Bridgeway supports forward-thinking, startup enterprises, but the organization also understands that established family businesses are the bedrock of the regional economy. An example of its commitment to preserving and growing family businesses is Bridgeway’s recent support of J.J. Wurst Landscape Contractors. J.J. Wurst was started by Jerry Wurst in 1963. Over the last 50 years he cultivated a reputation for providing high-quality landscaping and construction services in the greater Erie area.
“Bridgeway was there for our family business with financial support as we transitioned from one generation to another.”
– Jerry Wurst, Founder, J.J. Wurst Landscape Contractors
Father to Sons
The business grew steadily as it accumulated commercial and residential installation projects, as well as the resulting contracts for ongoing maintenance. To diversify the business and tap into the growing DIY culture of home improvement, Jerry Wurst opened up a garden center offering plants, trees, vegetables, and landscape building materials. In 2005, Peter Wurst began to buyout his father as he approached retirement age, and the son is now the president of J.J. Wurst. Peter has worked for his father since he was young. His brother Pat also works in the business.
Full Spectrum Prosperity
About the financing from Bridgeway Peter Wurst observed that, “Bridgeway was there for our family business with financial support as we transitioned from one generation to another. Their investment provided the working capital we needed to boost plant production and hire employees to meet our growing workload.”
The national media is paying more attention to western Pennsylvania’s re-imagination and renewal, and the emergence of new tech-driven, startup industries. The success of J.J. Wurst demonstrates that lasting and substantive economic revitalization in Erie, Pittsburgh, and Uniontown require a full spectrum of business success, including enduring family businesses like J.J. Wurst Landscape Contractors.
J.J. Wurst Landscape Contractors
8334 Edinboro Road | Erie, PA 16509
814.476.7410 | www.jjwurst.com