOVE HOCKEY. She can’t imagine being a billet and not going to cheer them on at the games. In addition to enjoying hockey, there are other criteria that factor in when placing players. For instance, players who are in high school must live with a billet family in Millcreek so they can attend McDowell High School. While students not in school can live with billet families in other areas, the Otters organization prefers that they are no more than 30 minutes away from downtown Erie.
Celebration of EXCELLENCE When asked what areas of Erie she makes sure her players get acclimated to, Sarah is quick to answer. “Peach Street is essential,” she says, “They can find anything they want or need there, and that is also where visiting parents usually find a room.” With eighty percent of the players hailing from Canada, most visits involve overnight stays. The second thing that Sarah points out speaks for itself: she shows them where to find the nearest Subway restaurant. In addition to being fans of Sarah, Adam and Connor are fans of Erie. Connor especially loves the atmosphere during an Otters game. “The crowd is really loud,” says Connor, “And that’s something I really love about playing here.” Adam shares this sentiment. “It’s great here,” he says, “Both with hockey and away from it.”
Lasting bonds
While not every player stays in touch after their stay with a billet family, many of them do. From time to time, Sarah finds herself wondering what happened to some of the young men that she invited into her home. Sometimes she gets a visit or a phone call to find out what’s new, other times news comes in unexpected ways. While keeping the player’s name and team a secret, Sarah recalls how cool it was to see one of her former players kiss the Stanley Cup, awarded each year to the NHL champion, on national television. “While you do a lot of mom-like things for them, you’re not their mom because they already have a mom,” says Sarah. “They are like any other teen at home with one exception,” she continues, “These teens are going after the dream of playing for the NHL.”
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R EG I O NAL I N ITIATIVE U PDATE S
Regional Initiative Updates VITAL SIGNS Erie is now Home to Wayne Primary Care
Destination Erie: A Regional Vision Erie Is… by Ben Pratt, Director of Research and Project Coordinator What is Erie? If you were asked to describe Erie forty to fifty years from now, how would you ideally want to respond… Erie is vibrant, Erie is traditional and quaint, IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO TELL US What your vision for the Erie Region really is! With the completion of the Existing Trends & Conditions report (which can be found on www.planerieregion.com) Phase 1 of Destination Erie: A Regional Vision has officially come to an end. Now the fun begins, and we shift our thinking into the exciting realm of possibilities! When you think of your town, your borough, your community and our region; what are your ideal scenarios, initiatives and project outcomes that you envision for the year 2040? These are the conversations we are most excited about having throughout the Greater Erie Region. ERIE IS… a region of possibilities and Destination Erie will be working now until the end of this year building a comprehensive future vision report/preferred future scenario for Erie County. There are many ways you can get involved in Destination Erie. First, you can sign up for our electronic newsletter on www. planerieregion.com. On our website you will also find a great deal of outreach tools and resources to inform you of the Destination Erie - Regional Plan for Sustainable Development process and other projects/studies that have been completed throughout the community that have helped shape the Existing April/May 2013
Contributed by the Erie Community Foundation Trends & Conditions Report. Another way to participate is to reach out to us directly! As you can imagine there are lot of great ideas out there and we want to make sure yours aren’t overlooked. Just send an email to bpratt@eriepa.com; our Community Engagement Task-force has really taken shape with the newly hired Strategy Solution Inc. as the lead for public outreach and we will work with you to provide you the tools to be heard! Finally, another great way to get involved is to mark your calendars for the upcoming public workshops May 7th & May 8th, be sure to check out the website to find a Workshop near you!
This February, communities across the nation celebrated the successes of School Based Heath Centers, which are positively redefining health care for our children. Now, thanks to School Based Health Centers, school children have access to quality mental and physical health care services. Ultimately, data proves that School Based Health Centers address obesity issues, provide preventative care, reduce inappropriate emergency room visits, decrease absenteeism and reduce tardiness. Through a partnership supported by UPMC Hamot, Community Health Net, and a Shaping Tomorrow grant from The Erie Community Foundation, the dream of the first School Based Health Center in the Erie Community became a reality this school year. Wayne Primary Care, 650 East Ave, is an independent, fully functioning, primary care, state-of-the art medical office located inside Wayne School, which is conveniently located for children as well as community members. “School Based Health Care prepares our children to lead healthy lives, and healthy kids are better learners. Moreover, Wayne Primary Care is open to the community too,” said Michelle Robertson FACHE, CMPE, Project Manager for School Based Health Centers. “The integration of behavioral health services and physical health services is an important part of what makes a School Based Health Center special.”
Celebration of EXCELLENCE R EG I O NAL I N ITIATIVE U PDATE S
Erie Regional Education and Training Consortium by Melanie Johnson, Director Growth Partnership Since the Wayne Primary Care office opened, the number of patients who access the counseling services has significantly increased. Because of the combination of physical and mental health services, the physician and the therapist at Wayne Primary Care are able to quickly consult with each other to ensure that each patient receives the needed care. Demand for counseling services, which are available three days per week on site, have tripled since the school based health center opened.
The Erie Regional Education and Training Consortium is made up of the four college presidents from Mercyhurst University, Edinboro University of PA, Penn State Behrend, and Gannon University, and representatives of the Erie Community Foundation, The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, Manufacturer and Business Association, the Erie County Technical School, City of Erie School District, and the Northwest Industrial Resource Center.
Wayne Primary Care also features a community education room. “We will soon be able to offer new group therapy options,” Robertson added. “These services will assist the children with sessions targeted at healthy communications, self esteem, and various other areas of need. We also see an interest in group therapy opportunities for the adult population.”
Consortium stakeholders came together this past year, convened by Senator Jane Earll, after recent attempts to develop a community college in our region were not successful. Even though Erie is fortunate to have 4 universities, a medical school, a strong K-12 system, and a variety of non-profit and proprietary postsecondary education providers, Erie County still has the lowest college attainment rate in the Commonwealth of PA and regional employers are complaining that they can’t get skilled individuals to fill jobs within their organizations even though we have many individuals that are out of work. The impact of this situation affects our community’s progress, economy, and ability to attract new businesses to our region.
“Therapists know the importance of children having a consistent positive adult influence in their lives,” said Melana Mears, Vice President of Community Impact at The Erie Community Foundation. “Seeing children, who may not always have a consistent place to live or who may experience other sorts of unpredictability, become more resilient and better able to learn and focus in school is most rewarding and achieves a Vital Signs goal.”
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The Consortium has also identified the following goals: 1. Raise the college attainment rate of Erie County residents and beyond 2. Provide affordable postsecondary educational opportunities for a diverse population in our region 3. Address and find solutions for providing technical workforce skills and training needed by employers To learn more about the effort of the Erie Regional Education & Training Consortium, please contact Peggy McCarthy, Project Director, at (814) 454-7191 x144 or pmccarthy@eriepa.com. This project is being funded by a grant from the Erie Community Foundation and committed dollars from Consortium members.
The overarching goal is to develop a long term effort to create and support a knowledge-based community that will improve the economy of our region.
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April/May 2013
iodiese
Celebration of EXCELLENCE
Canadian Neighbors Go Green Industrial Process and Management Consultants lend their skills to Ontario biodiesel startup.
by Tricia Wood DeMarco
Twenty minutes across the international Peace Bridge from the United States into Canada, not far from the roar of Niagara Falls, a biodiesel plant is set to bloom this spring. The renewable energy plant – which will mix oils made from soybean and canola crops with petroleum-based products – is expected to produce 45 million gallons of biodiesel fuel a year. Great Lakes Biodiesel Inc. will be the largest biodiesel plant in Canada, helping to fulfill the Canadian government’s mandate which now requires two-percent biodiesel content in diesel fuel and heating oil. Fulfilling this mandate is the direct result of cross-country, crosscultural efforts of manufacturers to the north in Welland, Ontario, with engineers to the south in Erie, Pennsylvania. The two communities border the eastern tip of Lake Erie – a little further than 74 miles apart as the crow flies, two hours away by road. At either rate, emission-reducing biodiesel production is, pardon the pun, no small fish to fry. According to www.greenfuels.org, the production of biodiesel fuels is growing annually “around the globe at a rate of close to 40 percent.”
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This biodegradable and clean-burning fuel boom, backed by multi-million dollar incentives from the Canadian Federal ecoENERGY program, provides a winning combination for Welland’s Great Lakes Biodiesel and Erie’s Industrial Process and Management Consultants, L.L.C., an investor with the ERCGP. Great Lakes Biodiesel CEO Barry Kramble says the “21stCentury biodiesel building is in startup now” and will create permanent, full-time jobs for 20 employees. Strategically located near the Welland Canal which is historically known as the place “where rails and water meet,” Kramble’s plant manager learned of the Erie engineering consultants’ positive reputation, which led to them engaging the firm, led by owner and engineer Seg Niebuhr. “We are appreciative of being able to work with a group like Seg’s and his associates,” Kramble says. “The U.S. market is certainly more involved than the Canadian in biodiesel, and we are happy to leverage their skill and experience in bringing the plant out and up to production.”
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Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership
Honourable Welland Mayor Barry Sharpe, Honourable Member of Parliament for St. Catharines Rick Dykstra and Wilson Parasiuk, Chair at Great Lakes Biodiesel tour Great Lakes Biodiesel Plant in Welland, Ontario September 10. (Photo: Business Wire)
Indeed Niebuhr’s experience in civil, mechanical and process engineering literally spans the globe. In addition to the U.S., he has worked at – and consulted on – projects in Portugal, Peru, and the Dominican Republic, to name a few. He finds the cultural diversity in Canada particularly stimulating, and has found himself working with people who have immigrated from Romania, India, Jamaica, Cuba, Vietnam, and Russia. “I’m an immigrant myself,” he
“The production of biodiesel fuels is growing annually around the globe at a rate of close to 40 percent.” explains of his comfort level in so many cultures and the ability to converse in “three-and-a half” languages. Born in Hamburg, Germany, Niebuhr spent his early years with his grandparents in Peru and Guatemala. When his father died, his mother decided to move to the U.S., “the land of
April/May 2013
opportunity,” Niebuhr says of his assimilation here in 1974 at the ages of 9. Long an American citizen, he graduated from Southern Polytechnics State University in Marietta, Ga., in 1997. He also spent 10 years in the army and moved to Erie because “I like the town and have a lot of friends here.” Although his experience in biodiesel engineering is intensive, Niebuhr is quick to point out that “biodiesel isn’t the only thing we do.” Industrial Process and Management Consultants, which includes interns and works other consultants in the region, is a firm with experience in the production and feasibility of petroleum extraction, propane terminals, vegetable oil refineries, railroad operations, as well as manufacturing safety and warranty issues and site development factors. “Our role in the Canadian plant got more substantial as we went along,” Niebuhr says of his firm’s two-year involvement. In addition to consulting, IPMC took a hands-on role in designing electrical panels and programming computer controlling circuits. But cross-border road blocks? Niebuhr found none in Canada.
Celebration of EXCELLENCE “Culturally speaking, Canadians are very similar to us. The fact that we speak the same language, have the same basic work ethic and hours…essentially everything is very similar,” he says. “Even the regulatory requirement differences are very slight. Yes, there are some differences – in industrial safety and design standards, for instance – but you just have to know what they are and you can directly address them.”
To find out more about Canadian and U.S. environmental and trade incentives, visit:
Canada is someplace Niebuhr and his associates hope to return, although this is his first project across the nearby border. Because of the North American Free Trade Agreement, professionals such as Niebuhr encounter very little paperwork or restrictions to working in Canada, he says. Niebuhr suspects this may not be the case for laborers. But he hopes word will spread of his work north of the border – and that of other Erie-area businesses – and the end result will be increased business and growth for IPMC, as well as local consultants and companies.
The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association at www.greenfuels.org
The Canadian Federal ecoENERGY program at www.nrcan.gc.ca/ecoaction/ The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance at www.globalrfa.com
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at www.epa.gov The North American Free Trade Agreement Office www.ustr.gov
Did you know?
• Biofuel production is expected to grow to 6 percent of the world’s liquid fuel by 2010 according to www.marketresearchmedia.com.
• Biofuels may mean new crop demand, and price adjustments, for farmers according to Global Bioenergy Industry News at www.thebioenergysite.com.
• The production of biodiesel fuels is growing each year worldwide at a rate of close to 40 percent according to www.greenfuels.org.
Warm Congratulations
Follow, Fan, Tag, Connect…
to our friend and faithful supporter Mr. Nick Scott, Sr. on receiving the 2013 Louis J. Tullio Award.
from your friends at the Erie City Mission eriepa.com
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Luck On February 4 Canada stopped distributing copper-plated one cent pieces, commonly referred to as “pennies�, beginning a six-year phase-out of the coins. The cost to produce the penny was 1.6 cents at the time of abolition. April/May 2013
cky!
Celebration of EXCELLENCE
Lake Effect Lucky
Erie positioned for increased customs allowance from Canadian shoppers. by Mary Birdsong The next time you’re out shopping and see a bus letting off visitors from Canada, put on your biggest smile and thank them. Why? Because, collectively, Canadian visitors contribute one hundred million dollars to Erie County’s economy each year. That’s a lot of shopping, dining, recreating and lodging. According to a 2011 state-wide study by Tourism Economics, all visitors (both domestic and international) to the Great Lakes Region (Erie, Crawford, Mercer and Venango counties), spent, in total, $1.6 billion on transportation, dining, shopping, recreation and lodging. And while the study does not break down those numbers by type of visitor, VisitErie, a silver level investor with the ERCGP, makes a confident estimate that the $100 million flowing into Erie County coffers is spent by Canadian visitors.
“Our area has a magical mix of amenities.” The largest percentage of that $1.6 billion may go to transportation expenses, but cross-border shopping, as it’s called, is the primary draw. The Tourism report says that, of the eleven official regions of the state, ours gets the highest proportion of its travel and tourism dollars from shopping. (To see the full report got to http://www. visitpa.com/articles/economic-impact-travel-report and click on the 2011 report link.)
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But why Erie? Well, it turns out our area has a magical mix of amenities. According to Emily Beck, director of tourism development for VisitErie, Erie is accessible being only 90 minutes from the Canadian border, it offers a wide variety of stores conveniently located near one another and, most importantly, Erie is in Pennsylvania, which does not tax clothing, shoes and groceries. In addition, she says, Erie is the perfect overnight location for those extending their shopping trips to Grove City. John Oliver, President & CEO of VisitErie, says “We are unable to track the exact number of Canadian visitors in this region alone, but conservative estimates indicate that 75% of Canadian visitors on day trips (both business and leisure travelers) to the state come to this region, and approximately 25% who spend at least one overnight in the state do it here.” Several recent changes in Canadian customs law may make shopping here more attractive, too. In the past, a day visitor from Canada was allowed to take back home just $50 in duty-free goods. Since June of 2012, that same visitor’s limit is $200. And anyone who stays over 48 hours is now allowed $800 duty-free (up from $200). Coupled with an exchange rate close to parity and the cross-border shopper may see a lot of value in coming to Erie. What does this change mean for us? Longer stays and more money in the till? Maybe.
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Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership Michelle Hundt Tupman, director of tour operations for Great Canadian Holidays & Coaches in Kitchener, Ontario, says of the change in allowance, “We thought it would make a difference but it really hasn’t changed our trends at all. I think when people make the investment and commitment to going cross-border shopping, they go with a particular budget in mind. If they had $200 to spend before, they still have $200 to spend now. On the flip side, those who were willing to spend more previously, likely weren’t deterred by the limit – most people saw paying duty on any overages as just part of the package.” But Emily Beck sees the market maturing, which changes VisitErie’s ability to track who spends how much and where folks are putting their money. “People who once came to Erie on a bus tour are now getting more adventurous and coming on their own in private vehicles and bringing
“The price of golf in Canada is much higher than the Erie market,” more family members with them,” Beck points out. “We are seeing more cars with Ontario plates in places other than the typical shopping areas. And while the busiest months for Canadian visitors used to be September through December, we are now seeing more all year round. Canadian visitors are finding more to like than shopping and we are becoming known as a destination for cultural and recreational activities, too.” In fact, Beck just booked several family-oriented bus tours for this spring featuring child-friendly ERCGP investor destinations like the Erie Zoo and Tom Ridge Environmental Center besides visits to the Millcreek Mall. Great Canadian Holidays & Coaches usually arranges 1015 multi-day shopping tours to Erie a year but they also offer trips that include local theatre productions and visits to Presque Isle Downs, a silver level investor with the ERCGP, as well as OHL hockey. The Kitchener Rangers’ fan club visits to watch them play the Otters (and get some shopping in, too). Many trips that go beyond Erie use this area as a rest stop, as well. “We pass through Erie very often,” says Tupman, “and frequently use it for a mid-day stop for lunch or shopping for groups that are continuing on to further points or returning home. This is done on tours of all kinds – whether branded as a shopping tour or not.”
April/May 2013
Rich Rocky, director of golf for Whispering Woods Golf Club in Millcreek, has seen an uptick in business from the Ontario market, too. “The price of golf in Canada is much higher than the Erie market,” Rocky says. “Many have told me that our course, if in Ontario, would bring in $120-$140 a round. Our peak in-season rate is $59.” Once he learned that Canadians are willing to travel this far to play, he’s actively courted the market. “Since our inception in 2007 we have spread our advertising budget outside of the Erie area dramatically. We target Southern Ontario as well as Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Buffalo. “Our overnight Stay-n-Play package prices vary depending on the month and what hotel they select and include— besides the overnight accommodations and breakfast—18 holes with cart and a voucher for the slots at Presque Isle Downs & Casino.” “I can’t tell you how many people I meet at the Toronto golf show who have been to either the Millcreek Mall, Grove City Outlets, or both when I mention Erie,” say Rocky. And the word about Erie is getting around in southern Ontario. Beck, who serves as chair of the Ontario Motor Coach Association Supplier Council, is well connected to the market and makes regular visits to the area to attend shows and visit with companies that may be interested in bringing groups to Erie. “We do shows and seminars with the Association, connecting tour operators with local merchants so they can build attractive packages for the travelers.” VisitErie also distributes brochures through the Canadian Automobile Association and places advertising in crossover markets like Buffalo where it reaches into southern Ontario.
Celebration of EXCELLENCE Of course these visitors need places to lay their heads at night and Erie is prepared to provide them with a wide array of accommodations, from quaint bed and breakfasts to full-service chain hotels. Nick Scott, Jr., vice president of Scott Enterprises, a platinum level investor with the ERCGP, and vice chair of VisitErie’s board of directors, also specifically targets the Canadian market in travel and trade magazines, through digital channels, by having a presence at trade shows and participating in golf and getaway packages. “We welcome hundreds of busses and lodge thousands of individuals each year, “ Scott says. “Scott Enterprises and other regional merchants are very good at accommodating the groups and individuals who stay here. The tour operators tell us their visitors always have a great experience here in Erie. They say they love coming here because everyone treats them well and makes their trip enjoyable, smooth and convenient.”
fun they had with their friends and family, the way they were treated at a store or hotel or what new thing they discovered to see or do. Making sure they have a great experience is the most important thing we do.” And visitors are typically very content with what they find in Erie. Judy Jenkins of Take a Break Travel in London, Ontario recently included Erie in one of their four-day Mystery Tours and says her guests loved it. “Hotel staff went overboard to meet all our people’s needs. Our passengers really enjoyed the diversity of the city and the pride in maintaining its history. I would not hesitate booking another tour to Erie in the near future.” So, the next time you’re out shopping, be prepared with a smile and a friendly hello. It could be the most important thing you do to ensure a return visit by our friendly crossborder neighbors.
This is more important than you might think. Scott continues, “in five years, the item they purchased in Erie might be worn out and thrown away, but what is never forgotten is their experience here, whether it be how much
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE
PAID
Permit # 298 Erie PA
208 East Bayfront Parkway Suite 100 Erie, PA 16507
April 18
5:00–7:00 p.m. Hansen’s Errand Service 1805 Pittsburgh Avenue Erie, PA
May 16
5:00–7:00 p.m. Lakeshore Country Club 5950 Lake Shore Drive Erie, PA Business After Hours is a members only networking event of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership. Contact Cathy Noble at (814) 454.7191 x146 or cnoble@eriepa.com for more information.
June 13
5:00–7:00 p.m. Shriners Hospitals for Children - Erie 1645 West 8th Street Erie, PA