Rep. Martell Covington: The value of strong tech investments
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It’s an exciting time to be in Pittsburgh. The city has experienced unprecedented growth and embraced a future where opportunities and options are more limitless than ever before.
Exponential growth doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s taken long-term commitments, dedication and the strategic outlook of local leaders like Mayor Ed Gainey to get to where we are today.
One of the most critical pillars of getting the city to where we knew it could be was establishing a strong economy bolstered by a variety of employment sectors and job growth opportunities. But we know that the benefits of this growing economy are not experienced by all of our neighbors.
Just recently, a report from EY and Innovation Works highlighted one of the areas that has been highly influential in getting us to where we are today — the tech sector. Over the last 10 years, the development of the tech sector in Pittsburgh has been stunning. We’ve seen over $10.5 billion in investment, with more than 300 industry-related businesses contributing to the Pittsburgh economy.
As the city advances its technological capabilities, it isn’t just the development of new businesses that’s introducing benefits to the area, but also the further advancement of our existing businesses. Mom-and-pop shops that once only sold to their neighborhood have been able to grow online, expanding products to new markets. It’s been exciting to watch as Pittsburgh continues to cement itself as a nationally, and even globally relevant city.
Continuing this trajectory depends on strong leaders at the helm, which luckily, Pittsburgh has. Gainey’s election to mayor put a leader in place who ensures that residents are supported, especially with his strong focus on the workforce and economy. He understands the value of the tech sector in bolstering those parts of our city, and he has made a point of developing relationships with businesses across the tech industry to further push the sector’s development in the city. Gainey’s work, and the general success of the industry in Pittsburgh, shows that partnership is the key to success.
What is happening in Pittsburgh could easily be replicated in cities across the country that are looking to expand their influence and open doors for their community. This will only continue to work if we see partnerships with legislators, from local electeds on up to Congress. That’s why it’s important that conversations and decisions being made when it comes to the tech industry are not limited to one group or party but must also include community organizations and stakeholders as well as indigenous leadership.
The tech industry has the potential to play a vital role in meeting the needs of constituents, but it will take strong grassroots partnerships to see continued community and economic development which benefits all our neighbors. This requires us to view tech companies as partners — not rivals. This also requires the tech industry to open its doors to all of us and make tangible investments in the communities that they have chosen to house their offices and laboratories.
As we continue to work at the local, state and national levels, we should all be working toward policy solutions that address concerns and set the course for a better future. Pittsburgh has come a long way — and don’t get me wrong, there’s still plenty of work to be done. But our city’s amazing development shows the commitment of our citizenry to taking our community to the next level. Continuing on this path will result in a better future for all of Pittsburgh. And I do mean all of Pittsburgh.
Rep. Martell Covington, a Democrat, represents District 24, serving part of Allegheny County.