Erie chamber supports bringing community college to area to support business growth

The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership recently announced their support of an effort to bring a skills-based community college to the area to advance workforce development and attract new businesses.

Nearly one-quarter of Erie County’s workforce is 55 or older, and there are not enough younger workers to take over their positions.

The labor force participation rate in the county fell 3.3 percent from 2012 to 2018, according to Garner Economics. During the same timeframe, Pennsylvania’s labor force participation rates decreased 0.4 percent.

Falling labor force participation rates are a strong deterrent for businesses looking to locate to Erie, the organization said.

Establishing a community college that offers training in trades and technical education would help reverse the decline in economic growth and vitality, according to the organization.

“Today, I am representing the business community to say that our time is now and to urge our legislators to stand with our community leaders,” James Grunke, Erie Regional Chamber president and CEO, said at a press conference. “We need your support to help bring accessible education to our communities that deserve it. We need it now to invest in the businesses that call Erie home.”

In Erie, businesses need employees with skills in multiple industries including plastics manufacturing, electrical equipment manufacturing, metal fabrication and metal products, and research and development in engineering and life sciences.