Regional leaders got to show off progress in the development of the Hazelwood Green complex to a team of state senators Thursday, including demonstrations in a self-driving car and rides on electric scooters.
But the high-level tour came with a message for members of the Senate Transportation Committee: The state needs to take steps to ensure technology developed at that site leads to the manufacturing of products and development of industries in this area rather than elsewhere across the country.
Donald Smith Jr., president of the Regional Industrial Development Corp. that is leading redevelopment of the 178-acre former Jones & Laughlin steel mill site in Hazelwood, told the group the region is a world leader in developing technology for autonomous vehicles. Researchers trained at Carnegie Mellon University have formed local companies such as Locomation, which is developing a system for freight trucks to travel in pairs with one driver, and provide staff for firms such as Argo AI, which is investing billions here in autonomous vehicles.
But there is legitimate concern, Mr. Smith said, the followup manufacturing produced by research and development could be drawn elsewhere. That’s where legislative leaders can play a role, he said.
“We need to make sure the regulatory environment allows that to happen here,” Mr. Smith said. “The opportunity is here, but the threats are real.”
RIDC has teamed with the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce on a study that will be released in a few weeks with recommendations for steps the region should take to keep industrial development in this region. The study, being prepared by local consultant TEConomy Partners, will provide “a little bit of a road map” for development, said Matt Smith, chamber president.
“We’re in a competition for business space and talent,” he said. “The investments we make over the next five years will determine whether we stay ahead.”
In an interview, the chamber president said Hazelwood Green provides “a great foundation” for the region with facilities such as Argo AI’s test track for autonomous vehicles and research facilities for Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh. Creating a welcoming business environment through tax policies, startup funds and employee training programs would allow the region to keep development here, he said.
“Other markets and states are competing for what is being developed in this space,” he said. “We’re going to need the public sector to be a part of this to make sure it happens.
Donald Smith said Hazelwood Green and the talent developed at CMU are key elements for the region, but they aren’t enough on their own.
“Nobody else has CMU. That’s really our trump card,” he said. “We know [technology developers] are going to stay here for research and development. We want the whole network of jobs to stay here.”
Sen. Wayne Langerholc, R-Cambria and chairman of the transportation committee, said supporting transportation industries is part of a package of bills he proposed this week to deal with transportation funding. Some of those bills will be discussed by the committee as early as next week.
“We can grow this industry here if we do it right,” he said.
Ed Blazina: eblazina@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1470 or on Twitter @EdBlazina.
First Published: June 4, 2021, 1:00 a.m.
Updated: June 4, 2021, 11:39 a.m.
