A unique asset boosts economic turnaround in Pittsburgh region
RIDC has long played a role in Pittsburgh’s economic evolution, and it will continue to have a hand in shaping its future. A unique asset boosts economic turnaround in Pittsburgh region – Pittsburgh Business Times Even though RIDC acquires challenging properties that often require environmental remediation, infrastructure and other capital investment, it consistently produces tangible […]
A future of growth for the Mon Valley
Recent controversy over the proposed sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel has shone a light on the Mon Valley, its people and the economic challenges the region’s faced over the decades and will continue to face if more heavy industry leaves. But it’s important to remember that even if those jobs are saved, that […]
Two Rivers, 30 Minutes Podcast: Why we need a Mon Valley action plan
RIDC President Donald F. Smith, Jr. on Tube City Almanac’s Two Rivers, 30 Minutes Podcast, discussing why the region needs a Mon Valley action plan as well as what RIDC does help to revitalize brownfield sites in Western Pennsylvania. Listen here.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg visits RIDC Mill 19
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg visited Carnegie Mellon University’s Safety21 facilities at RIDC Mill 19 in one of his final stops as Transportation Secretary. RIDCers Tim White and Ellie Ezzell Zytka were in attendance.
Carnegie Robotics and Thoro.ai execs Embrescia and Mondi talk about company growth, revitalization of Lawrenceville
“To know the history of our company and how it interacts with RIDC, you have to know the history of Pittsburgh robotics,” said Carnegie Robotics Chief Development Officer Mike Embrescia. “When John Bares started Carnegie Robotics [in 2010], it was essentially in a trailer.” Patrick Mondi, CEO of Thoro.ai talked about the dual purpose of […]
RIDC’s Don Smith: Economic development benefits from catalytic projects
“Taking these old buildings and repurposing them, bringing them back to life can take a lot of years and a lot of hard work,” said RIDC President Donald F. Smith, Jr. “That’s one of the reasons RIDC exists, because for for-profit developers, they can’t invest the money and carry that investment until it pays off […]
RIDC Mill 19: a stunning backdrop for Car and Driver Magazine’s review of the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage & Porsche 911 Turbo
“In their quest for speed, the Aston Martin Vantage and Porsche 911 Turbo are constantly reinventing themselves. We stage their latest showdown in Pittsburgh, a city that knows a thing or two about embracing change.” Many of Car and Driver Magazine‘s featured shots were taken outside RIDC Mill 19, a symbol for Pittsburgh’s past, present, […]
RIDC: An engine of economic growth for communities and the region
Which economic development organization in Southwestern Pennsylvania is responsible for active projects that currently support more than 8,000 jobs? Which economic development organization in Southwestern Pennsylvania is responsible for projects that now are a source of more than $200 million in income taxes and $20 million in property taxes? It may surprise some readers to […]
RIDC: Strategic Catalytic Development Revitalizing the Pittsburgh Region
Against the backdrop of historic Mill 19 at Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood Green, a property once owned by Jones and Laughlin Steel Company, Don Smith, president of RIDC, addressed the importance of strategic catalytic development in revitalizing the Pittsburgh region. Smith, together with Mike Embrescia, chief development officer of Carnegie Robotics, Patrick Mondi, CEO of Thoro.ai and […]
RIDC Mill 19 Next to New Neighbors
New photo of RIDC’s Mill 19 with its Hazelwood Green neighbors: Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Innovation Center (right) and University of Pittsburgh’s BioForge (left).
National Economic Council Director visits RIDC Mill 19
RIDC’s Mill 19 hosted National Economic Council Director Lael Brainard for a roundtable discussion on the region’s economy. Pictured: PNC CEO William Demchak, National Economic Council Director Lael Brainard, RIDC President Don Smith, RIDC Senior VP Tim White. Pictured: Allegheny Conference President Stefani Pashman, PNC CEO William Demchak, National Economic Council Director Lael Brainard, and […]
Innovation Accelerators an Important Part of the Economic Growth Cycle
Successful long-term economic development strategies often proceed on multiple tracks, leveraging the resources and assets available throughout a region to grow a multi-faceted job base. Gov. Josh. Shapiro’s plan to invest $500 million in site development is one such strategy. Job-creating companies are being lured to other states with impressive incentives. If we don’t have […]
RIDC Mill 19 Wins 2024 World Landscape Architecture Merit Award in Large Landscape Design
RIDC Mill 19 won a 2024 WLA Merit Award in Large Landscape Design! The 2024 World Landscape Architecture Professional Awards celebrate the pinnacle of design excellence, innovation, and sustainability in landscape architecture and received over 250 entries from over 40 different countries. From urban parks and green spaces to restorative ecological projects, the entries reflect […]
Creating jobs in the Mon Valley: A Decades-Long Effort Bears Fruit
When RIDC acquired the former Westinghouse campus in Turtle Creek 35 years ago — intent on renovating the decaying buildings and revitalizing the abandoned site — it was the first in a series of moves over decades that have transformed several old industrial sites and provided homes for job creating companies in the Mon Valley.
Blooming from Blight: Earth Day Spotlight on Green Redevelopment in Pittsburgh
Across the Pittsburgh region, there are historic industrial sites that, while abandoned and left to blight after the fall of steel and other industries, have since been brought back to life, redeveloped and revitalized into homes for companies that are driving the innovation of today. Giving new life to old structures is in and of […]
Governor Shapiro Visits RIDC Mill 19 to Discuss New Economic Development Plan
RIDC President Donald Smith kicked off Governor Shapiro’s visit to Mill 19 today where he discussed his new economic development plan and was joined by numerous regional leaders lending their support. Media Coverage: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Gov. Shapiro visits Pittsburgh to outline investment priorities in state economic development plan Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Editorial) – Editorial: Shapiro […]
Flurry of Activity Around RIDC’s Mill 19, a Centerpiece for Hazelwood Green’s Revitalization
RIDC Mill 19 serves as an important proof of concept project, being both a pioneering development on site, but also an example of the power of great buildings in attracting great companies. It also showcases the importance of partnerships, with critical contributions from Richard King Mellon Foundation and Carnegie Mellon University enabling the project to move forward. “Build it […]
First Lady Jill Biden Visits RIDC Mill 19, Discussing Workforce Development
First Lady Jill Biden was at RIDC Mill 19 today to discuss the region’s workforce development efforts with Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and U.S. Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su at RIDC Mill 19. Earlier this year, Pittsburgh was named one of five “workforce hubs” in the country. RIDC Mill 19 tenant Advanced Robotics for […]
RIDC Mill 19 Wins Metropolis Innovation for Best Adaptive Reuse Award
RIDC Mill 19 wins Innovation for Best Adaptive Reuse award in Metropolis Magazine’s 2023 Planet Positive Awards.
A Sweet Tenant: RIDC’s Rooftop Hives in Hazelwood Give Bees a Home
On top of Mill 19, a couple thousand honeybees are buzzing.
Smith’s Viewpoint: Where Will the Next Phase of Job Growth Take Place?
When RIDC built Mill 19 at Hazelwood Green, we viewed it as a project that would have a catalytic effect on the undeveloped portion of that site and, ultimately, an economic impact that would benefit the community and the region as a whole. We’ve achieved some important milestones thus far, and more activity is in […]
