June 2007 Archives

By Carl Kurlander

What changes a city?
How do you build a thriving economic sector? What tilts a city at a tipping point to live up to its full and glorious potential?

Lions Gate producer John Dellaverson is a Hollywood bigshot. A University of Pittsburgh alum who is still in touch with his New Castle roots, he came to town last month to speak to my students at Pitt and also meet with people eager to create a film business here. John talked with Gov. Ed Rendell and other leaders about the need for film tax incentives, because those who work in the industry know -- while they seem like an indulgence to many citizens -- they're absolutely essential in the cutthroat, migratory film business.

But while John confirmed the enormous benefits of these incentives to a regional economy, he knew that this was only part of creating a sustainable, thriving entertainment industry.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07175/796457-109.stm

By Joseph Sabino Mistick
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Here is cause for hope. Throughout American urban history, money and economic development have followed the arts. And in this realm, Pittsburgh is a blank canvas that welcomes the flourishes of all comers.

Our government structure remains flawed in a systemic way that can only be corrected by major reorganization. Pittsburgh's pension debt alone is enough to drive our sunniest citizens into the doldrums.