WASHINGTON — The city of Pittsburgh was one of five sites that the Biden administration designated Tuesday as workforce hubs to encourage more public and private investment in new and innovative industries.
Pittsburgh was singled out for its emerging robotics, biomanufacturing and clean energy industries. And it received a federal grant to ensure that residents of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s rural communities, hurt by the decline of coal-fired energy, benefit from the new industries taking its place.
The administration also cited the city’s “world-class universities.”
“Pittsburgh is a hub for innovation across critical sectors, with strong growth in advanced manufacturing, including robotics and biomanufacturing, as well as clean energy, including batteries,” the White House said.
The Biden administration said it would work with local officials, companies, labor unions and educational institutions in Pittsburgh and four other cities — Augusta, Georgia; Baltimore; Columbus, Ohio; and Phoenix.
The goal is to develop a skilled and diverse workforce.
The funding came from the bipartisan infrastructure law and another measure to encourage development of advanced manufacturing such as computer chips, both of which drew some Republican support. It’s also tied to a law designed to encourage the development of clean energy and hold down health care costs, which passed over unanimous GOP opposition.
The White House said it will use the five cities as models for similar programs in other areas.
Jonathan D. Salant: jsalant@post-gazette.com, @JDSalant
First Published: May 16, 2023, 9:00 a.m.
Updated: May 16, 2023, 7:10 p.m.
