U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Scott Turner visited Erie today, joining Congressman Mike Kelly to assess the progress of the city’s Opportunity Zones. These zones, part of a federal initiative to spur economic development in underserved areas, have been a key focus for Erie, which was an early model for the program when it launched under the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council.

During his visit, Secretary Turner expressed his admiration for the progress Erie has made, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of the community in shaping its future. His day began with a roundtable discussion alongside Congressman Kelly, where they heard from local community and business leaders. The discussions centered on gathering input for the next phase of Opportunity Zones legislation, which has already attracted nearly $90 billion in investments across more than 8,700 communities nationwide, including Erie.

Secretary Turner shared his vision for the program’s future, stating, "I believe that we can far surpass that and make Opportunity Zones better, particularly not just here in Erie but also in places and cities around our country—both urban, tribal, and rural. And at HUD, that's who we serve."

Congressman Kelly echoed Turner’s sentiments, highlighting the need for greater emphasis on rural areas in the next iteration of the legislation. "This second opportunity zone is going to be incredible for people and lift people all over the place," Kelly said. He also praised the program for encouraging private investment in communities, noting, "This isn't hardworking taxpayer money; this is private individuals investing in their community for a better day for everybody, so we're really proud of that."

As part of the visit, Secretary Turner toured several key development projects in Erie. He observed the impact of investments made by the Erie Downtown Development Corporation, which has revitalized old buildings and constructed new ones. He also noted the contributions of major local anchors and investors, such as Erie Insurance and UPMC Hamot, in driving the city’s growth. However, Turner also had a chance to survey the challenges that remain, including the development of the West 12th Street corridor, the reclamation of the former Erie Coke plant site, and the need for safe, affordable housing in areas currently plagued by blight.

Turner emphasized the importance of evaluating federal housing programs to ensure they are effective. "We're looking at the programs at HUD—do they help us build affordable, safe housing, or do they not?" he said. He also urged state and local leaders to streamline policies and reduce bureaucratic hurdles that hinder private development. "Take inventory of your policies, get rid of the red tape, and take down policies that hinder and cripple private development," he advised.

After the tour, Secretary Turner expressed optimism about Erie’s future, crediting the community’s self-reliance and collaborative spirit. "I'm very encouraged by what I see, but I think there's better days ahead now when I see people coming together here," he said. "It's not just encouraging to me, but it's a great challenge that we can do this in other parts of the country."