A. **Regional Collaboration Fuels Economic Growth**
B.
The region is known for its commitment to collaborative efforts, fostering a spirit of partnership between businesses, government, and community organizations. This approach has been instrumental in driving economic growth and creating jobs. The region’s success is rooted in its ability to leverage its strengths and address its challenges. It has a strong industrial base, particularly in the steel and manufacturing sectors.
* **NEC Embraces a New Era: From Products to Services**
* **NEC:
* **Website Update:** NEC is launching a new website to serve as a central hub for all opportunities. * **Shift in Focus:** This move signifies a transition from solely focusing on product sales to offering a broader range of services.
* The project aims to de-risk robotics adoption in SMEs by providing them with the necessary resources and support. * It will establish regional Innovation Accelerators to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among SMEs and research institutions. * The project will strengthen manufacturing resilience and global competitiveness by promoting the adoption of robotics and automation technologies.
: A $12 million grant to bolster Pittsburgh’s robotics ecosystem by supporting startups through seed funding and scaling up manufacturing, positioning the region as a global robotics leader. Expanded Pathways to Entrepreneurship, led by InnovatePGH: A $6.9 million program to increase minority and women-owned business participation in the robotics industry, offering academic fellowships and entrepreneurial training to underrepresented populations. Boosters boast that their strength is funding existing entities, so credible work can get done quickly. Each has pushed out examples of their work. Now, they’re aiming to grow the work faster. To do that, the NEC is kicking off this marketing campaign that will run the remaining two years of the grant, into late 2026. The purpose of that program is to amplify the projects’ success stories to encourage others to participate.
Technical.ly will be highlighting the stories of individuals who have successfully transitioned from traditional jobs to advanced manufacturing roles. These individuals will be featured in articles, videos, and social media posts, showcasing their journeys and the impact of the programs. The goal of this initiative is to inspire and empower individuals to pursue careers in advanced manufacturing.
The goal: That more residents benefit from the program. The thought: Deeds have started, now get the stories out — and that will change the narrative.
