Pittsburgh: Preparation and Participation for the Win
The city of Pittsburgh is a finalist for this year’s City Accelerator project, which is focused on helping cities promote economic equity.
The city of Pittsburgh is a finalist for this year's City Accelerator project, which is focused on helping cities promote economic equity.
You can help select this year's City Accelerator participants! Check out the cities' pitches, and then let us know which ones you think should be a part of this important program by giving them a star rating and leaving your comments below!
You have the option to view the pitch full screen here for optimal viewing, but be sure to return to this page to give it a star rating and leave comments below!
What is the city proposing?
Using the City Accelerator process, Pittsburgh would like to focus primarily on implementing two critical pre-bid tools: 1) Vendor Outreach Marketing and 2) Joint Venture, Teaming, and Mentor-Protégé Relationships. Their second goal is to build a library of sub-prime contractor lists of minority-owned businesses that can be readily available as large projects come down the pike, increasing participation from minority businesses.
VIEW OTHER CITY PITCHES
- Baltimore
- Boston
- Cleveland
- El Paso
- Houston
- Kansas City
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- Newark
- Philadelphia
- South Bend
For a detailed description of the mission and purpose of the City Accelerator’s cohort on promoting economic equity, click here.
Public response is one of several criteria being used by the City Accelerator to select cohort cities. The number of ratings or comments by themselves do not determine final status or selection.
Shirley Merriman
On: 05-16-2019Great city
Shelly
On: 05-16-2019Moving Pittsburgh forward🎉🎉
Sam A
On: 05-15-2019Pittsburgh has yet to implement the procurement study from 4 years ago, or the City Accelerator step study from 3 years ago. Do those first
Emma
On: 05-15-2019Fostering mentor-protege relationships between more established contractors and newer ones has been proven to be effective at the federal level. Launching a similar initiative in Pittsburgh is building on that record of success, and is also unique to smaller cities.
Emily
On: 05-14-2019There's a lot to be done in Pittsburgh, but there's enough potential here to do it. Making sure our minority businesses succeed is the first step. Because, as we know, what helps our minority businesses, helps us all!
Justin
On: 05-14-2019This grant would be a great help in advancing the hard work our city and neighbors have put in towards creating a more equitable city. A much needed endeavor.
Janelle Smith
On: 05-14-2019There is a lot of work to be done in Pittsburgh, and this is a great opportunity to move another step forward in the right direction.
Denise
On: 05-14-2019Great pitch
Gina Winstead
On: 05-13-2019Pittsburgh presents a unique opportunity to turn the tide in our region. Let's do this!
Anonymous
On: 05-13-2019Pittsburgh would be a great fit for this project.
Kim MacNeil
On: 05-13-2019Great Job!!!
chris
On: 05-13-2019Here we go!
Lindsay
On: 05-13-2019Exactly what Pittsburgh needs!
Heidi
On: 05-13-2019thumbs up
Nancy
On: 05-13-2019Let’s bring Pittsburgh up to speed with this great possibility
Melinda
On: 05-13-2019Many realistic, actionable proposals that other cities can replicate.
greg f
On: 05-13-2019great city lots to do
Gail
On: 05-13-2019A great proposal
Joy
On: 05-13-2019This project will help small businesses grow and make sure progress is felt for all instead of the few.
D. Madden
On: 05-13-2019Pittsburgh is Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Patty P
On: 05-13-2019After seeing the statistics on how few veterans gain contracts in Pittsburgh, we definitely need to rework systems and processes. With the extremely high number of veterans we have here, we need to do a better job of giving them opportunities after they have served their country (and many are still serving in the Reserves or National Guard). They should be rewarded for their sacrifices. This proposal/pitch is timely for our area and worthy of selection.
Scott
On: 05-13-2019great initiative, let's do this!
Edward Green
On: 05-13-2019The Pittsburgh City Accelerator would be a tremendous transformation for minorities to having a fair opportunity in building this "A Most Livable City" as those in the past have contribute. The City Accelerator with its unique approach, work not only in the community, but has the making as a model other cities across this nation will emulate. This city, my town, has this unique character, cultural interest, and most importantly community involvement with sustainable vision for the future to come.
Machelle stewart
On: 05-13-2019Very exciting
Lisa
On: 05-13-2019Sign me up for this please
Asa
On: 05-13-2019Good campaign idea
Sean
On: 05-13-2019100% on board for this
Jay
On: 05-13-2019Go pittsburgh
Noel
On: 05-13-2019💛🖤💛🖤💛
Gary Harper
On: 05-13-2019Way to go Pittsburgh! Always ahead of the curve.
Jim
On: 05-13-2019Great
Sylvia
On: 05-13-2019Great ideas in this presentation
Mike
On: 05-13-2019👌🏾👍🏾
Adam
On: 05-13-2019Helping minorities will help our city
Marshall
On: 05-13-2019This is a long time coming
Anonymous
On: 05-13-2019So much progress
Martha G.
On: 05-12-2019I’ve lived in Pittsburgh for over 50 years. Seeing the City continuing to make strides to make things more open and transparent is amazing. Glad to call Pittsburgh my City.
Matt
On: 05-12-2019Love to see this kind of progress from my hometown
Ryan
On: 05-12-2019Cool ideas
Sara
On: 05-12-2019❤️❤️❤️❤️
Jules
On: 05-12-2019Fabulous
Tess
On: 05-12-2019This would be awesome
Ellen
On: 05-12-2019Sounds good
Ash
On: 05-12-2019Great ideas from a great city
Sam
On: 05-12-2019Good luck. You deserve this👍
Justin
On: 05-12-2019Pittsburgh is always on the cutting edge
Mary
On: 05-12-2019More diversity will make Pittsburgh an even better city!
Jake
On: 05-12-2019Go pgh!
Anonymous
On: 05-12-2019They should be selected into the cohort
Nick
On: 05-12-2019Would love to have this mentor program available!
Ahmed
On: 05-12-2019🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Anonymous
On: 05-12-2019This would be a great pair with the City’s new office of equity! great timing!
Lindsey
On: 05-12-2019Great ideas
Tj
On: 05-12-2019Awesome
Cindy
On: 05-12-2019Great to see the City is wanting to diversify their vendor pool!
Steve
On: 05-12-2019The bridges are in horrible shape the roads have pot holes . The city neighborhoods are littered with abandoned homes and lots and the city is overall in need of repairs. Let's just fix the problems it does not matter about which group or demographic fixes the problems just fix them.
Shirley Merriman
On: 05-12-2019Such a nice family atmosphere.
Deb H.
On: 05-12-2019⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Love Pittsburgh! Great idea
Susie
On: 05-12-2019👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Kelly Schleicher Osuanah
On: 05-12-2019Fantastic!
Nan Cooley
On: 05-12-2019Great city! Excellent plan !
Leslie Kelder
On: 05-12-2019Fabulous!
LizLuehrman
On: 05-12-2019Love Pittsburgh!!! Great plan!!
Marco
On: 05-12-2019Can’t wait for this!
Bob S.
On: 05-12-20195stars
Jon
On: 05-12-2019Sounds great!
Brandon
On: 05-12-2019The city could definetly benefit from this. Their plan is well lain out in comparison to practically all the other cities.
Marcy
On: 05-11-2019The rest of the cities seem to have vague plans but Pittsburgh has a clear vision of what they want to do. Good luck Pittsburgh!
JA
On: 05-11-2019Great work by Pittsburgh
Matt
On: 05-11-2019The city is in desperate need of something like this! Please choose Pittsburgh
Shelly
On: 05-11-2019After such a sad/rough year for Pittsburgh, this would be amazing! Pittsburgh strong
Holly
On: 05-11-2019Fantastic progress - thanks for all you are doing to promote equity and inclusivity
Anonymous
On: 05-11-2019Great city and moving in the right direction
Anonymous
On: 05-11-2019This is exactly what PGH needs
Rachel
On: 05-11-2019Sounds amazing!
Christine Bethea
On: 05-11-2019Glad to see the city’s commitment to a diverse group of vendors continue!
Chris
On: 05-11-2019Great step moving forward in positive direction!
Mike T
On: 05-10-2019This was an easy vote to make! All things going in the right direction. Vote 5 stars!!!
J.O.
On: 05-10-2019Pittsburgh is going through a “construction boom” likely to last for the next years. An initiative like this would help maximize the tools and resources available to increase minority business participation.
Christine
On: 05-10-2019Pittsburgh has so much going for it, we just need to make sure it's accessible to everyone!
DB
On: 05-10-2019Concise case made for important work. Pittsburgh - "...if it's not for all, it's not for us".
Anonymous
On: 05-10-2019A great plan to ensure that government investments are leveraged to benefit all Pittsburghers.
Emily
On: 05-10-2019As Pittsburgh becomes more and more diverse across a variety of metrics, it becomes more and more important for our city to embrace, celebrate, and honor the variety of business owners who are helping to grow our local economy by providing them with a more equitable opportunity to win contracts with the City and grow themselves.
Katie
On: 05-10-2019Inclusivity is so important. I think this initiative is a great step forward.
Deb C
On: 05-10-2019Impressive project that could have very clear benefits for the City and its residents.
Connie mccaslin
On: 05-10-2019Pittsburgh deserves this!
Janet K. Manuel
On: 05-10-2019By implementing these initiatives will definitely assist with the “Roadmap to Inclusive Procurement” and set the City apart by ensuring “Inclusivity” is all encompassing.
Victoria Snyder
On: 05-10-2019A great way to find companies that need the most support as MWDBEs.
Dave Tinker
On: 05-10-2019Making the bidding process more accessible for business owners who historically have been overlooked is good government.
Pam Vogel
On: 05-10-2019Go Pittsburgh, we need to be on the forefront of inclusive procurement!
Darlene Watson
On: 05-10-2019I am so excited for my City of Pittsburgh.
Karina Ricks
On: 05-10-2019Building a business ecosystem. Great!
Mica Lee Williams
On: 05-10-2019I'm really pleased to see the mentor-protege prong, as well as the focus on inclusion of minority-owned businesses. Yes. I think Pittsburgh is the perfect place for this initiative.
Ida McIntyre-Johnston
On: 05-10-2019👍
Ida McIntyre-Johnston
On: 05-10-2019Sounds like an awesome plan!
Melissa
On: 05-09-2019Great to see that the City and administration are ready to tackle such a large issue. Good luck and can't wait to see how this works out!
Ed Pikula
On: 05-09-2019A no brainer!
Dave
On: 05-09-2019Comprehensive and diverse outreach is key to any competitive procurement.
Mark
On: 05-08-2019da best for da burgh
Flore
On: 05-07-2019Increasing minorities participation is a necessity and the existing system needs further improvement to truly become inclusive. Some progress was made but more work is needed. This grant will help.
Sandy Burkett
On: 05-07-2019As a Native American/Woman Owned business concerned with improving business opportunities for diverse businesses, I am happy to see this plan. I sincerely hope that it comes to fruition. Pittsburgh is growing in so many ways, this is needed!
Wayne
On: 05-07-2019A Solid plan, that should be implemented
James
On: 05-06-2019The City of Pittsburgh needs this!! This will be fantastic!
Jess Nordquist
On: 05-04-2019Sounds like a well thought out and inclusive plan.
Kim Bode
On: 05-02-2019Looks like a great way to solve a complex problem
Rick
On: 05-02-2019It's great that the City of Pittsburgh is taking strides to improve their procurement processes to allow more diverse businesses to have an equitable opportunity to build capacity and to receive contracts on all levels.
Nick
On: 05-02-2019Streamlining this bid process seems like a good way to cut costs and be more efficient. Two things city government, and any business, really needs.