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Pitt Neighborhood Commitments

Partnerships that build stronger communities and a stronger University

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A model of civic-minded development

Efforts from Pitt send a strong tone for community participation and bring stakeholders together to talk more specifically about how we see Pitt in the community.

– Rashad Byrdsong, MA’AT Construction and Community Empowerment Association

The CEC initiative is committed to spurring economic growth in Homewood and the surrounding communities, supporting local business, and to hiring a diverse workforce. These commitments extend to the renovation of the CEC facility. The CEC served as an ideal workforce training site, supporting the employment and skill development of local labor.

A rendering of The CEC in Homewood

CEC in Homewood Features Minority and Local Participation in Facility’s First Phase of Renovation

Pitt selected Waller Corporation, a minority-owned general construction company, as the General Contractor on the project and contracted with Community Empowerment Association to recruit local laborers from Homewood and surrounding neighborhoods to be a part of the job. MA’AT Construction (the for-profit construction training and apprenticeship arm of CEA) was hired as one of the subcontractors that did interior work on the site.

Other minority-owned subcontractors working on the renovation included J&S Handyman Services, All Systems, Inc., and Nexus Construction. Minority labor involved in the CEC renovation totaled 37% of the labor force and 40% of the contracts were fulfilled by minority or women-owned businesses. This commitment to civically-minded construction will continue through the second phase of facility renovations expected to begin in December.

40%

Contracts with minority- and women-owned businesses

37%

Minority labor rate

43

Average daily full-time employees

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Neighborhood Commitments

Partnerships that build stronger communities and a stronger University

4227 Fifth Avenue
710 Alumni Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260

Homewood: 412-383-0830
Hill District: 412-383-2226

cecinfo@pitt.edu

Neighborhood Commitments is a program housed in the Office of Engagement and Community Affairs.

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The University of Pittsburgh works in close collaboration with hundreds of community partners throughout Pittsburgh.

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