Regional leaders will present Erie’s maritime manufacturing assets and long-term shipbuilding potential.
Infinite Erie, alongside Erie Mayor Daria S. Devlin and Erie County Executive Christina Vogel, will present the case for expanded maritime manufacturing in Erie at the Pennsylvania Defense & Innovation Summit at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA.
Within Infinite Erie, the effort is known as Choose Erie, PA (Build Ships Faster). The Erie Maritime Initiative is supported by 36 organizations and individuals, including manufacturers, economic development organizations, and elected officials at both the state and federal levels.
“Erie has a real opportunity to showcase on a national stage the strategic location, development and workforce advantages we already possess that will help strengthen the US maritime industrial base and build ships faster,” said Infinite Erie Executive Director Kim Thomas. “Developing a world-class waterfront and supporting economic development are priorities for us in our 2026 Playbook.”
The two-day summit, hosted by U.S. Senator Dave McCormick, a supporter of the Erie Maritime Initiative, will bring together America’s leading defense and technology leaders, including senior military commanders, industry CEOs, investors, innovators, workforce developers, and entrepreneurs, to accelerate innovation and strengthen America’s defense industrial base.
The Erie contingent will highlight several of Erie’s competitive advantages, including:
- Largest dry dock on the Great Lakes (1,250 feet)
- Over 150 acres of industrial waterfront sites
- Proximity to domestic steel
- Established manufacturing supply chain
- Connected to national rail & interstate
- Direct access to St. Lawrence Seaway
- 1,130 manufacturing companies across 5 counties
- 44,000 regional manufacturing workers
Erie has a proven history of supporting our nation’s maritime success, dating back to the Battle of Lake Erie. Today, our region is uniquely positioned to support the next generation of shipbuilding and defense manufacturing with a combination of existing infrastructure, manufacturing expertise, and a skilled workforce.
