A broad coalition of organizations has joined together in support of the Erie Maritime Initiative, a collaborative regional effort that brings together government, business, higher education, workforce, labor, philanthropic, and community organizations to strengthen awareness, alignment, and support around Erie’s maritime and industrial opportunities.
Through the Initiative’s Statement of Shared Support, participating organizations have affirmed a shared commitment to building upon Erie’s existing strengths and positioning the region for future maritime, manufacturing, workforce, infrastructure, logistics, and economic development opportunities.
As Pennsylvania’s only Great Lakes port community, Erie possesses a unique combination of maritime infrastructure, industrial capability, workforce resources, transportation connectivity, educational institutions, supplier networks, and industrial assets. The Erie Maritime Initiative was established to help regional partners align around those strengths and present a more coordinated regional approach to future opportunities.
“The support demonstrated through this effort reflects a growing recognition that Erie and northwest Pennsylvania have important assets to contribute to emerging maritime and industrial opportunities,” said Mayor Daria Devlin. “Just as importantly, it reflects a willingness among organizations across the region to work together in support of long term economic competitiveness and growth.”
The Statement of Shared Support does not endorse any specific project, site, investment, funding request, governance structure, or development proposal. Rather, it serves as a shared framework for collaboration and regional alignment among organizations that recognize the value of strengthening Erie’s maritime and industrial ecosystem.
The initiative has received support from a diverse group of organizations representing local government, education, workforce development, industry, organized labor, economic development, philanthropy, and community leadership.
“In just under two weeks, Mayor Devlin and I, along with multiple industry and community partners will be attending Senator Dave McCormick’s Defense and Innovation Summit at the US Army War College in Carlisle, PA,” County Executive Christina Vogel said. “Having the support from the broader Erie Community is vital as we demonstrate why Erie is the best location to help solve this crucial national security need.”
A complete copy of the Statement of Shared Support and a list of participating organizations are available at https://buildshipsfaster.com/.
