The Economic Pulse: Insights for Success

Attorney Zachary Heck of the Taft Law Firm in Dayton, OH, joined Laith and special guest co-host Jake Rouch to discuss the legal considerations and ramifications of artificial intelligence. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

Our hosts welcomed Dana Cronkhite, the Economic Development Director for Dickenson County, Virginia. Dana discussed economic development opportunities and challenges in her rural context, including the development of a drug rehabilitation facility. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

In this episode our hosts welcomed the two woman leaders who won election to the highest offices in Erie County in the November election. With us were Erie City Mayor-elect Daria Devlin, and Erie County Executive-elect Christina Vogel, who discussed their transition, and the importance of economic strategy to move the region forward. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority...

The Executive Director of Erie Together, Mary Bula, joined our hosts to discuss the region's anti-poverty initiative with a focus on young people learning about career pathways. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

Laith and special guest co-host Jake Rouch spoke with Deb Lutz, Northwest SEWN Regional Director for the Steel Valley Authority about business retention and providing resources and consulting for manufacturers throughout the region.

Our guest was Matt Fields of the Buchanan County, VA Industrial Development Authority, who discussed comprehensive economic development fueled by coal-related income and a bold vision. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

Our hosts welcomed colleague Ti Sumner, Vice President of Grants & Brownfield Specialist at the ECRDA, to discuss the enormity of remediating the former EMI plant in Erie, which is being transformed into Ironworks Square on West 12th Street. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

Laith and producer Joel Natalie welcomed Gerald Blanks, CEO of the Greater Erie Economic Development Corporation. They discussed using proceeds from strategic investments to advance individuals and organizations in Erie's urban communities. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

Laith and producer Joel Natalie welcomed back Marty Vanags, economic development consultant and author of the weekly Curated Morning newsletter, discussing the importance of staying on top of emerging trends inside and outside the ED context. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

Economic Development expert and author of the book "When the Boomers Bail," Mark Lautman joined our hosts for a timely conversation. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

Our hosts were joined by producer Joel Natalie to discuss the ECRDA's focus on activating a data-driven strategic plan toward economic growth. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

Laith and Tina welcomed back Chuck Peters, one of the partners who recently purchased Executive Pulse, a customer management system designed for economic development agencies. Chuck explained how the software will use artificial intelligence to maximize outcomes. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

Our hosts welcomed back Jen Gilburg Pennsylvania's Deputy Secretary of Technology and Entrepreneurship for the Department of Community and Economic Development, to talk innovation strategies in the Commonwealth. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

Our hosts welcomed Tim Necastro, President and CEO of Erie Insurance as well as President of the Erie Downtown Development Corporation, along with Kim Thomas, Executive Director of Infinite Erie to discuss the many growth opportunities that lay ahead for our local Erie, PA region. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

Our hosts welcomed Alberta-based economic development professional Leann Hackman-Carty, principal of Concrete Global Ventures, Ltd. and CEO of Economic Developers Alberta to discuss regional economic development strategies, emphasizing her work in rebuilding businesses after disaster strikes. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth...

On this episode we catch up with the exciting news for our host and ED expert Laith Wardi, as he transitions from his former firm Executive Pulse to Gem City Growth Strategies. We also discussed Laith's work with Tina and the current ECRDA projects. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

Our hosts invited Eric and Ashley Canada of Blane, Canada and the Synchronist Lab to discuss the use of Artificial Intelligence in economic development efforts. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

Our hosts welcomed Jennifer Farrar, President & CEO of The Tom Ridge Environmental Center Foundation to discuss the work of the foundation in advancing their educational mission. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

Our hosts welcomed Jeremy Zaborowski, Executive Director of Berks County Industrial Development Authority, dicussing their various business park and business retention and expansion projects. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

Your hosts and producer Joel Natalie discuss the latest national economic development news and the impact public policy may be having. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - Founder of Gem City Growth Strategies

The Democratic nominee for City of Erie Mayor, Daria Devlin, joined the show to discuss local opportunities and challenges that come with a change at the top of city government. Devlin defeated the incumbent Democratic mayor in the primary. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - President & Founder of ExecutivePulse

This week, our hosts focused on the work of our sponsoring organization, the Erie County Redevelopment Authority. Loan Officer Ethan Bennett, and Chief Financial Officer Leah Manino discussed the various projects and capital stacks it takes to bring investment to places that have been often forgotten. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - President & Fo...

To discuss the economic and community development work that our guests are leading in the rural community of Corry, PA were Chuck Gray, Executive Director of Impact Corry, and Dr. Matthew Platz, Executive Director of the Corry Higher Education Council. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - President & Founder of ExecutivePulse

Dean Pepicello, a Harborcreek Township-Erie County, PA Supervisor joined Laith as a co-host, in an engaging discussion about politics, economic policy, and building bridges to developers and the private sector while serving the people as a local elected official. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - President & Founder of ExecutivePulse

Board member Kate Phillips and CEO Roo Kojancie of the Erie Zoological Society joined our hosts to discuss the current plans for the Erie Zoo and the current proposal to transfer the Zoo's assets to the Erie County Convention Center Authority-Erie Events. Hosts: Tina Mengine - CEO of Erie County Redevelopment Authority Laith Wardi - President & Founder of ExecutivePulse