ECGRA Partners with the Corry Community Foundation
April 24, 2014—Erie, PA— As Erie County’s second largest city, Corry blight figures are daunting. But Corry Neighborhood Initiative (CNI) volunteers are stemming further distress, and the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA) is supporting their efforts with $20,000 in pilot project funding. At this morning’s regularly convened meeting at 5240 Knowledge Parkway, Erie, members of the ECGRA board of directors approved a resolution to partner with The Corry Community Foundation utilizing the Bayfront East Side Taskforce (BEST) as a best practice model to CNI. The Corry Community Foundation has committed to match ECGRA’s $20,000.
ECGRA Executive Director Perry Wood said, “ECGRA is interested in solving neighborhood-level problems that lead to economic resilience. We were able to play a convening role, matchmaking the goals of The Corry Community Foundation and the talents of the Bayfront East Side Task Force to support CNI’s role as the catalyst for grassroots change in Corry.”
CORRY BLIGHT BY THE NUMBERS
Over the past two decades, the city of Corry has experienced the dual decline of its housing stock and its tax base. Closed businesses and lost jobs have resulted in increased poverty, declining population, and growing vacancy and blight. The median household income of Corry residents is $30,677 compared to Pennsylvania residents’ median HHI of $52,267. Approximately 26% of the Corry population lives below the poverty level—twice the Pennsylvania average. Of the 2,808 housing units in Corry, more than 11% are distressed or vacant. Blight deters new talent and businesses from moving to Corry; declining property values provide little funding to the school district and city in the form of taxes. Figures come from the American Communities Surveys 5-year estimates for 2012 and door-to-door surveys by CNI.
THE SOLUTION
Made up of private citizens dedicated to preserving and revitalizing Corry, CNI will lead the renewal initiative by implementing several key best practices:
• Organizing blitz clean-up and restoration projects by neighbors for neighbors
• Partnering with vocational schools to train homeowners to make basic repairs
• Creating a revolving loan fund to pay for minor home repairs and energy-efficiency improvements
With solid infrastructure and a track record of success in neighborhood revitalization, BEST will serve as an exemplar to CNI and provide professional consulting and administrative services for 12 months.
Erie County Councilman Edward DiMattio said, “The city of Corry is in need of additional resources to jumpstart the neighborhood renewal process. I commend ECGRA, CNI, and all the partners for making this pilot project and the people of Corry a top priority.”
ADDITIONAL PARTNERS
CNI will act under the 501(c)(3) umbrella of the Corry Industrial Benefit Association and work alongside the city of Corry, Corry Area School District, Corry Community Development Corporation, Erie County Redevelopment Authority, and local neighborhood watch groups, landlords, and small businesses.
