Links
Local and national economic development organizations
Western Pennsylvania
Beyond our region
Western Pennsylvania
3 Rivers Connect
3rc’s mission is to accelerate economic, social and educational development through
innovative uses of information technology. To this end, we are building the pieces of
the Information CommonsSM resource—a cyberplace where every resident and visitor to
this region will learn, work and interact. This means that not only will you have access
to a wealth of information affecting your daily life, but you will also be wired into
the digital transformation currently underway in the Pittsburgh Region.
Allegheny Conference on Community Development
The Allegheny Conference is a private, nonprofit organization with the unique ability to
convene corporate, government and community leaders to frame, discuss and implement civic
initiatives.
Coro
Coro program participants learn about the real world in the real world by actively
questioning, interacting with diverse constituents, finding resources and coming up
with innovative solutions to the problems faced by their communities. Together,
participants explore community dynamics, leadership and decision-making, while building
the skills necessary for successful careers in business, politics, education, government
and the nonprofit sectors.
Cyert Center for Early Education
The Cyert Center for Early Education's primary mission is to be a full-day early care and
education program for 130 children ages three months through Kindergarten. The Department of
Public Welfare and the Pennsylvania Department of Private Academic Schools license the Cyert Center,
which was founded in 1971. The Center was one of the first 100 programs in the United States to
receive national accreditation status in 1987.
Innovation Works
Innovation Works is a publicly funded venture capital organization that invests in
technology startups in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Our mission is to increase the new
enterprise success rate by providing the highest potential technology companies with
access to risk capital, business expertise and third party resources. Through a continuum
of hands-on support, guidance and investment, we help companies to maximize their chances
to attract additional capital and achieve commercial success.
Institute for Economic Transformation
IET is a not-for-profit, economic-development organization established in 1993 and associated
with Duquesne University's Graduate School of Business in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. IET program
areas include executive education, business development, industrial networking, robotics and
workforce development. Programs are funded through private foundations, government grants and/or
client, fee-based income.
IssuesPA
IssuesPA is a website covering state and regional policy issues.
The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania
LWV is a nonpartisan organization thhat provides information on voting and our government.
Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild
Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild is a multi-discipline, minority directed, center for arts and
learning that employs the visual and performing arts to foster a sense of accomplishment and
hope in the urban community. Its mission is to educate and inspire urban youth through the
arts and mentored training in life skills; preserve, present and promote jazz and visual arts
to stimulate intercultural understanding, appreciation and enhancement of the quality of life
for our audiences; and, equip and educate leaders to further demonstrate entrepreneurial potential.
Mon Valley Education Consortium
The Mon Valley Education Consortium is a private, nonprofit, third party intermediary
organization that works in 25 school districts in southwestern Pennsylvania. Established
in 1987 as a Local Education Fund (LEF), its work is centered in three areas: school
improvement and student achievement, public engagement and leadership/governance.
Partnership for Regional Innovation in Manufacturing Education
Partnership for Regional Innovation in Manufacturing Education is an industry-driven, academic
system delivering innovative manufacturing education and career development in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Economy League, Inc.
The Pennsylvania Economy League, Inc., Western Division, is a nonprofit, civic organization
whose mission is to provide the research and analysis for the business, civic and
governmental leadership of western Pennsylvania in efforts to effectuate change to
make our region a better place to live, work and do business.
Pittsburgh Digital Greenhouse
Founded in 1999, the Pittsburgh Digital Greenhouse (PDG) is a strategic economic development
initiative established to foster growth across a regional industry cluster that is developing
and employing System on Chip (SoC) and related technologies for networking and multimedia applications.
Pittsburgh Gateways
We assist universities, communities and eligible individual entrepreneurs to start
new business ventures and to accelerate commercial development of intellectual property.
Pittsburgh Regional Alliance
The PRA, a not-for-profit economic development organization, views the Pittsburgh region
as a product in a global marketplace. Its mission is to generate and assist “customers”
of the regional product by utilizing the resources and services of partner organizations
and, where necessary, providing the services directly.
Pittsburgh Technology Council
Since 1983, the Pittsburgh Technology Council has been the principal point of connection
for companies from four primary clusters of the technology industry that are represented
by a critical mass of businesses in southwestern Pennsylvania: Information Technology;
BioMedical Technology; Advanced Manufacturing/Materials; Environmental Technology.
Regional Internship Center
RIC works with employers to develop programs and connect them with potential interns.
World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh
The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh promotes the global character of the Pittsburgh region.
Workforce Connections
Workforce Connections encourages increased quality and capacity of the region’s workforce.
Xplorion
Xplorion is a unique exhibition space devoted to highlighting the abundant assets of
southwestern Pennsylvania. Xplorion offers visitors and residents alike an introduction to
the economic, cultural, artistic and recreational opportunities that make southwestern
Pennsylvania an exciting place to live, work, play and invest. Visit this site for hundreds
of links.
YouthWorks
Its mission is to develop internship and job opportunities for local youth, ages 16–25,
who live in disadvantaged areas. YouthWorks offers job readiness training and other career
development workshops to motivated young people who have been recommended by previous
employers as well as teachers or other community leaders.
Beyond our region
Council on Competitiveness
The Council on Competitiveness is a forum for elevating national competitiveness to the forefront of national consciousness.
FIRST—For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology
FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life
skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and
engineering.
International Trade Administration
The Office of Export Trading Company Affairs (OETCA) was created by Congress as part of the
Export Trading Company Act of 1982. Located in the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International
Trade Administration, OETCA promotes the formation and use of export trade intermediaries and
the development of joint export ventures by U.S. firms, including joint ventures by U.S. firms
that are competitors in the domestic market.
Job Seeking Skills Web
The Job Seeking Skills Web is designed as a tool to help bring career education into the school
curriculum for high school students. It is a cooperative venture between Burlington County
Institute of Technology, Cinnaminson School District and Rowan University. It is designed in
accordance with the Goals 2000 Act, as a means to provide teenagers with an opportunity to learn
more about careers available for consideration as they get ready to enter their high school,
college and graduate years.
National Association of Manufacturers
The NAM’s mission is to enhance the competitiveness of manufacturers and to improve American
living standards by shaping a legislative and regulatory environment conducive to U.S. economic
growth, and to increase understanding among policymakers, the media and the general public
about the importance of manufacturing to America’s economic strength.
National Head Start Association
Created in 1965, Head Start is the most successful, longest-running, national school readiness
program in the United States. It provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition and parent
involvement services to low-income children and their families. More than 21 million pre-school
aged children have benefited from Head Start.
Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation
Because innovation, creativity and enthusiasm are essential “tools of our trade,”
the SME Education Foundation focuses on people. The Foundation provides leadership and resources
that nurture the manufacturing leaders of tomorrow, working toward a future where manufacturing
professionals have the resources they need to advance technologies and create better products, faster.