Why ERIE ❤︎s Erie PA

There’s no place like home. Home is where the heart is. Home sweet home.

We’ve all heard these phrases before – and the reason they’re so well-worn is because they’re true.

Home is also where you hang your hat. For Erie Insurance, our “home” (corporate headquarters) sits in Erie, Pennsylvania. Over the years we’ve expanded our services throughout 12 states and the District of Columbia, but there’s something about Erie that remains close to our hearts.

Back to the beginning

Our two founders, H.O. Hirt and O.G. Crawford, started the Erie Insurance Exchange in Erie, Pennsylvania in 1925. After over 95years, ERIE has expanded to 12 states and the District of Columbia.

Despite our rapid growth, we never forgot where we came from. From our employees in claims and underwriting to our executive board and council, there is a common goal to help the communities in which we serve, and to take an active role in revitalizing parts of Erie’s historic neighborhoods.

What ERIE has to offer Erie (and vice versa)

At ERIE, we believe in investing in our communities and in the lives of others. Through our Giving Network, employees and agents give their time, talent and resources to help build homes, feed families and tutor young students. Through the ERIE Service Corps, employees can spend up to nearly ten paid hours a year volunteering in the community. Other employee initiatives such as the Matching Gifts program, the H.O. Hirt Scholarship Fund and the F.W. Hirt Employee Emergency Fund help address the financial needs of community organizations, students and others.

Erie Insurance CEO Tim NeCastro was also the catalyst behind the development of the Erie Economic Development Corporation (EDDC). The EDDC, formed in 2017, was created to work with investors to help transform the city of Erie’s downtown core and spark revitalization across the area.

Most recently Erie Insurance and the Erie Community Foundation (ECF) joined forces with Boston-based Arctaris Impact Investors to bring new capital investments to Erie. Through this partnership, ERIE and ECF will infuse $40 million of investments in Erie, Pennsylvania Opportunity Zones. This came just one year after ERIE announced the creation of a $50 million Opportunity Zone investment fund.

But what is it about Erie, Pennsylvania that makes it a great place to live and work? In Erie, you get the big city feel with the benefits of a small town.

There’s something for everyone:

• Local heritage festivals: Culture plays a huge role in Erie. From Polish to Greek and many in between, we celebrate and share our unique heritage every year with fun festivals and delicious food. You can even see our CEO handing out homemade cuisine at the yearly Italian festival!
• Parks and green space: You may have heard about the 30 miles of freshwater shoreline along Lake Erie that make up our local treasure: Presque Isle State Park. You can find hiking and biking trails all across the county for outdoor family fun.
• Five local colleges and institutions: Erie is an educational hub – and we’re helping it grow. Our newest partnership is with Gannon University’s I-Hack program and Mercyhurst’s Risk Management program is named after former longtime CEO and board chairman F.W. Hirt.
• Arts and culture venues and events: From our vibrant local theater scene to our growing mural display and museums for people of all ages, the arts are prevalent in downtown Erie and further expanding. In 2019, ERIE announced a$1 million donation to the ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum, including a $250,000 donation from our CEO, Tim NeCastro.

Erie’s a place with a can-do attitude, great work ethic, and a true sense of community and family. Couple all that with affordable housing, a growing job base, and an unduplicated central location, and it's not hard to imagine why we love Erie.

Make the Move (and Join the ERIE Family)

Interested in starting a career here in this Great Lake city? We know that moving can be one of the most stressful experiences a person can face. At ERIE, one of our top priorities is helping make the relocation transition as smooth as possible. We offer best-in-class relocation assistance with dedicated concierge support.

Whether Erie is the city for you, or you’re looking to grow your career in your own hometown, we’re always looking for service-driven candidates who share our passion for helping others. Find a career that fits you at any of our offices across our 12-state footprint. Learn more about our current job opportunities and become a part of the ERIE family.