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RAND: 'Think Pittsburgh'

Rock Airport is just one of many stories unfolding in Pittsburgh. Most of the steel jobs that once formed Pittsburgh's economic backbone are gone, but the city's not complaining.

In fact, it's reinvented itself as a high-tech and medical center, with a thriving downtown area, clean air and new football and baseball stadiums under construction along its famed riverfront (see sidebar).

RAND -- the world's largest and best-known "think tank" -- is the latest organization to establish a major facility in the Pittsburgh area. It thought Pittsburgh an ideal choice for its fourth major global office, which will create 200 or more jobs within five years.

"RAND's selection of Pittsburgh shows yet again that more and more CEOs are looking to Pennsylvania when they decide to expand," Gov. Ridge says. The state will provide RAND some $2.5 million in financial assistance.

"The fundamental driver of our decision is that Pittsburgh offers proximity to so much talent and to so many leading universities, research laboratories, foundations and large corporations," RAND CEO James Thomson says. "Our goal is to collaborate with them all up and down the line. I want to thank Gov. Ridge for his personal involvement in making this project a reality."

In other big moves, Marconi Communications plans to expand its world headquarters in suburban Warrendale, creating about 1,000 jobs. Marconi is a global provider of high-performance communications solutions that help companies and service providers plan, build and operate their voice, video and data networks.

Gov. Ridge's "dedication to technological growth in Pennsylvania helped make our plan for expansion a reality," company CEO Mike Parton says. "We've definitely become partners in progress."

Marconi's headquarters is currently housed in four buildings, covering 461,000 sq. ft. (43,000 sq. m.). Plans call for two more buildings that will bring total square footage to more than 670,000 (62,200 sq. m.) and enable the firm to expand its engineering, research and development and customer support functions.

In suburban Lawrence, Black Box Corp.'s expansion will create 300 jobs and retain another 600. Founded in 1976, the firm -- headquartered in Lawrence -- is a leading worldwide technical-service provider of computer-communications and networking products and services.

"Speaking for all Black Box team members, we thank Gov. Ridge and his Action Team for their investment in Black Box," says company CEO Fred C. Young. The state's $1.4 million financial assistance package includes Customized Job Training and Job Creation Tax Credits.

In nearby Charleroi, Corning Consumer Products Co. has upgraded and expanded its manufacturing plant, creating 42 new jobs and retaining 350. "Gov. Ridge is committed to partnering with companies and local officials on projects that make Pennsylvania a better place to live and work," Secretary McCullough says. The state is assisting Corning with a $1.1 million package.

"This project is a true win-win for all involved, since it allows us to strengthen our commitment for the Charleroi area, as well as to continue to effectively compete in a highly competitive industry," says company President and CEO Peter F. Campanella.