The U.S. Administration has an opportunity to revitalize our nation's passenger rail service. Funding remains a significant challenge to most higher-speed rail projects. However, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has authority under the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) Program to provide loan guarantees. Amtrak is currently discussing the use of the RRIF Program to upgrade its aging passenger locomotive fleet and improve the speed and capacity of intercity passenger rail service.

The potential RRIF investment in Amtrak would provide a significant opportunity for GE's transportation business and considerable supply chain in Erie to build the next generation, diesel-electric passenger locomotive to help Amtrak upgrade its aging locomotive fleet. These new locomotives would deliver an estimated 15% of fuel savings and emission reduction by approximately 60% compared to the older locomotives currently in use. Building and selling locomotives to Amtrak would be a tremendous boost to GE's Erie facility - both in the near term and long term - not to mention the hundreds of Pennsylvania businesses and thousands of local families that rely on GE.

The ERCGP is encouraging its members and area residents to write a letter expressing your support. Click here for a sample letter the Chamber sent to serve as a model. Click here for addresses of our elected officials considering this initiative and key facts regarding the funding opportunity and GE Transportation.

Download Information >>
Download Sample Letter >>

For information and application instructions, click here. Please submit a cover letter and resume to hr@eriepa.com

Application deadline: August 6, 2010.

A feature article, Erie Pennsylvania REthinking Regional Workforce Needs, appears in the ICW's July 2010 newsletter detailing the ERCGP's role in addressing the region’s workforce development challenges and working to create a community college in the Erie region.

Click here to read the full article >>

The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership has secured for its members an electric discount program with FirstEnergy Solutions (FES), a leading electric generation supplier based in Akron, OH. According to the terms, participating small businesses will receive guaranteed savings on electric generation from January 2011 through May 2012, always paying less than the electric utility’s price for generation. This program is a limited time offer and is scheduled to end on June 30, or once the program is fully subscribed, whichever occurs first.

ERCGP Vice President Claudia Thornburg said the savings for small businesses will be significant.

“Growing business is our business at the Erie Regional Chamber and this is just one way we provide valuable savings to members," said Thornburg. "Securing a preferred rate on electric generation will help Erie area businesses control costs and free up capital for reinvestment."

“We are pleased to offer members of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership these significant savings,” said Arthur Yuan, vice president of Sales & Marketing for FES. “This opportunity can help chamber member businesses achieve real savings on their electric generation costs over the next two years.”

The discount for Erie businesses was procured through ChamberChoice and OnDemand Energy – the authorized energy management team for the Erie Regional Chamber.

For information or to enroll, visitwww.eriepa.com/firstenergy

Advertising information is available by emailing Julie Graff here.

Tickets and table sponsorships are now available.

The theme of this year's celebration is "Exporting Erie" and a committee of ERCGP business leaders recently selected Fluid Engineering, Insurance Management Company and Logistics Plus for their success as small- or medium-sized businesses competing in global markets. Nearly 500 business, government and community leaders will help the Chamber recognize these investors.

Leslie M. Schweitzer, senior trade advisor for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will present the keynote address. The ERCGP will also honor the 2010 Louis J. Tullio Award recipient and recognize the 2010 ATHENA PowerLink participants.

The deadline for applications is Jan. 15 and two women business owners will be selected for 2010. Designed to enrich the vitality of the region’s businesses and stimulate its economy, the ATHENAPowerLink program selects two women business owners and assigns a panel of professionals from different areas of business to work with them toward their business goals free of charge. This year-long mentoring donated by professionals has an estimated value of $37,000 for the two women selected. If selected, there is a nominal application fee of $350 for each woman. 2010 marks the eleventh year the ATHENAPowerlink Advisory Panel has successfully mentored women business owners in Erie.

Selection of women business owners is made by a governing body representing the economic leaders of the Erie area from applications received. Companies are chosen based on their potential to effectively utilize an advisory panel and ATHENAPowerLink’s ability to assist the company’s growth. Panelists are then selected based on the specific needs and growth objectives of the business.

To be considered for ATHENAPowerLink, companies must:
• Be owned (at least 51%) by a woman
• Have been in operation for at least two years
• Have a minimum of two employees
• Generate annual revenues of at least $250,000 if in manufacturing or retail, or $100,000 if in a service business
• Have clearly defined company objectives/goals with explicit reasons for seeking assistance through the program

PNC Financial Services Group, the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, DeMarco Wachter Firm and Gannon University Small Business Development Center have partnered to bring the annual program to Erie and invite local women entrepreneurs to participate.

“As a board member of ATHENA International, I have witnessed women business owners who participate in this program experience an 88.5 percent increase in sales, a 37.6 percent increase in business income and a 56.6 percent increase in personal income,” said Linda Stevenson, chair for the Erie ATHENAPowerLink program. “With ATHENAPowerLink in Erie, local women entrepreneurs have greater access to valuable resources that will help them continue to achieve their business objectives. We actively encourage local women business owners to become involved in this program.”

ATHENAPowerLink is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization that provides professional advisory panels to women-owned businesses. It began in Pittsburgh and has since expanded throughout the country. Its focus is to provide women business owners with access to capital, markets, networking and technology.

Colleen Moore Mezler, owner of Moore Research in Erie was one of the two women business owners selected to receive counsel from the ATHENAPowerlink Advisory Panel in 2009. “This is a program I would recommend to any business owner. Without the hands on assistance, I would not have been able to refocus my business and take my operation to the next level. I heartily endorse this worthwhile program,” emphasized Moore.

Jim Dible, president of the Erie Regional Growth Chamber and Partnership, concluded, “The ATHENAPowerlink Program is one of the most dynamic and unique initiatives throughout the Erie community.”

To obtain more information or to apply for the ATHENAPowerLink program, please contact Linda Stevenson at 814-871-1225 or linda.stevenson@pnc.com or download an application at http://www.eriepa.com/athena