Small Business Development Center Receives $100K Grant To Help Displaced Workers

In January 2015, we joined dozens of local organizations--including the University of Pittsburgh's Small Business Development Center, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Veterans Chamber of Commerce, and McKeesport Business District Authority--to help foster entrepreneurship and innovation in the region with a free 12-week business program. Over 30 people signed up for the program and are graduating this week.

The effort was one phase in a plan to help promote startup business and entrepreneurs in the region. Now, the second phase is expanding to help displaced workers and businesses in Mon Valley. The Small Business Development Center is leading the effort with a $100K grant that it was recently awarded.

One of the purposes of the SBA grant is to find the local supply­ chain companies that once serviced the plant. 

“This one is for the existing businesses, for expanding their market and looking at supply chain connections,” Vargo said. “We're providing subsidized consulting for these business owners.”

Vargo said his center's services are free, including strategic planning assistance for businesses and consultation for former McKeesport Tubular Operations employees.

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What Industry Drove Pittsburgh's Economy in 2014?

In previous blog posts, we've talked a lot about how technology is booming in Pittsburgh. But what other industry is making waves in the steel city? Advanced manufacturing, according to a recent report from NextPittsburgh. The sector was the primary economy driver last year in Pittsburgh with a whopping 68 investment deals.

A majority of the deals were business expansions and retention projects. In dollars, these manufacturing deals translate to $450,234 in capital investment as well as 5,400 new jobs.

Information Technology totalled 47 deals, energy companies 31 deals, financial and business services 28 deals and health and life sciences 24 deals.

“Manufacturing’s performance is especially encouraging,” said Dennis Yablonsky, CEO of the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance. “That sector’s investment deals are creating and retaining high-wage jobs that support a robust supply chain throughout the Pittsburgh region.”

The manufacturing sector still involves technology though, the report highlights this by stating,

“While today’s manufacturing requires fewer employees because of technological advances, the sector demands smarter, tech-savvy workers whose salaries are competitive and reflect the education and training that individuals bring to 21st century manufacturing operations.” 

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Easter Events In Pittsburgh This Weekend

Easter is this Sunday! If you are in the steel city this weekend, there are tons of fun activities for you to do with your family. So that you don't put all your eggs into one basket, here are a few options to choose from: 

Eggstravaganza: National Aviary

From April 3- 5, the National Aviary on the North Side will be having their annual egg hunt with an aviary twist. Children can find eggs and match them up with the birds that they belong to. For registration and event information, visit the National Aviary website here. 

Egg-cellent Egg Hunt: Carnegie Museum

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is having their annual Egg-cellent Egg Hunt. When you come to the museum you can join in on the egg hunt. The hunt is free with admission to the first 600 children that come. Event starts at 4 PM. More details here.

Bunny Cruise: Gateway Clipper

You can sail the three rivers this Sunday with the Gateway Clipper fleet. The fleet is having an Easter brunch and luncheon on board. The ship sets sail at 10 am and 3 pm. The Easter bunny will also be on board for photo opportunities. Find more event details here. 

What Easter events do you have planned for this weekend? Feel free to share them with us!

Big Idea Competition Showcase - Diamond Kinetics Guest Speaker

The annual Randall Family Big Idea event showcase is happening on April 2nd from 4 to 6 pm. Entrepreneurs from Pitt will be competing for $100,000 in cash prizes for their innovative ideas. During the showcase, finalists will present to a panel of expert judges along with Pitt students, faculty, alumni, entrepreneurs, investors, and program sponsors.
At this year's showcase, Diamond Kinetics, the RCI company that is revolutionizing baseball techniques with their Swing Tracker technology, will be a guest speaker. The event is free, but those interested in attending the showcase should register here.

Here are some more details and information about the competition:

Mission
The annual Randall Family Big Idea Competition is an experience-based learning opportunity offered to all University of Pittsburgh undergraduate and graduate students across all schools and departments. Since its inception in 2009, the competition has attracted hundreds of interdisciplinary teams seeking to bring their big ideas to market.

Objectives

• Stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Pittsburgh
• Support University of Pittsburgh students in launching and growing new business ventures in western Pennsylvania
• Provide a forum for emerging student entrepreneurs to network with potential advisors, partners, customers and funders
• Highlight the expanding entrepreneurial culture at Pitt to the university community, the region and prospective students

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Record Year for Tech Investments in Pittsburgh

According to a recent report from Ernst & Young LLP and Innovation Works, investment dollars came pouring into Pittsburgh last year. The city has been getting noticed lately for its innovative startups, especially in the tech industry and based on the report findings, venture capitalists and other investors are noticing. The spike in investments is the highest it has been since 2001, and it moves Pittsburgh up to 11th in the U.S. for venture capital dollars.

Highlights of this year's report include:

• Growth in Pittsburgh's technology sector is accelerating among venture capitalists, angels and other investors with $437.8 millioninvested across 177 deals in 2014, marking a 46% increase in dollars and a 19.6% increase in deals over 2013.
• VCs invested $332.9 million into 39 Pittsburgh deals in 2014, a 168% increase in dollars invested and a 26% increase in the number of deals over 2013. This was the highest level of VC investment in the Pittsburgh region since 2001.
• Angels invested $72.9 million in 2014, a 35% increase over 2013.
• Pittsburgh compares favorably against the 40 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the United States, ranking 11th in investment dollars per capita and 5th in deals per million residents.

The uptick in investment activity is a noticeable component of Pittsburgh's overall economic health. "Pittsburgh's tech community has built great success, and continuing momentum, through an inter-related system of strong university partnerships, a steady stream of talent and investment and a nurturing community for startups. These numbers will grow even better in coming years," PittsburghMayor William Peduto said.

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Ways to Celebrate Saint Patrick's Day in Pittsburgh

There are other ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Pittsburgh, besides attending the annual parade. In fact, according to a recent ranking from Niche, Pittsburgh is the best city in the U.S. for celebrating the holiday. In honor of the city's new title, here are some St. Patty's Day events from the Tribune-Review to put in your calendar.

Beer Session

On March 17, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's Craft Beer School will host a session on ales created at area breweries that use green or environmentally sustainable practices.
Tony “The Beer Man” Knipling of Vecenie Distributing will host the session called “When Green Beer Is Good Beer.” It offers tastings of several beers, light appetizers, a Q&A period and an opportunity to win door prizes. 

The event will kick off at 6 p.m. in the Cabaret at Theater Square, 655 Penn Ave., Downtown. Admission is $29.75, but the session is sold out. However, the luck of the Irish might help you snag a cancellation turned in to the box office. 

Details: 412-456-6666 or trustarts.org

Green Dress Run
Maybe you just wear a green scarf or pin to avoid a nasty glare on St. Patrick's Day. But if you really like wearing green, the Green Dress Run on March 14 at Peter's Pub in Oakland is right up your alley. 

Don a green dress and bring $20 — along with your sense of humor — and join the Pittsburgh Hash House Harriers on a trail they promise will be flat, short and dry — with beer and other goodies provided. Participants must be at least 21 years old. 

The Harriers will donate proceeds from this year's Green Dress Run to the Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania. 

Details: 412-480-5872 or mypeterspub.com

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Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade Details

If you are in Pittsburgh around St. Patty's Day, you probably know that the city is full of celebrations. This year, the annual parade is scheduled for Saturday, March 14th. If you want to join in on the celebrations, just put on your festive green attire and head Downtown for the parade. Here are some of the details:

Market Square will host its annual street party starting at 10 a.m. The "Irish Fair in the Square" is a family-friendly, alcohol-free event until 2 p.m., then it becomes an adult-oriented event with beer drinking allowed in the streets and controlled access to the square.Open containers will be permitted (no glass or coolers) from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Food and green beer will be sold in the streets of the square. 

Parking:Street parking will be heavily restricted. Visit the Parking Authority website for a list of downtown lots and garages and their rates.

Public Transit:Check the Port Authority schedules for bus and T service to downtown.
Approximately 45 bus routes serving Downtown and the Strip District will have detours and/or temporary stop changes starting as early as 7:30 a.m. 

Street Closures:Pittsburgh police will announce a list of downtown street closures in the days leading up to the parade.

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