Infinite Erie and Erie Regional Chamber Announce Collaborative Role to Strengthen Economic Development Efforts
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CONTACT: Sam Peterson
814.403.0907 | mobile
ERIE, PA (Feb. 9, 2026) — Infinite Erie and the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership (The Chamber) have established a new collaborative role, appointing Colleen Dougherty as Director of Regional Collaboration and Economic Development to strengthen alignment and coordination among Erie’s economic development organizations.
Implemented last year, the position focuses on building stronger partnerships, improving coordination, and advancing shared economic and community development goals across the region. The role is designed to maximize collective impact and support a more unified approach to regional growth.
“We’re so excited to continue our work with Colleen,” said Kim Thomas, Executive Director of Infinite Erie. “Her experience, dedication, and passion for Erie’s future make her an incredible partner as we strengthen connections across our community.”
“Erie has an incredible network of organizations doing important work,” said Colleen Dougherty, Director of Regional Collaboration and Economic Development. “I’m excited to help connect those efforts, deepen collaboration, and ensure we’re moving forward together in ways that benefit our entire community.”
Dougherty brings a strong background in metro-level research and collaborative problem-solving to strengthening Erie’s community development efforts. She draws on her experience identifying metro-level opportunities and challenges and capturing and codifying collaborative solutions through her former work as a Research Officer at Drexel University’s Nowak Metro Finance Lab and as a non-resident fellow with Berlin’s Das Progressive Zentrum’s Transatlantic Dialogue on the Industrial Heartlands.
A committed local leader, Dougherty is a member of the Erie Women’s Fund at The Erie Community Foundation and serves as Vice Chair of the Grants Committee for the Emerging Erie Fund. Born and raised in Erie, she attended Fairview High School before earning her BA in Philosophy, Law, and Politics from John Carroll University and her MA in German and European Studies with a focus on industrial regions from Georgetown University.
“At The Chamber, we believe strong collaboration is the foundation of a strong community,” said Brandon Mendoza, President and CEO of The Chamber. “Colleen brings both experience and a deep commitment to partnership-building, and we’re proud to support this role.”
To learn more about Infinite Erie, visit infiniteerie.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. To learn more about The Chamber, visit eriepa.com and follow them on Facebook and LinkedIn.
ABOUT INFINITE ERIE
Infinite Erie is a community and economic development strategy designed to harness funding opportunities, unify diverse public, private, and civic stakeholders around a common vision, and advance equitable economic development across Erie County, Pennsylvania.
ABOUT THE CHAMBER
The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership is Erie’s leading economic evolution through awareness, advocacy, and access to the people, education, and resources that businesses need to thrive. The ERCGP is a 501(c)(3) corporation formed in November 2002 through the merger of the Erie Conference on Community Development, the Erie Area Chamber of Commerce, and Erie Insight.
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