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- Erie 2025 highlights local businesses and the rise of artificial intelligence in the region.
- The annual business report also examines the growth and evolution of long-standing institutions including the Millcreek Mall, Erie Insurance and Gannon University.
- The series features interviews with local entrepreneurs and business leaders who are shaping the future of Erie’s economy.
Erie 2025, produced by our local news staff, focuses on significant milestones in our local business community while also looking into the budding field of artificial intelligence.
From the medical field to the arts, our reporters explore the robust and exciting business community while looking ahead to what the future may hold for Erie.
AI practitioners in Erie are using bots to search for cancer cure
Erie-based First Ascent Biomedical, which began to develop its AI engine in 2018, has already received more than $10 million in investments. The company is headed by CEO Jim Foote, and uses AI to help provide personalized cancer treatment for patients.
Learn more about First Ascent, and how AI could impact jobs in Erie.
Eventio harnesses AI for event planning
Erie-native and former basketball star Erin Kerner returned home to start her event planning business, Eventio, with Brian Snyder after years of working in high fashion with designers including Louis Vuitton. For a fee, users will be able to access Eventio’s dashboard to plan weddings, family reunions, galas and other events, with suggestions coming from AI. Users can then make the purchases on their own.
Learn how Erin plans to leverage AI to help make planning events easier in this piece by Ed Palattella.
Electronic arts a focus for FEED
Benton Bainbridge wanted to establish a place in Erie where video, digital and sound artists could create, exhibit, preserve and innovate art. This led to the creation of the FEED Media Art Center, which hosts shows and exhibitions, visiting artists and offers residencies every two months giving artists studio space.
Learn more about FEED in this story by Dana Massing.
Gannon University embarks on it’s second century
Gannon University traces its roots to 1925, when the Sisters of St. Joseph opened Villa Maria College for women. Monsignor Joseph Wehrle had promised a college education to some Cathedral Preparatory School boys and directed the sisters to provide separate classes for them.
Read more about where Gannon began, and where they hope to go, in the piece penned by Valerie Myers.
Millcreek Mall hits 50-year mark
The cast of tenants has changed over the past half century, but Millcreek Mall remains a retail force.
The mall complex, which typically ranks among the nation’s 20 largest malls, includes 2.2 million square feet of retail stores, dozens of restaurants and four hotels.
Read more about the history of the mall, from the original tenants and restaurants to what their secret of success is in a piece by Jim Martin.
Reversing ‘brain drain’ in Erie
Since 2010, Rust Belt Business Law has helped small business owners start, grow and manage their organizations.
Whether it’s drafting contracts, getting trademarks, saving tax dollars or just dealing with litigation, the firm, located at 425 W. 10th St., guides entrepreneurs around the pitfalls of business, the ones that so often prevent them from breaking ground.
Reporter A.J. Rao sits down with owner Adam Williams to learn more about this business, and also how they plan to help combat brain drain in Erie.
Erie Insurance marks a century
After 100 years in business, Erie’s largest employer, Erie Insurance is looking to the future while honoring their past. A long list of ratings organizations, including J.D. Power, U.S. News and World Report and Nerd Wallet give the company high marks, pointing to low rates, high customer satisfaction and efficient claims handling.
Top company leaders, however, point to something else. They say the company’s success flows from an unflinching adherence to the philosophies and direction set down nearly 100 years ago by founder H.O. Hirt.
Jim Martin sits down with Erie Insurance officials to learn more about how the company is embracing the future while learning from their past.