Public-Private Institutions and Advanced Technology Development in Southwestern Pennsylvania

Abstract

Southwestern Pennsylvania has experienced a significant transformation in its economic base in the past few decades with the decline of its traditional manufacturing industries. In the 1980s, the region has evolved a strategy that supports high technology; and the private sector—particularly the smaller high technology companies—the universities, and the state have provided the leadership. The large corporations, operating through their primary civic agency, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, and local government have been supportive, but they have not exerted a leadership role. In this article we discuss Pittsburgh's regional strategy and analyze the organizations created to carry it out. We show that new leadership has been the key to creation of a wide variety of partnerships that have supported the development of advanced technology throughout the region.