"In recent years, government officials and community leaders in Erie who advocate "regionalism" have parsed its meaning.

They stress that "regionalism" is not code for "municipal merger," because residents are reluctant to even study whether mergers could cut government costs, attract businesses or halt brain drain.

Instead, we've come to realize that collaboration and cooperation can make the Erie region a stronger economic player.

Now, a bold new economic development concept is helping us to see that the Erie region could stretch beyond a collection of Pennsylvania governmental units. The Erie Inland Port Project hopes to prove that Conneaut, Ohio, and Erie, Pa., can work together to improve our fortunes." For the complete Erie Times-News editorial, please click here.