This week's Inside Erie newsletter on the loss of GAF has prompted some interesting responses from readers.

Opinions are varied -- but there is a common theme. Our community has been let down yet again.

In this case, we were offered a chance several years ago to help keep GAF here. The company was looking to build a more modern plant in Erie and was looking for some help in securing a site and investing in the construction and equipment it needed. In return, a prime piece of bayfront property would have opened up.

This wasn't a situation like Steris, where the company simply pulled the plug without warning. While GAF offered assurances that it was committed to the region, it had also made it clear that it was looking to invest in future growth.

That investment, however, was made elsewhere.

That said, my major point in this week's letter was that the loss of companies like GAF is particularly painful because we're not cultivating new-economy businesses that provide well-paying jobs. As a result, when we lose an old-line business like GAF, the pain is greater because we don't have enough to absorb the loss.

Throughout the day, I'll post some of your comments below.

And I invite those who are joining the discussion now to post their own thoughts.