Strong and Equitable Economic and Community Development
The unemployment rate in Allegheny is at a historic low of 3.7%, and there are currently more job postings than there are unemployed people. However, around 38% of Allegheny County households that earn more than the Federal Poverty Level still struggle to cover the costs of household essentials like housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care, and a basic smartphone plan. The county is taking the following steps to attract new employers, support local entrepreneurs, and help workers to thrive.
Initiatives
- Not Started 0%
- In Progress 86%
- Completed 14%
Community Priorities
Members of the Allegheny County community value:
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- Creating more vibrant downtown and neighborhood corridors that feel safe, welcoming, and interesting
- Creating more affordable housing
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Helping local entrepreneurs start and grow small businesses
- Addressing the needs of workers
See the 7 initiatives Supporting Strong and Equitable Economic and Community Development
6 Month Action Items
1 year action items
Help businesses thrive in neighborhood commercial districts through the Allegheny Together program
The Allegheny Together program provides technical assistance and strategic planning support for municipalities and/or main street groups through the creation of new employment opportunities, the attraction and retention of businesses to revitalize traditional business districts.
In 2023, the Allegheny Together program provided support to Braddock, East Pittsburgh, North Braddock, Pitcairn, Blawnox, and Glassport. In the coming year, Allegheny County Economic Development (ACED) will transition the program from a selective application process to providing ongoing support and assistance for municipalities with local economic development initiatives.
Completed
ACED continues to serve three business districts as part of the existing program—Glassport, Blawnox, Mt. Oliver Borough—while planning for the expansion.
In March 2025, ACED held a summit with more than 80 participants representing 30+ communities interested in mainstreet programs and 10 partner organizations providing resources and services to small businesses. Participants had the opportunity to provide feedback to Allegheny County, and data is continuing to be reviewed to determine additional actions.
In June 2025, new and expanded programs serving business districts and mainstreet corridors will launch with an integrated performance measurement system and a competitive RFP process for service providers and interested communities.
Deepen the county’s partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, the Allegheny Conference, and local development groups to collectively invest in downtown Pittsburgh
In Progress
In October 2024, Governor Shapiro, County Executive Innamorato, and Mayor Gainey, along with elected officials, corporate leaders, private developers, organized labor, nonprofits and artists announced a major collective effort to improve downtown Pittsburgh. As part of this effort, the Shapiro Administration is investing $62.6M and the City of Pittsburgh is committing $22.1M through the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).
A broad coalition of private sector leaders and regional foundations have committed more than $40M in additional funding for this plan, including partners such as:
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- BNY
- Buhl Foundation
- Dollar Bank
- Duquesne Light Company
- Eden Hall Foundation
- Federated Hermes
- FNB Bank
- Giant Eagle
- Heinz Endowments
- Highmark
- Hillman Foundation
- Jewish Healthcare Foundation
- Pitt Ohio
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Pittsburgh Pirates
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- PNC Bank
- PPG Industries
Allegheny County Economic Development (ACED) continues to work in partnership with the URA, City of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Public Schools, DCED, Allegheny Conference to steward the Downtown Revitalization Plan; ACED also maintains the portal for the shared LERTA for downtown.
RAD has committed $5M to the $31M Arts Landing project, which is Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s new outdoor civic space near 8th street. The Trust promises that Arts Landing, “will create new, inclusive, welcoming spaces that will be free and available to use by the general public.” This stance aligns with RAD’s goals to support and expand outdoor public gathering spaces throughout Allegheny County.
Over the past two years, RAD has also provided $1.67M in capital grants to upgrade the Benedum Center and Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh’s two largest theaters. These landmarks form the centerpiece of the Cultural District that attract more than 2M annual attendees, and supports an arts and entertainment economy that employs more than 6,000 downtown workers.
Make it easier for minority- and women-owned businesses to contract with the County
Allegheny County will begin with an equity review of existing contracting processes to identify ways the county can invite greater participation from minority- and locally-owned businesses.
In Progress
Allegheny County continues to offer disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) certification that is regulated by US DOT. Allegheny County Department of Equity and Inclusion (DEI) offers DBE certification presentations and one-on-one certification counseling sessions to make it easier for businesses to become certified.
Allegheny County is participating in a regional disparity study led by the City of Pittsburgh to understand the effects of race, ethnicity, and gender on the ability to do business throughout the Greater Pittsburgh region. The county and other regional partners are working to collect data on the utilization of minority, women, and LGBTQ+ -owned businesses, as well as the utilization of these firms as contractors and subcontractors in the regional partner’s marketplace. Regional partners include:
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- Pittsburgh Parking Authority
- Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA)
- Sports and Exhibition Authority (SEA)
- Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh
This study aims to identify existing barriers to equal opportunity, assess the participation of minority- and women-owned businesses in public contracting, and develop actionable strategies to promote fairness, equity, and economic inclusion in procurement and business development initiatives.
Conduct a public engagement and education campaign, supported by the County’s Human Relations Commission on anti-discrimination policies and protections
To address the community priority of “protecting the rights of workers and strengthening anti-discrimination policies in hiring and in workplaces”, Allegheny County will conduct a public engagement and education campaign, supported by the county’s Human Relations Commission on anti-discrimination policies and protections.
In Progress
For the first time in more than 15 years, the Human Relations Commission (HRC) Ordinance was updated to comply with applicable federal standards for analogous bodies. These updates serve to:
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- Ensure the commission’s power to use enforceable subpoenas
- Enhance the ability to protect the rights of residents
- Provide greater access to resources, in a more timely and effective manner
Additionally, the HRC continues to partner with other agencies and organizations across the region to develop a “Know Your Rights” awareness campaign, in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations and Fair Housing Partnership.
Strengthen the County’s partnership with the workforce investment board, Partner4Work, to connect people to high-value jobs
The county will use its technology resources, relationship with job seekers, and partnership with Parnter4Work to:
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- Better connect people to job postings by developing an online tool that helps people search for opportunities that match their skills and preferences
- Encourage employers to hire residents with criminal histories by making it easier for employers to access subsidies for second-chance hiring
In Progress
Learn and Earn Program
The 2025 Learn and Earn application period opened on March 14, 2025. Following the opening of the application, a joint press conference held by Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh, and Partner4Work celebrated the changes to the 11th year of the Learn and Earn program.
This summer’s program will feature a three-tiered model, with youth ages 14-15 experiencing training and career exploration, and youth ages 16+ participating in paid work experiences. A tier for young adults 18+ will launch in summer 2025 to give participants an opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials and participate in work experiences directly related to employment.
Job Fairs Featuring Allegheny County Jobs
Since July 2024, PA CareerLink has hosted several job fairs at which Allegheny County departments have recruited job seekers. Job fairs represent a key opportunity for individuals seeking employment with the county to talk to current county staff about roles available with the Human Services, Police, the Health Department, and more.
Create an online tool with centralized information that makes it easier for entrepreneurs, non-profits, and business owners to access information
To deliver on the community priority of “creating a one-stop-shop that connects small businesses to all necessary applications, permits, and programs” and “increase access to loans and grants for small businesses,” Allegheny County will create an online tool with centralized information that makes it easier for entrepreneurs, non-profits, and business owners to access information about applications, permits, grant programs, and other important processes.
The county will first convene a board of community stakeholders and members of county government, including Allegheny County departments such as Economic Development (ACED), Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Human Services (DHS), and Information Technology (DIT), to understand what information is most critical for local business owners to access, and then create this tool based on their feedback.
The county will then conduct a public education campaign to share this new resource with local business owners throughout the county.
In Progress
More ACED programs have transitioned to an online portal, such as LERTA and VPRP, and programs are continually evaluated and redesigned to support user needs.
Create a more user-friendly and streamlined process for small businesses
Create a more user-friendly and streamlined process for small businesses by reviewing existing contracting processes, which currently vary across departments, and identifying ways to reduce the burden on small businesses seeking to win county contracts.
In Progress
Allegheny County Economic Development (ACED) will launch new technical assistance and loan programs for small businesses in June 2025.