Civil Municipal - November 2024

explains. One example is Ardagh Metals that has expanded significantly, with a $400 million investment into its facilities. Meanwhile, a Ford offshoot, Ventra Automotive still operates in the area, employing around 2,300 people. Healthcare has emerged as another critical pillar of the local economy. “Health care is either the second or third largest employer in the region,” Eric “We were at one time an automotive town,” Shenigo says, reflecting on Erie County’s industrial roots.At its peak, the region was home to General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler plants, driving local employment and economic growth for decades. While the automotive giants have mostly moved on, the county has adapted. “We’ve brought in other industries that replaced automotive,” Shenigo 89 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11 ERIE COUNTY, OH

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