EDCEC Names 2007 Employers of the Year

January 25, 2008

The Economic Development Corporation of Erie County (EDCEC) described 2007 as a successful year for local companies expanding and adding jobs to the region’s economy. “The proof is in the payroll,” said Monica Brower, president and CEO of the EDCEC.

Brower reviewed the agency’s achievements at its 26th annual event at the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center in Erie on January 24, 2008. More than 420 people attended the event.

She said the 42 Erie County firms assisted by Erie’s economic development system in 2007 pledged to add nearly 350 employees to their payrolls and retain 2,200 jobs throughout the next few years.

“This past year seemed to be one of increased optimism and cooperation,” Brower said. “The new Bayfront Convention Center, Presque Isle Downs and Casino and the exciting downtown Erie revitalization activities have given our community a positive base on which to build.” She credited this strong economic foundation to a strengthened link between tourism, community development and economic development.

The event’s top honorees were GE – Transportation and Velocity Network, recognized as 2007 Employer of the Year in manufacturing and non-manufacturing categories, respectively.

GE –Transportation President and CEO John Dineen accepted the Manufacturing Employer of the Year Award from Greater Erie Industrial Development Corporation (GEIDC) Board Chairman David Pascale and City of Erie Mayor Joseph Sinnott. In terms of company and community leadership, “John Dineen is one of the most powerful forces to come out of GE – Transportation,” Pascale said, also noting the Erie plant’s increase of hundreds of jobs in recent years.

Erie County Executive Mark DiVecchio and EDCEC 2008 Board Chair James Martin presented the Non-Manufacturing Employer of the Year Award to Velocity Network President and CEO Joel Deuterman. Founded 17 years ago by Deuterman, the firm now operates six business units and expects to double its workforce of 53 and exceed sales of $15 million by 2010.

Brower noted additional 2007 highlights for the EDCEC:

• New or expanded firms located in business parks or facilities operated by the EDCEC-affiliated agency, GEIDC. These companies included: Indeck Keystone Energy LLC; Paradigm Wave, Inc.; DHL (USA) Express Inc.; Szymanski Consulting, Inc.; Avure Technologies, Inc.; JCR Sales & Manufacturing, Inc.; and Community Capital Development Corporation. Beaumont Technologies, Inc., also expanded into its own facility after outgrowing the Enterprise Development Center business incubator.
• Extensive redevelopment work on the former International Paper site in partnership with Erie Management Group. Rail lines, building renovations, remediation and roadwork were completed and Lake Erie Biofuels opened on the site.
• Increased cooperative work with the City of Erie to redevelop former industrial “brownfield” sites for reuse. These efforts earned statewide honors, including the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence, an Earth Friend Award from the Lake Erie Region Conservancy, Large Agency of the Year Award from the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association and a Finalist Award from the Western Pennsylvania Environmental Coalition.

City of Erie Honor Roll companies, honored for investing in creating and retaining jobs, were presented awards by Erie Mayor Joseph Sinnott. They included: Alliance Plastics, Inc.; American Tinning & Galvanizing Co., Inc.; Avure Technologies, Inc.; Beaumont Technologies, Inc.; Better Baked Foods of Erie, LLC; Community Capital Development Corporation; Custom Engineering Co.; Diversified Manufacturing, Inc.; ERISCO Industries, Inc.; Flagship City Hardwoods, Inc.; JCR Sales & Manufacturing, Inc.; Lamjen, Inc.; Merit Tool Company, Inc.; Omega Plastics, Inc.; PSB Industries, Inc.; and SB3, LLC.

Erie County General Authority Chair Curtis Jones Jr. gave Honor Roll awards to the following community-based companies: Boys & Girls Club of Erie, Inc.; Community Resources for Independence; Erie Civic Theatre Association d/b/a/ Erie Playhouse; L’Arche, Erie; Mercyhurst Preparatory School; SafeNet; The Village at Luther Square; and the YMCA of Greater Erie.

Erie County Honor Roll companies were recognized by Erie County Executive Mark DiVecchio. They included: Advanced Surfaces, Inc.; DHL (USA) Express, Inc.; DHSteel Products, Inc.; EPC Powder Manufacturing, Inc.; GeorgeKo Industries, Inc.; Great Lakes Manufacturing, Inc.; Healthcare Lighting, Inc.; Horsepower, Inc.; Indeck Keystone Energy, LLC; Jepson Precision Tool, Inc.; Moe’s Southwest Grill; Munot Plastics, Inc.; Munsee Excavating, Inc.; Paradigm Wave, Inc.; Port Erie Plastics, Inc.; Quality Mold, Inc.; Roberts Trucking & Warehousing, Inc.; Sterling Technologies, Inc.; and Szymanski Consulting, Inc.

Contacts:
Monica Brower
814/899-6022
Nancy O’Neill
814/454-3111