Charleston Reporter

A recent visit to Pittsburgh by the Chamber and 50 business leaders, including David Stasiukaitis, CEO of Low Country Case & Millwork, highlighted the city's ongoing transformation. This Metro Leadership Visit provided insights into how Pittsburgh has reinvented itself from a steel-producing powerhouse to a hub of technology, innovation, healthcare, and finance.

In the early 1980s, the collapse of the U.S. steel industry led to over 150,000 job losses in Pittsburgh. The exodus included many young adults due to union seniority policies, contributing to an aging population that continues to challenge the city. In 2021, Pittsburgh experienced the highest natural population loss among American metro areas.

To counter this decline, Pittsburgh focused on attracting new residents through intentional efforts and reshaping its economy. The city is now recognized for its advancements in aerospace, AI, medicine, education, healthcare, robotics, software engineering and other tech-forward industries.

Pennsylvania's political landscape necessitated collaboration among elected officials since no single party held full control since the late 1980s. This cooperation extended to academia and private sectors as well. Key players such as Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and the University of Pittsburgh have been instrumental in providing a skilled labor force that attracts businesses.

David Stasiukaitis noted: "Working together... helped bring Google’s regional headquarters in 2006," followed by other tech companies like Duolingo and Astrobotic. Additionally attracted were corporate offices for major companies such as Apple and Amazon.

Pittsburgh's philanthropic roots played a crucial role in its economic revival during tough times. Andrew Carnegie’s philosophy that “the man who dies thus rich dies disgraced” reflects this spirit. Today there are over 4,000 foundations with nearly $79 billion in assets supporting local initiatives.

H.J. “Jack” Heinz II’s establishment of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust (PCT) transformed a red-light district into a thriving arts neighborhood known as the Cultural District which hosts various cultural events annually attracting millions of visitors contributing significantly economically.

Stasiukaitis emphasized: "Overall... from an outsider’s perspective... journey has been nothing short of epic." He encouraged participation in future Metro Leadership Visits aimed at fostering community growth through shared learning experiences.