Congressional members from the House Ways and Means Committee heard testimony from community leaders about how opportunity zones and tax cuts have benefited the area.

Congressman Mike Kelly said the hearing is the tenth one members have had around the country and Erie is an example of policy working in real time.

"This is the opportunity zone capital, every time we talk about it when we are in committee I say go to Erie, you are going to see how it works because they turned a policy into progress and success and that is what it is all about," Rep. Kelly said.

Four people gave testimony with one of them being the CEO of the Erie Downtown Development Corporation (EDDC), Drew Whiting.

Whiting said the projects and housing opportunities that they have brought to Erie were helped by the opportunity zone and tax cut policies.

"The hope is that they continue to allow us to have this opportunity zone benefit and also us to continue to do the work that we have been able to do so far really effectively," Whiting said.

Owner of ippa Pizza Napoletana, Jason Spore, also testified and explained that his business is in part doing well because of the opportunity these policies have given him.

"To be able to sit in front of the committee today and actually have them listen to our ideas and the reasons why I have chosen to locate in an opportunity zone, how important it is for that private investment in the opportunity zones and how it is truly a win, win, win for everyone involved," Spore said.