50 in 50: Visiting 50 Businesses in 50 Weeks

About the Program

Category: Civic Education and Public Information (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

When faced with negative national news coverage and a sluggish economy, Erie County took action. In 2017, the Erie County Executive launched a yearlong project, dubbed “50 in 50,” in which she visited a different Erie County business each week. She documented her interviews with business owners and her tours of facilities, sharing that information with the public through a blog and social media. As the County Executive spoke directly with business owners about their successes and struggles – and about the advantages and disadvantages of doing business in Erie County – she was able to both inform the county’s economic development efforts and to connect businesses with government resources and tools at their disposal. Ultimately, by the time the year of 50 in 50 was complete, the county had gathered important information about the state of business, and business owners were strengthened by a newfound connection to government resources. And, vitally, Erie County residents, armed with information about their community’s unique industries and assets, were uplifted and emboldened by a glimpse at the bright future of Erie County business.