One week after unveiling plans for a new industrial park, Erie County Executive Brenton Davis is making a push to bring new businesses to Erie.


On Thursday, representatives from Gus Technology Co. and NACT Engineering were given a tour of Wabtec and the Innovation Commons at Penn State Behrend.

Gus Technology is a lithium battery manufacturer from Taiwan, and is interested in building a plant in the U.S.

NACT Engineering develops drone accessories and other robotics in Singapore, and is looking for business opportunities in the U.S.

By attracting foreign companies looking to invest, Davis says it will create good-paying jobs.

"This is finally Erie County playing offense," said Davis. "30 to 40 years of playing defense, managed decline, and now we are finally playing offense. This is what true economic development looks like, and this is what our community can do to leverage outside of our weight class, if we get out there and make it a reality. We just got to work to do it."

Both companies expressed interest in Erie.

"I think if you want good, educated engineers or workers, both blue collar and white collar, I think Erie County provides a lot of services, industrial purposes that can help any company that moves into here," said Gus Technology Co. Director of Strategy Michael Hsiung. "My experience in Erie has been amazing."

"Talking about manufacturing, the have the facilities," said NACT Engineering CEO Ng Aik Thong. "Talking about artificial intelligence, they have the manpower, so I think we can work closely together to quickly grow our products based on new technology that is infused by the universities to outshine our competition."


Davis met both companies while attending the Select USA Investment in Summit in Washington D.C.