Community Profile
Less than ten (10) minutes south of Lake Erie on U.S. Route 20/PA18 sets the Borough of Girard. We offer a quiet setting with great accessibility to larger markets. Interstate 90 (east-west) is just 5 minutes south, Interstate 79 (north-south) – 16 minutes east, and Interstate 86 (east-west) – 32 minutes northeast. These roadways bring Cleveland, Ohio, within a 1 ½ hour commute; Buffalo, New York, within 2 hours; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, within 2 ¼ hours. Toledo, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; and Rochester, New York, can all be reached in less than 3 ¾ hours.Further destinations can be accessed quickly through the Erie International Airport, accessible within 15 minutes. Amtrak services are also available in Erie.
The Borough of Girard Electric Department maintains the electric distribution system within our community. We provide local, economical, and reliable power supply to our customers. Residents have part-ownership, the opportunity to elect representatives to the board/council governing the system, and attend their open meetings. Electrical issues are resolved locally within the borough. As a municipal system, it is our goal to provide quality service at an economical price. Girard is a Member of American Municipal Power, Inc., the nonprofit, wholesale power and services provider for more than 130 public power communities that serve about 661,000 customers across nine states. AMP manages and supplies competitively priced, reliable wholesale power to Member municipal electric systems such as Girard.
Parents have the choice of sending their children to our Girard Local Schools, or a local private school. For those who wish to further their education or attain a degree, several colleges/universities are available within a thirty (30) minute drive. They include: Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Penn St. Erie-Behrend College, Mercyhurst College, or Gannon University.
Our area is home to three (3) state parks with campgrounds available. Erie County boasts more than twenty (20) golf courses and offers the opportunity for many water activities on nearby Lake Erie. There are also varied opportunities for shopping and cultural events.
The Borough of Girard is fortunate to own and maintain the Girard Borough Park, consisting of approximately 122 acres, which encompasses the Water Works Pond and is adjacent to Elk Creek. The Water Works Pond provides fishing opportunities to the community’s youth and disabled while Elk Creek provides for some of the finest steelhead fishing in the world.
We invite you to visit Girard and let us show you what our community has to offer.