From Founders to Frontiers: 250 Years of Northwest Pennsylvania Innovation

From shipbuilding and steel to plastics, industrial manufacturing, advanced materials, insurance technology, education, and AI, innovation is woven into the fibers of Northwest Pennsylvania. From early industrial breakthroughs to today's tech-driven entrepreneurship, this opening session, led by Ben Franklin Technology Partner Regional Director and Portfolio Manager Brian Slawin, explores the history of innovation in our region, why Pennsylvania has long been a national pioneer and how organizations such as Ben Franklin Technology Partners helps turn ideas into companies, jobs and opportunity. 

With a focus on what it truly takes to build a resilient innovation ecosystem in 2026 and beyond, we'll also discuss the realities of changing economies, manufacturing transitions, workforce shifts and spotlight the milestones in manufacturing, energy, education and collaboration that continue to redefine what's possible. Blending historical reflection with forward perspective, this opening session will highlight the birth and growth of innovation in Northwest Pennsylvania. 

This is the first installment in the Keystone Sparks: Inventing the Next Pennsylvania three-part seminar series hosted by the Ben Franklin Technology Partners and the Jefferson Educational Society. From founding sparks to future breakthroughs, Keystone Sparks reviews the history of innovation in the nation, the commonwealth, and the region, and explores how northwest Pennsylvania is building America's Next 250, connecting Northwest Pennsylvania's story of innovation from legacy to possibility.  

As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, we stand at a powerful crossroad where ideas become engines for industry-shaping manufacturing to today's startups, artists, technologists, and community builders redefining what's next. This three-part series explores how innovation has shaped our region's past, fuels our present economy, and can inspire our collective future — and looks at how everyone can take part in building the next era of growth, resilience, and opportunity. Through dialogue, storytelling, and collaboration, the series connects local entrepreneurs, community builders, and curious residents to the ideas and tools that continue to transform Erie and beyond. Keystone Sparks invites everyone to consider how our region continues to invent the next Pennsylvania and everyone's part in that. 

This event is part of the JES's USA 250 Event Series. 

Location: Jefferson Educational Society - 3207 State St, Erie, PA 16508

Date/Time: Friday, March 13, 12-1:30PM

Admission: FREE, $5/person for Lunch

*If purchasing a lunch, please register 48 hours in advance.Vegetarian option available. Thank you! 

If you do NOT receive a letter from info@jeserie.org within 24-48 hours regarding your registration, please check your spam or junk folder. Thank you!