Students, business leaders, and community members gathered at the Marquette Savings Innovation Learning Center to discuss how Lake Erie could play a key role in strengthening Erie’s economy.
The event, hosted and sponsored by the Penn State Behrend Black School of Business, featured the Erie Water Advantage: How Freshwater Can Power Industry, Jobs, and Regional Renewal presentation, which explored how the region’s access to freshwater can attract businesses, support industrial growth, and create new jobs.
Panelists highlighted the economic potential of using water from Lake Erie as a sustainable resource for industries in the area. Discussions focused on how Erie’s proximity to one of the world’s largest freshwater sources could provide a competitive advantage for manufacturing and other water-dependent businesses.
Community leaders emphasized the importance of protecting and utilizing local freshwater resources responsibly, noting that access to sustainable water supplies is becoming increasingly valuable for economic development.
Students and business leaders also had the opportunity to ask questions and learn about practical, sustainable ways businesses can incorporate Lake Erie’s water resources into future operations and long-term planning.