PITTSBURGH, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development announced Thursday a $3.32 million investment aimed at supporting the revitalization of downtown Pittsburgh through a partnership with the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership over the next six years.
What This Means for You
- Businesses that contribute to downtown revitalization projects may receive state tax credits.
- Investments will support cleaner streets, small business storefronts, and expanded outdoor dining in Market Square.
- Officials say the funding is part of a broader plan to strengthen Pittsburgh’s economy and attract residents and visitors downtown.
The funding is being distributed through Pennsylvania’s Neighborhood Assistance Program, a state initiative that offers tax credits to businesses that financially support community improvement projects.
State officials said the investment will help the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership continue efforts to improve public spaces, support small businesses, and expand economic activity in the city’s Golden Triangle district.
“The Neighborhood Assistance Program is a powerful tool that encourages businesses to reinvest in their communities, continuing the incredible momentum happening here in downtown Pittsburgh,” Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger said.
How the Investment Works
The $3.32 million investment includes $522,500 in initial tax credits through the program’s Neighborhood Partnership Program, the first installment of a six-year commitment totaling $3.135 million in state support.
Businesses including Tri State Capital Bank, KeyBank, Dollar Bank, Huntington Bank, UPMC Health Plan, Duquesne Light Company, and Mascaro Construction Company will collectively contribute about $3.3 million during that period to support the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s programs.
Those programs include cleaning sidewalks and alleyways, assisting individuals experiencing homelessness, and helping small businesses open storefront locations downtown.
A second portion of the investment includes $184,500 in tax credits for companies supporting the redevelopment of Market Square, a project expected to cost about $15 million.
The Market Square project will create a new outdoor dining district, which state officials say will more than double the existing outdoor seating capacity for restaurants and increase foot traffic in the area.
Part of Broader Downtown Revitalization Plan
State officials said the funding is tied to a larger 10-year plan launched in 2024 to improve Pittsburgh’s downtown core.
The plan aims to expand housing, improve public safety, and revitalize public spaces in the Golden Triangle through cooperation between government agencies, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.
According to the state, the effort has already attracted nearly $600 million in combined public and private investment.
Projects underway include improvements to Market Square, Point State Park, and Arts Landing, along with several mixed-use development projects expected to add or preserve nearly 1,000 residential units in downtown Pittsburgh.
Officials said the investments are also expected to generate more than 3,500 construction jobs over the next four years.
Local Leaders Support Investment
Jeremy Waldrup, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, said the program will help expand ongoing revitalization efforts.
“Here in Pittsburgh, reinvention isn’t some distant goal, we’re living it right now,” Waldrup said. “Through strong public and private partnerships, we’re seeing real progress in the form of cleaner streets, active storefronts, and stronger communities.”
Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato and Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor also voiced support for the investment, saying a thriving downtown is important to the region’s broader economy.
Next Steps
The revitalization efforts are expected to continue through the next several years as projects tied to the state’s investment move forward.
Officials said improvements to Market Square are expected to be completed ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, while additional housing, business, and public space projects continue across downtown Pittsburgh.
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