Wood Announces Campaign for Erie County Executive
ECGRA director aims to return collaboration to county government
After years of working within and beside local government, Perry Wood wants to lead it. Wood, current executive director of the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA), announced Tuesday that he is running for Erie County Executive.
As the son of a veteran, Wood explained that he was inspired by service at a young age and became involved in politics during his college career at Mercyhurst University.
"Straight out of college, I worked in Gov. Tom Ridge's office and then I went to work at the City of Erie, where I put my interest in economic development into action," Wood said to the crowd gathered at the Blasco Memorial Library. "I had an incredible experience in those younger years, building relationships and putting the ideas to work."
Wood helped found the Downtown Improvement District before switching gears to spearhead the Technology Council of Northwest Pennsylvania as its CEO. There, he became well-versed in collaboration and learned how to use technology to benefit startups and existing manufacturers. It was then that he decided to take on the leadership role at ECGRA, touting his implementation of accountability and transparency, which he alleges, "ended a period of disorder and litigation."
Among those accomplishments he listed were:
• Mission Main Street: premier economic strategy in Erie County
• Empower Erie: the driving force of the newest community college in the United States in the past 30 years
• The NWPA Beehive Network: a university-based initiative that helps business owners create successful companies
• Renaissance Block: a program designed to fight blight by investing in homes
Wood said that those partnerships he has forged have resulted in 1,000 jobs created and retained and an investment of over $88 million in local governments, economic development agencies, and revitalization strategies throughout the county.
During our interview, he said that his first priority in office is to grow economic development in the region with a focus on existing infrastructure.
"The second thing we need to do is shore up the emergency management system by working with township supervisors, borough managers, and volunteer fire departments to make sure that the fire departments and ambulance services have the resources they need," he said.
"The third thing we need to do is hold the line on taxes," Wood said. "We have a county executive who has raised taxes — the highest tax increase in a generation. We need to hold the line on that."
Wood said that the increases have come as the county receives its largest allocation of federal money ever, and declared that spending without bringing new investments into the region needs to stop.
After devoting years working with the community, Wood believes his background has given him the proper tools to listen and respond.
"I think collaboration is the most important thing you could bring to the county executive's office," he said, mentioning that he hopes to remain active in the community. "The first thing I'll do is make sure that the county is working with Infinite Erie, which is a collaboration of the other funders in the community — businesses, corporate leaders, and civic organizations that are making a difference." Those partnerships include the Erie Community Foundation, Erie Insurance, and the Jefferson Educational Society.
Wood is endorsed by Erie County Council members Andre Horton, Chris Drexel, and Rock Copeland, who have been at odds with current County Executive Brenton Davis in the past. Wood said he hopes to mend the relationship with council and work together.
Wood currently lives in Millcreek and has two children. For those wishing to learn more about Wood's campaign, visit voteperrywood.com.
Chloe Forbes is a local journalist. Reach her at chloeforbes14@gmail.com.
