FEBRUARY 2012

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Committed to the Pittsburgh Region, Range Resources Cuts the Ribbon on New Regional Headquarters


What started in 2006 for Range Resources with a one-man army has grown into a regional force of more than 400 employees dedicated to the Pittsburgh region and its growing Marcellus Shale industry. And it doesn't stop there for the Fort Worth-based natural gas company. Range Resources foresees more growth on the horizon with the company's recent grand opening of a new 180,000 SF, five-story regional headquarters on 13 acres in Southpointe II Business Park in Washington County. The new facility was completed in late 2011 and houses Range's regional natural gas operations and may be one of the only natural gas companies that has all of its technical people under one roof.

Construction on the five-story building took less than a year, an indication that Range is serious about its expansion and signifies the ongoing growth of the Marcellus Shale industry in the Pittsburgh region. "They didn't just talk the talk, they walked the talk. They got involved, they went out created jobs, created wealth, and that was good for Washington County," noted County Commissioner Larry Maggi in a recent article.

Read more | Read more about natural gas in the Pittsburgh region

More Economic Development News

Google Pittsburgh Expanding & Hiring … Again, Best Place to Work in U.S., Says Fortune
"Google Pittsburgh's Bakery Square office was recognized as one of the coolest offices in the country last year … and now Google is expanding that Pittsburgh office, housed in the former Nabisco factory, adding 30,000 SF on a third floor, bringing the total size of Google's occupied presence at Bakery Square to 80,000 SF. The company hired 50 engineers in 2011 and currently employs 200 people in Pittsburgh. The expansion will be completed in February." Read more

Alcoa to Expand Western Pennsylvania Aerospace Operations
"Alcoa will build a new plant in Indiana and expand operations in western Pennsylvania to meet growing aerospace industry demand for a new type of strong, lightweight aluminum alloys. The aluminum producer will expand capacity at its technical center near Upper Burrell [Westmoreland County] so that it can produce 30 percent more aluminum lithium, which will be used in wings, fuselages and other aerospace applications." Read more

Mitsubishi Plant Coming to Beaver County, Hiring
"A railway equipment factory coming to the area this year will bring around 55 to 60 new office and factory jobs. Warrendale-based Mitsubishi Electric Power Products' new 50,000 SF facility will be located in New Sewickley Township's Tri-County Commerce Park [Beaver County] and will produce heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems for subway and commuter railway cars, using domestic components." Read more

VRC Opens Pittsburgh Office
"Valuation Research Corp., provider of independent valuation and related advisory services, is opening a Pittsburgh office and has hired Eric Wissinger to serve as its managing director. Wissinger expects to hire two experienced professionals with a financial background in valuation-related work, as well as administrative staff." Read more

GNC to Open 200 Stores Overseas, CEO Says
"GNC Holdings Inc. plans to add more than 200 stores in other countries next year and hopes to crack new markets in Russia, Brazil and the European Union, CEO Joe Fortunato said last month. The Pittsburgh-based vitamin and nutritional product retailer, which had the top-performing initial public stock offering this year, has about 2,500 international stores. GNC plans about 160 new stores in the United States, where it has about 5,000 stores." Read more

Steel Business Expanding in Lawrence County
"Harbor Steel has grown. A new 62,348 SF structure now covers the almost 16,000 SF building occupied by the steel fabricators on Route 422 in Union Township. The unique project – surrounding an existing building with a larger one – allowed Harbor Steel to continue operations through the construction phase. The company plans to hire eventually." Read more

DigiExpress – a Cost-Effective Repair Solution for Apple Products, Growing in Pittsburgh
"DigiExpress in New Kensington is building a thriving business as a cost-effective repair solution for customers. 'We focus on physical damage not covered by Apple under their warranties,' explains Dan Long, senior account manager for DigiExpress. DigiExpress was founded by Michael Polimadei in New Kensington in 2007 and … doubled in size in the last year from 12 to 30 people." Read more

Call Center Operator to Hire 100 New Workers
"TRG Customer Solutions, a company that operates call centers for other companies, said it is hiring 100 new workers for its Pittsburgh-area call center. TRG already employs about 300 workers at the call center in the RIDC Park West, a business park near the Pittsburgh International Airport." Read more

Automated Security Alert Revamps Service Department to Keep Up With Growth
"In a time when many companies are downsizing, Automated Security Alert (ASA) is growing, and the Pittsburgh-based company has had to revamp its service department to keep up with the expanding customer base. ASA has provided freedom and security since 1988 to over 60,000 consumers through the use of technology and services that enable seniors, physically-challenged persons and recovering patients to maintain an independent lifestyle in their homes." Read more

American Eagle Continues Middle East Expansion
"American Eagle Outfitters appears to be picking up the pace in its international expansion into the Middle East as the company's chairman looks to invest in new digs there. At the same time, American Eagle is considering expanding into Turkey, according to a recent article in the Hurriyet Daily News, a newspaper based in that country." Read more

Pittsburgh One of Few Cities to Recoup Jobs in 2012
"Pittsburgh is one of only two dozen cities expected to see payrolls bounce back to pre-recession peaks by the end of 2012, Bloomberg reports. Only 26 of 363 U.S. metropolitan areas are so lucky. Nearly 80 areas will not see a similar recovery for more than five years, according to a report prepared by IHS Global Insight." Read more

	LOOKING FOR DATA? Benefit from our comprehensive data and demographics information spanning regional business presence, investment, workforce and more. The PRA's Regional Data page is full of the latest information to help you make the right business decision. To discover the PRA's full range of economic development services, from site selection assistance and global business expertise to customized market research & analysis and peer executive meetings, visit www.pittsburghregion.org

Urban Innovation21, Sharing the Wealth with Underserved Communities and Hiring
"Pittsburgh Central Keystone Innovation Zone (PCKIZ) has transformed itself into Urban Innovation21 with the goal of expanding its boundaries and assisting the underserved communities of Homewood, East Liberty, Homestead and Hazelwood. Urban Innovation21 will add six to seven people to its current staff." Read more

Biggest Pittsburgh-area Commercial Real Estate Sales of 2011 Went to Out-of-Town Buyers
"After years of often being uncharted territory for large out-of-town and institutional investors, Pittsburgh's commercial real estate began seeing new interest from different kinds of buyers in 2011 as evidenced by the biggest sales for the year. The two biggest sales of the year, Downtown's PPG Place and 11 Stanwix, went to out of town investors, highlighting a trend." Read more

Plans for Station Square Soccer Stadium Revealed
"Another new sports stadium will be built on the city's riverfront. Members of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds soccer team unveiled plans last month for the construction of a stadium at Station Square. Team officials hope to have their new home, which would overlook the Monongahela River on the south shore, finished sometime this summer. They are billing the complex as a 'multi-sport stadium.'" Read more

ITRA Global & Pittsburgh Regional Alliance to Welcome International Corporate Real Estate Executives at Pittsburgh Conference
"ITRA Global, one of the largest real estate organizations devoted to the representation of corporate tenants and occupiers of commercial real estate worldwide, has announced the organization will hold its spring conference March 30-April 1 at the Fairmont Hotel in Pittsburgh. 'This will be a great opportunity to introduce the managing principals from our offices in more than 80 major markets in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia to one of the most dynamic 21st Century markets in North America,' explains Carrie Holstead, President of Carrie Holstead Real Estate Consultants, Inc. and chairman of the board of directors for ITRA Global" Read more

CMU Plan Includes Nano Tech Facility
"CMU expects to break ground on a 80,000 SF, [$70M nano-biomedical-energy technologies] building this summer and have it ready for occupancy in 2015. It will enable the university to move its biomedical engineering program from the Pittsburgh Technology Center in South Oakland to its main campus." Read more

Office Park Planned for Site Near Pittsburgh International Airport
"A 40-acre plot of land near Pittsburgh International Airport could be the site of the next big office park under a plan being advanced by two developers. Ohio-based Continental Real Estate Cos. is teaming with Chaska Property Advisors of Cranberry to erect five to eight office buildings adjacent to the Cherrington business park in Moon." Read more

Texas Firm to Build Ethane Pipeline from Southwestern Pennsylvania to Gulf
"Enterprise Products Partners LP, the largest U.S. pipeline partnership by market value, will build a 1,230-mile line to ship ethane from southwestern Pennsylvania to Gulf Coast petrochemical plants. The ATEX line will connect the Marcellus and Utica Shale formations in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio with ethylene plants on the Gulf Coast." Read more

Gas Industry Driving Jobs, Wages and Workforce Development
"After several years of besting quarterly production records for natural gas yields from the Marcellus Shale, the gas industry has made a strong impression on the local workforce scene, causing those who provide and help to train workers to take new approaches to workforce development here. The boost in employment and wages also had workforce development officials and the gas industry calling for increased emphasis on vocational education and training." Read more

Fill 'er up or Charge it? Optimus Expands the Biofuel Sector
"Optimus Technologies designs and manufactures biofueling systems for industrial and commercial clients with the help of funding from state DEP and Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities (PRCC). Optimus is working with Giant Eagle and the City of Pittsburgh to install biofuel systems in commercial and city vehicles. The company hopes to find investors to recruit and expand manufacturing operations in the coming year." Read more 

Low-Cost Carriers Save Pittsburghers Money, Study Says
"The presence of low-cost carriers at Pittsburgh International Airport led to travelers saving $92.5M in 2010, according to a study conducted by the Allegheny County Airport Authority. The airport's average fares are 8 percent below the national average." Read more

Pittsburgh-Paris Flights Return March 24
"The Delta Air Paris-to-Pittsburgh nonstop flight will return beginning March 24. The flight has been a jewel in the cap of Pittsburgh International Airport for its two years of operation. There will be four roundtrip flights from March 24 through the end of May. In June, the flights will go to five times weekly through the summer, then back to four times a week for the fall before suspension again near the end of October." Read more

Pittsburgh International Reports Passenger Increase for November 2011
"Scheduled passenger traffic at Pittsburgh International Airport year-to-date through November 2011 is 1.9 percent over the same time period last year according to the Scheduled Airline Traffic Report, prepared by the Allegheny County Airport Authority. Seven airlines reported an increase in passengers." Read more

RIDC Gets $15M in Funding
"The Regional Industrial Development Corporation of Southwestern Pennsylvania (RIDC)  received a major boost from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania last month, receiving grants and low interest loans for some of its key projects totaling more than $15M. Don Smith, president of the Downtown-based nonprofit industrial development firm, described the amount of state funding RIDC will receive as a 'huge' amount that will enable it to make real progress on some of the biggest redevelopment projects in the region as well as the state." Read more

CMU Lands Part of $3.5M Federal Grant for Transportation Research Center
"With a $3.5M grant from the Department of Transportation, Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pennsylvania are establishing a transportation research center that will look at the future of how we get around. Though CMU already does a lot of transportation-related research, this new center, called Technologies for Safe and Efficient Transportation (T-SET) will mainly be housed on CMU's campus." Read more

Acquisition Boosts Moon's RTI Metals
"Shares of RTI International Metals jumped more than 10 percent last month after the Moon titanium producer announced the $182.5M acquisition of Remmele Engineering, the latest initiative in the company's strategy to move into higher-profit markets." Read more

RE2 Lands $730K Army Robotics Contract
"Lawrenceville modular robotics company RE2 is kicking off 2012 with an Army contract that will see the company developing its first two-armed bomb disposal system. RE2 continues to grow and now takes up 17,000 SF of its building with sights set on taking more space sometime in the first half of this year. The company is looking for more engineers, a controller and expects to hire more program managers and proposal writers in 2012." Read more

Pitt Among Kipinger's Best Values
"The University of Pittsburgh ranked 29th on Kiplinger's Personal Finance's 2012 ranking of the 100 best values in public colleges, the only Pittsburgh-area institution of higher learning to make the annual list. Pitt was 29th for in-state students, where the total cost per year was $26,672, and 15th for out-of-state, where the cost was $36,080." Read more

CMU's Gates-Hillman Centers One of the Best Designs in the World for 2012
"The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has selected CMU's Gates Center for Computer Science and Hillman Center for Future-Generation Technologies as one of the nine best examples of architectural excellence and urban design in the world for 2012. The award is considered the profession's highest honor for work in the world, exemplifying excellence in exterior and interior design. The LEED-certified Gold level project was chosen for its scale, which nestled it 'perfectly within an urban campus and within a uniquely difficult site.'" Read more

CMU Joins Ion Torrent on Breakthrough DNA Genome Sequencing Research Project
"Carnegie Mellon researchers will be joining the scientific team developing a powerful DNA sequencing machine designed to sequence the entire human genome in a day for $1,000. Ion Torrent, a unit of San Francisco-based Life Technologies Corp., is creating 'doctor in a box' software that would use a patient's DNA sequence to diagnose disease and predict which therapies might be most effective or cause the fewest side effects." Read more

Portlandia, Your 15 Minutes Are Up. Long Live Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is the new "in" city according to the Washington Post. "Pittsburgh is poised to offer a new type of lifestyle. And the Steel City has its own bike routes, microbreweries, organic food markets, art and lush scenery. Pittsburgh was named one of the world's 20 must-see destinations by National Geographic Traveler in 2011 (Only one other place in the United States, Sonoma, Calif., made the list). And with its dramatic merging of two rivers, it has one of the best skylines in America." Read more

Pittsburgh Among Top 10 Most Literate Cities
"Pittsburgh remains one of the top 10 most literate cities in the United States, according to a study released last month by a professor who has been rating literate cities since 2003. Pittsburgh ranks No. 3 in the country in its library resources, No. 6 in magazines, No. 7 for newspaper publishing and tied for No. 5 in number of booksellers." Read more

Pittsburgh No. 1 "Cheapest Last-Minute Getaway"
"U.S. News & World Report has ranked Pittsburgh as the Number One place for cheap, last-minute getaways. The newspaper says the region is an 'up-and-coming' tourism hot-spot that boasts a thriving arts scene. Citing information from discount travel site Hotwire.com, those who planned a spontaneous Pittsburgh getaway saved 'a whopping 59 percent' on hotel rates, finding rooms for as low as $90 a night." Read more

Pittsburgh Among 25 Best Places For A Working Retirement
"Pittsburgh is among 25 top areas for a working retirement according to Forbes. The rankings are based from the 2011 Milken Institute's Best-Performing Cities Index. Factors include jobs, wages and salary, and technology growth. Forbes also looked at local cost of living comparisons and the median sale price of a single-family home. Forbes took into account the tax climate of the state, calculations Forbes has been making for years." Read more

EVENTS

February 9 – SAVE THE DATE: Marcellus Shale Business Opportunities Forum
This free seminar is designed to help small- to medium-sized companies learn about the many business opportunities associated with the natural gas industry. Speakers will discuss contracting and procurement policies, compliance programs, and material and service needs. Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary, the Honorable Alan Walker and Kathryn Klaber, president and executive director, Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale Coalition will be in attendance, with other key industry professionals. From 8:00 a.m.-Noon at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex (711 Pratt Drive, Indiana PA 15075). RSVPs are required and should be called into 724-465-2511 or emailed to dphenry@wpia.net.

February 9 – Manufacturing Leaders Breakfast Briefing at Eaton Corporation
At the Manufacturing Leaders Breakfast, guests will have the opportunity to learn more at Eaton Corp., a company that just celebrated its 100th anniversary, as well as tour their state-of-the-art LEED-certified facility. Eaton is a global technology leader in diversified power management solutions that make electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power operate more efficiently, effectively, safely and sustainably. Presented by Catalyst Connection from 7:30-9:30 a.m. at Eaton Corp. (1000 Cherrington Parkway, Moon Township, PA 15108). Event is free, but you must be pre-registered to attend.

February 10 – Women Business Leaders Breakfast Series featuring Christine Robins, CEO, BodyMedia, Inc.
Presented by the Center for Women's Entrepreneurship at the James Laughlin Music Hall, Chatham University, Shadyside Campus from 7:30-9:00 a.m. BodyMedia, a local health device company, has found a way to build a focused, compelling strategy that took a single product and leveraged it for significant year-over-year growth. It has been able to funnel a strong heritage with compelling new innovation to be a leader in the health monitoring space. Now led by Christine Robins, CEO, BodyMedia has delivered on the corporate promise to "Know your body. Change your life." Cost is $25.

February 16 – NAIOP Pittsburgh Chapter Meeting - Transportation Update
Join NAIOP Pittsburgh for a transportation update featuring Steve Bland, CEO, Port Authority; Brad Penrod, CEO and executive director, Allegheny County Airport Authority; and Dan Cessna, District 11 Executive, PA Department of Transportation at the Omni William Penn Hotel from 7:30-8:00 a.m. Cost is $40 for Non-Members. No charge for NAIOP members. RSVP is required.

February 16 – Emergency Medical Planning: A Civilian and Military Partnership
Hear from Daniel J. Fisher, COL (Ret), assistant chair for Administration and Operations, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh as he reviews aspects of the military-civilian collaboration required to plan for medical contingencies that may arise during national security special events. Presented by the University of Pittsburgh Center for National Preparedness from 3:00-4:00 p.m. at Alumni Hall, Room 532 on Pitt's campus.

February 17 – African American Chamber of Commerce Power Breakfast
Join the African American Chamber of Commerce at the Rivers Club beginning at 7:30 a.m. to learn from Michael Lamb, controller, about the city's fiscal health and procurement opportunities. Cost is $20 for Members/$30 Non-Members.

February 21 – GBA Emerging Professionals Host – GBA Strategic Plan Launch and Happy Hour
From 5:30-7:30 p.m., join the Green Building Alliance for a casual evening of local beer and wine with Executive Director Mike Schiller as he shares the new strategic plan and the new direction for GBA. From different programs to broad community challenges, there are a lot of new things in the works around green buildings at the GBA. Besides learning about the new strategic plans, GBA will be offering tours of its LEED Platinum offices. Cost is $5 for Members/$10 Non-members.

February 23 – Catalyst Connection Board of Directors Annual Manufacturing Reception
From 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Heinz History Center, the evening will begin with networking and self-guided tours of the Heinz History Center followed by a presentation and awards reception. Sponsored by Buchanan Ingersoll Rooney, NorthEast Energy Advisors, Ideal Integrations, the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance and KFMR. Cost is $50.

February 24 – Women in Leadership Series: Nancy Wolk, Chief Information Officer, Alcoa
Join the Pittsburgh Technology Council from 7:00-9:15 a.m. at the Rivers Club as Alcoa CIO Nancy Wolk details the key roles information technology plays in supporting this industrial giant's internal business processes and how it drives strategic growth plans. Alcoa is the world's leading producer of primary and fabricated aluminum, as well as the world's largest miner of bauxite and refiner of alumina. Cost is $45 Member/$175 Non-Member.

March 1 – NAIOP Pittsburgh Annual Awards Banquet
Join NAIOP Pittsburgh for its annual awards banquet at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center beginning at 5:15 p.m. Cost is $125 for Member single seating; $1,000 for Member table of 10; $150 for Non-Member single seating; and $1,250 for Non-Member table of 10. Call Leo Castagnari for more information at 412-928-8303.

April 30 - May 3 – 2012 Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) National Meeting
The 2012 national meeting of the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) will be held in Pittsburgh from April 30-May 3, at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel. Each year, the meeting draws over 400 attendees, including federal laboratory and agency technology transfer professionals, patent attorneys, licensing professionals, technology marketing organizations and other related professionals, as well as state and local government staff and businesses interested in technology transfer, partnering and the commercialization of federal laboratory innovations and technologies. Early bird registration (through March 2) is $645.