Bakery Square recently confirmed the development of a new SCIF facility, which representatives hope will open the door to more federal defense contracts. (Photo by Alice Crowe/Technical.ly)

By Gavin Petrone, Technical.ly

Pittsburgh could once again be a center for weapons manufacturing if all goes according to local developers’ plans.

Walnut Capital and RIDC are looking to steer the region, which was once the country’s center of steel production during World War II, toward AI and defense tech, representatives from the firms told Technical.ly. With developments like East Liberty’s AI Avenue and Robotics Row in Lawrenceville, developers aim to attract tech companies and boost real estate activity by building up office space for tech companies.

With remote methods of warfare rising in prominence, Pittsburgh has all it needs to manufacture these weapons and return to its spot as a center for wartime manufacturing, according to Joanna Doven, a strategic consultant and executive director of the AI Strike Team. 

“We have unique capabilities within our defensetech companies to answer the call around building the defense technology needed to ensure American supremacy,” Doven said.

Critics counter that building up the region often comes with the destruction of affordable housing and breaks up local communities.

Altogether, developers said, these efforts will gear the tech industry to revitalize a city that saw massive postwar losses after the collapse of steel manufacturing in the late 20th century. Revitalization means greater vibrancy, defined by various shops and businesses, mixed-use housing and art, the developers said.

(For more of the story, visit Technical.ly)

Gavin Petrone is a student at Point Park University and one of 10 Pittsburgh Media Partnership summer interns.