Access to Innovation
The Pittsburgh region has a long history of world-changing firsts – from the polio
vaccine to the first commercial oil well – and we’re still breaking new ground.
• World-class R&D at Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh
Medical Center creates rich tech transfer/commercialization opportunities
• A $3 billion investment in R&D annually fosters creative minds and creative solutions
• Established network of organizations to nurture innovation, entrepreneurship: AlphaLab, AlphaLab Gear,
Idea Foundry, Innovation Works, Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse, Pittsburgh Technology Council,
Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association and others
• Home to the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) for 100+ years
Quality of Place
“Pittsburgh is a great small city," according to Kamal Nigam, Google Pittsburgh's engineering
lead. With great riverfront development, a restaurant scene and diverse neighborhoods,
"people of all backgrounds can have an excellent time here.”
• Safety and comfort – one of the lowest crime rates among the 50 largest U.S. metros; low risk of natural
disaster; diverse, affordable housing market
• A clean energy and green building leader, region is home to 378 LEED certified buildings; 229 Energy Star
buildings; and one of only 11 certified Living Buildings nationally (Phipps Conservatory and Botanical
Gardens’ Center for Sustainable Landscapes)
• A comprehensive network of trails for hiking and biking, including the Great Allegheny Passage linking
Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C.
• 500+ arts and cultural organizations, including the Pittsburgh Symphony, one of the world’s elite orchestras
• Home to four Carnegie Museums, including The Andy Warhol Museum
• Three professional sports franchises – the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates – and three NCAA Division I schools
An affiliate of the Allegheny Conference
11 STANWIX STREET, 17TH FLOOR | PITTSBURGH, PA 15222-1312
TOLL FREE: 1 (877) 392-1300 | PHONE: (OUTSIDE OF U.S. AND CANADA) +1 (412) 392-1000 | FAX: (412) 392-1040 | PittsburghRegion.org
WHY PITTSBURGH
MEANS BUSINESS
Strategic Location | Educated, Skilled Workforce | Competitive Cost of Doing Business
Access to Innovation | Quality of Place
“American Eagle Outfitters is proud to be attracting
and retaining young professionals at our global
headquarters at Pittsburgh’s SouthSide Works. Our
company, and the region as a whole, benefit from
the energy, creativity and fresh point-of-view coming from the 20- and 30-somethings who work here.
We see it time and again – once people experience
Pittsburgh first-hand, they become ambassadors
and begin spreading the word about our beautiful,
affordable and livable city.”
About the Pittsburgh Region
We are 10 distinctive, neighboring counties comprising one powerful region of opportunity – a place where
there’s strength in numbers, literally. Essentials for successful business investment – transportation infrastructure;
academic, corporate and government R&D investment; energy resources, in particular ample Marcellus Shale
natural gas supplies; and workforce – are bundled here, delivering advantages that are uniquely Pittsburgh.
Our balanced economic foundation is made
strong by these key industry sectors:
•
•
•
•
•
Advanced Manufacturing
Energy
Financial & Business Services
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Information Technology
GDP by Key Industry Sector
Financial &
Business Services
23%
Other
40%
Advanced
Manufacturing*
10%
Energy*
14%
Information
Technology
3%
Healthcare &
Life Sciences
10%
*A portion of energy is also represented in advanced manufacturing.
Strategic Location
The Pittsburgh region’s location is
strategic because:
• Three signature rivers make it the second
largest inland port in the U.S.
• Commercial access via 18 railroad
systems, including CSX and Norfolk
Southern
• The top-ranked Pittsburgh International
Airport has over 650 flights per week to
key business destinations
• Within 500 miles of 50+% of the U.S.
buying power and nearly half of the U.S.
population and aggregate income
• Abundant and low cost feedstock of
natural gas from the Marcellus Shale the #1 shale gas play in the U.S. - fuels
manufacturing operations
• 70% of North American polyethylene
market is within 700 miles, making
the region a strategic location for
downstream manufacturing
– Marcie Eberhart, Director,
American Eagle Outfitters Foundation
Educated, Skilled Workforce
We have the right people to grow your business. Our workforce is:
• Educated – Among the most educated in the nation – nearly 50% of the region’s younger employees have
a bachelor’s degree or higher
• Abundant – An ample pipeline of talent, 41,000 graduates annually from 35 regional colleges and
universities, plus 70+ career and apprenticeship programs
• Entrepreneurial – Networks and programs are in place to encourage and grow startup companies
• Committed – Site location consultants consistently note the high marks given by employers for the regional
workforce’s loyalty and work ethic
• Collaborative – Employers work closely with post-secondary educators to tailor education and training
programs to the needs of today’s workplace
Competitive Cost of Doing Business
The region’s competitive and predictable cost of doing business is three-fold:
• Wage rates – at 96% of the national average (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• Cost of doing business – at 94% of the national average (Source: Moody’s Economy.com)
• Cost of living – at 93% of the national average, making it possible to take advantage of all quality-of-place
offerings in the region (Source: C2ER)
Occupational Wage Rates for All Relevant Positions (U.S. = 100%)
160%
140%
120%
100%
100%
102%
103%
107%
Pittsburgh Charlotte
Atlanta
Austin
Chicago
96%
109%
111%
113%
124%
129%
136%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Philadelphia Minneapolis
Denver
New York
Boston Washington D.C.