Erie’s Business of the Year — Waldameer

31Dec2008 Filed under: Economy, Erie, Pa., Erie, Pa. Businesses, GE Transportation, GlobalErie Awards, Tourism, Waldameer Author: Peter Panepento

Globie The choice for Erie’s 2008 Business of the Year is not an easy one.

After all, 2008 was far from a good year for many companies. The economic meltdown might not be quite as severe in Erie as it is in some other parts of the country. But it is nonetheless putting the squeeze on almost every type of business.

2008 brought the demise of Erie Plastics, PNC’s buyout of National City, and news that many of the region’s long-standing retail businesses are shutting their doors.

It has brought uncertainty for the region’s manufacturers, many of whom supply the almost-dead Big Three automakers.

And there is a palpable feeling that things could get much worse in 2009.

Having said all of that, however, GlobalErie readers were able to create a lengthy list of worthy businesses when I put out the call recently for worthy businesses for this title.

There were some predictable names — the region’s largest employer, GE Transportation, was suggested. And GE certainly deserves mention for posting another strong year and for its contributions to the Erie School District.

Others receiving votes included grocery giant Wegmans , manufacturer Snap-tite Inc., the start up Lake Erie Biofuels, Erie Shipbuilding, Web company newline creations, and Pirrello Enterprises (a small company that is known for microfilm and document imaging services).

All are worthy choices. But one local business stands out as deserving this honor more than the others — Waldameer Amusement Park.

While much has changed in Erie over the past several decades, Waldameer has been a constant.

I would be surprised if anyone who is reading this entry today didn’t grow up attending school or company picnics at Waldameer each summer during their youth. And I’m sure there are many others who have fond memories of taking in events at Rainbow Gardens.

But this honor isn’t about the past.

It’s about the present.

And owner Paul Nelson has invested heavily in upgrading the park in recent years. For example, 2008 brought the arrival of the Ravine Flyer II, the new roller coaster that has earned national acclaim and has drawn countless new visitors to Erie.

Waldameer is proof that locally owned businesses can still grow and thrive in Erie.

The business has weathered its share of changes in the Erie economy — especially since many of the businesses that booked events at the park in the past are no longer on the map.

But the Nelson family has persevered. It has adjusted its approach and changed with the times.

And Erie is better for it.

Tags: Economy, Erie business, Paul Nelson, Ravine Flyer II, Waldameer

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

4 Responses to “Erie’s Business of the Year — Waldameer”

Dale
December 31st, 2008 at 10:41 am

Excellent decision, Peter!
DAT
December 31st, 2008 at 11:41 am

A nice balance of history and the future. See you in the summer!
bojosmom
January 1st, 2009 at 6:06 am

Good choice! Congratulations, Waldameer. Thanks for being a place that brings fun and happiness to the youngster in all of us! Well Done!
John C.
January 1st, 2009 at 5:43 pm

Waldameer is a great choice and doesn’t get the credit it deserves. The best Waldameer letter or editorial I saw all year was by Jeff Johnson, a local Erieite (and not the same Jeff Johnson who’s been in the news lately). Mr. Johnson, in his letter below, summed up the value of Waldameer and Paul Nelson quite well:

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080504/OPINION02/805040382/0/OPINION18

Nelson lauded for vision at Waldameer

In a few short weeks, the Ravine Flyer II roller coaster will make its debut at Waldameer Park & Water World. The Internet is buzzing about the new ride. Coaster enthusiasts from all over the country are planning trips here.

Families from the region will be drawn to the park as well.

Once here, many of the new visitors will undoubtedly discover Presque Isle State Park and other tourism opportunities that Erie offers.

And all of this has resulted from the vision of one man: Paul Nelson.

The boom in tourism resulting from this new ride will benefit the entire region.

But there is an even bigger success story about Waldameer, and one that shouldn’t be missed: Waldameer is surviving in an era when it should be dying. Nelson has beaten the odds. In a time when traditional, locally owned amusement parks are nearly extinct, Waldameer is not only surviving, it’s growing.

And Nelson has done it all without a dime of taxpayer money.

Compare this, if you will, to places like the Bayfront Convention Center or the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. Both of these places are new components of the local effort to attract tourists.

Yet neither would exist without the millions of taxpayer dollars they received.

In sharp contrast, Nelson has made Waldameer a magnet for tourists the oldfashioned way — with his own money.

Local politicians who increasingly look to taxpayer-funded tourism as the answer should be marveling at what Nelson has accomplished.

Waldameer has become much more than just an amusement park or tourist attraction. It’s an important regional asset.

The Ravine Flyer II, the realization of Nelson’s vision, takes its first ride on May 17. A new era in Erie tourism begins that day. Nelson’s vision has become Erie’s victory.

Jeff Johnson

Erie

Entries (RSS)
Comments (RSS)

About 'Outside Erie'

Peter Panepento After more than six years working as a journalist in Erie, I'm now the web editor for the Chronicle of Philanthropy in Washington, D.C., and the publisher of GlobalErie.com. I still maintain close ties to Erie - a community that I care about deeply. I hope this Web site can help inspire a better future for Erie.

Outside Erie