PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh was chosen as one of President Joe Biden’s new tech hubs in May. On Wednesday, the First Lady Dr. Jill Biden’s first opportunity to see how the investment is making a huge difference in our region.
The Tech Hubs were authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, a key part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which he signed into law in August 2022.
These Tech Hubs are located across 32 states and Puerto Rico and represent a cross-section of urban and rural communities.
“Companies are growing, jobs are coming back, unemployment is at record lows, buildings are going up,” Biden said.
Biden praised the work of President Joe Biden and cited the unemployment rate falling below 4 percent for the longest stretch in 50 years.
Chosen for its growth in manufacturing and innovation in robotics and clean energy, Pittsburgh is using the funds to spur jobs for those who may have once been left out.
“I think the best way to break down poverty is to provide a skill set that gives people the ability to lead and not create barriers, but remove barriers to them being able to access jobs,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey.
And the hub is focused on four areas: infrastructure, advanced manufacturing-like robotics, high-speed internet and clean energy. During a roundtable discussion with the first lady, union leader Darrin Kelly announced that the region has 1,500 shovel-ready projects underway as of Wednesday afternoon.
“This is investing in our number one resource, which is our people,” Kelly said.
So what’s next? Along with new projects, jobs and technology, there is already more training for the next generation through the Partner 4 Work apprenticeship program.
“Now the organization will train new pre-apprentices to build at three other sites in Pittsburgh,” Biden said.
While the Pittsburgh hub is already well underway in the coming weeks, the Biden administration plans to visit other hubs and select cities.
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