NorthSide/NorthShore Chamber of Commerce Networking Event

Join the Northside Northshore Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 2nd at James Street Gastropub & Speak-easy for the first 'First Thursday Networking Event 2012'! Be sure to RSVP by Jan. 31 by calling 412-231-6500.

Entrepreneurship: The Most Conservative Career Move You Can Make

RCI follows Moneyning.com as it dives into the realm of entrepreneurship to 'bust myths' to teach you the 'Understanding of the risk of jobs", and how to make the appropriate "Conservative choices".

From Moneyning:

There’s a myth that goes along with getting a job: you work hard and your employer will take care of you. Maybe if you work particularly hard, you might eventually get promoted. As long as you’re doing your job and doing it right, you’re guaranteed to get a pay check. That makes finding a good job the most conservative thing you can do with your career, right?

The truth isn’t so simple, though. Even if the myth of the good job was true in our parents or grandparents’ day, it’s become almost impossible to believe in now. With the sheer number of companies that rely on contractors, the number of mergers that end with layoffs and all the other ways that a job has become a surprisingly fragile career path, it’s important to recognize that taking job after job can’t be considered a conservative way to make a living.

To read more and see the original article, click here!

Councilman Lavelle Leads the Charge to Protect Minority Communities!

On January 11th Councilman Lavelle addressed the community saying:

Greetings,

Yesterday, on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, I sponsored Bill #2012-0014, which requires financial institutions seeking to become City depositories to make a commitment to community reinvestment in low to moderate income neighborhoods.  The bill also instructs the City Controller to evaluate banks with which the City does business as to their success or failure in meeting this commitment.  This legislation was prematurely passed by Council last year but vetoed by the Mayor last year because of the lack of community input from low to moderate income neighborhoods.  Also because as written the bill would have likely had the adverse effect on the communities it purports to serve.

This legislation now has stronger language that is aimed at ensuring banks are committed to investing in low to moderate income communities.  A few of the important changes that my office has made to this legislation include the following:

• Provision requiring financial institutions to meet a minimum of a satisfactory Federal CRA rating (Community Reinvestment Act) in order to be deemed eligible as a city depository.  Institutions that do not meet this minimum criteria will not be evaluated further for consideration.
• Any financial institution receiving City funds as a City depository must keep those funds in a branch located within City limits.  Furthermore, as banks are asked, to the greatest extent possible, to keep monies in branches located in low-moderate income census tract blocks in order to to ensure the the sustainability of branches in those communities.
• Provision requiring financial institutions reporting to be detailed down to census tract blocks.

It is my hope that this legislation will better assist low to moderate income communities economically grow and thrive within the City of Pittsburgh.  You can view Bill #2012-0014 by clicking here.

This article provided by pittsburghpa.gov, to view the original article page click here!

RCI Sustainable Development

The North Side Industrial Development Company d/b/a Riverside Center for Innovation has expanded its efforts throughout southwestern Pennsylvania focusing on a systematic approach toward sustainable development in several of the older communities in our region. The purpose of this program is to stabilize financially distressed and disadvantaged municipalities by increasing the capacity to these communities to undertake economic recovery activities through our creation of state designated enterprise zones and Brownfield redevelopment.

The Enterprise Zone concept evolved in the late 1970's and introduced in Pennsylvania in 1983. This program promotes disadvantage communities to grow businesses and create sustainable jobs. Our unique systematic approach helps improves communication between the public and private sectors to form partnerships. Through these partnerships, RCI is able create a revolving loan fund that can be loaned to private sector firms in the designated zone. Other benefits in the zone would be:

• Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority Loans - a low interest loan program for applicants requesting financing to buy, expand or build a facility.
• Machinery and Equipment Loan Funds - a low interest loan to acquire and install new or used machinery and equipment or to upgrade existing machinery or equipment.
• Small Business First Loans - low-interest loan financing for land and building acquisition and construction; machinery and equipment purchases and working capital.
• Socially and Economically Restricted Businesses - firms located in the zone are provided advantage in bidding on state government contracts.
• Neighborhood Assistance EZ Tax Credit Program - eligible to apply for 20% tax credits against the state corporate net income tax for the value of the improvements.

To read more, Click Here!

Christmas Gift Drive Benefitting Urban Impact!

Please help the Riverside Center for Innovation collect gifts for kids served by Urban Impact Foundation, a North Side nonprofit and help change lives one person, one family, one block at a time. Visit www.urbanimpactpittsburgh.org for more info.

Reading Is Fundamental Pittsburgh is the Pittsburgh affiliate of Everybody Wins! USA, which is a
national literacy and mentoring organization that strives to build literacy skills and a love of reading
among elementary school students.

RIF and Everybody Wins! USA are currently seeking volunteers to read with students at Pittsburgh King Elementary School on the Northside. Volunteers can choose to help on either Tuesday or Thursday, and 1st lunch (11:45-12:25) or 2nd lunch (12:30-1:10).

It is impossible to run this program without the commitment of faithful volunteers. If you are interested
in becoming a mentor with Everybody Wins! or know someone who would make a fantastic reading
buddy, please contact us through the information listed below:

Coordinator Contact Information
Lisa Sharfstein, Everybody Wins! Recruitment Coordinator
everybodywins@rifpittsburgh.org
Phone: 412-321-8022

Duquesne Light - Light Up Night

This Friday the 18th is the 51^st Duquesne Light - Light Up Night!  

It's our BIGGEST celebration ever and it’s all for you!  Join the excitement of the official kick-off of the Downtown Holiday shopping season. Pittsburgh’s stars come out as the stars come up! The entire Golden Triangle becomes the stage for one of the largest holiday celebrations in the nation.

People of all ages will have the opportunity to experience Downtown like never before during TWO BIG DAYS filled with free high-quality family entertainment by some of Pittsburgh’s most memorable performers.

For more information, click here.