The Pennsylvania Allies Program was designed for professionals working in roles that actively support economic development organizations (EDOs) and their efforts within PA communities. Through the provision of training for local stakeholders, they - along with their local or regional EDOs - will be well-positioned to take advantage of opportunities to jointly champion their communities. With this aim in mind, we're sharing the following story of an economic development success that was made possible because a number of community-minded individuals and organizations recognized the project's importance and committed themselves to working together through the processes necessary to achieve their vision.

The Problem: In 2002, a 19-acre brownfield property in Erie’s poorest neighborhood was designated the Savocchio Business Park, after the City’s first female mayor, who spearheaded the property’s remediation. For two decades following its designation, the park sat vacant, with no activity or development until a coalition of three neighborhood community centers – known as the Minority Community Investment Coalition (MCIC) – sprang into action. MCIC took on the ambitious project, aiming to acquire and develop the site, with a goal of transforming the underutilized former brownfield into a community asset that would provide job opportunities for neighborhood residents and address key insecurities, such as lack of fresh food.

The Coalition: Recognizing the project’s importance to the community, MCIC worked to identify and engage partners who could help to bring their vision to fruition. Ultimately, this pursuit resulted in MCIC engaging the Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA) to lead the project. 

The Process & Outcome: After numerous community meetings and work from various experts – including Cornell University’s Engineers Without Borders and others – a plan was formed that resulted in a project that will begin the generational transformation of the park into an urban agriculture and cooperative farming community. The Phase 1 development includes a 20,000 square foot commercial aquaponics center and 2,500 square foot community greenhouse. The project budget of $3.3M represents the largest investment in this neighborhood in decades and the beginning of the transformation of the business park which has been aptly renamed to Savocchio Opportunity Park. The critical funding came from a variety of partners, including American Rescue Plan grants from the City of Erie and Erie County, a Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture grant, Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) Tax Credits through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and local foundation grants. The groundbreaking took place in the summer of 2023, with the project completion expected by October 2024 and operations in Q1 of 2025.