Pittsburgh Jobs picture beats National Average again

Absolutely amazing, isn't it? Even Johnny Positive isn't THIS optimistic in this economy.

The Pittsburgh region gained another 7,000 jobs last month year over year. The region's unemployment rate is at 5.4% compared to the national average of 6.1%. You can read more details in the Trib article below, but this is an interesting tidbit from it: "The increase in residential employment could be an indication people from other regions are coming to the Pittsburgh area in search of work"

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_595471.html

As a side note- in typical, negative Post-Gazette fashion, here was their headline: "Dip in jobless rate here may be shortlived". I'm not going to help them by giving the link here.

Pittsburgh's Mellon Square receives national recognition

The American Planning Association has named Mellon Square in Downtown Pittsburgh one of 10 Great Public Spaces for 2008 as part of the association's Great Places in America program, launched last year. Get more details in this Post-Gazette article.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08282/918372-100.stm

What bad economy? Pittsburgh businesses still thriving

We've heard many times about how the Pittsburgh housing market has been immune to the crisis that grips the rest of the nation. But what I think has been very under reported- especially by the Post-Gazette- is that the region's economy as a whole and the jobs outlook is much more positive than most people think and is doing much better than most regions in the country right now. While the rest of the nation comes to the realization of job losses and high unemployment, here are some of the business stories reported in Pittsburgh over the last few weeks. And again- mad props to the Trib for being the leader in reporting on this.


Pittsburgh region ranks in Top 20 in freight movement, Pittsburgh Trib, October 25, 2008

Rostraver firm to add 1,500 jobs, Pittsburgh Trib, October, 24, 2008

Pittsburgh rises as convention location, Pittsburgh Trib, October 20, 2008

Office vacancy rate drop optimistic, Pittsburgh Trib, October 19, 2008

Pittsburgh Airport mall leads nation in per-passenger spending, Pittsburgh Trib, October 18, 2008

Starkist Tuna moving HQ back to Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Trib, October 7, 2008