Hey everyone, Tom Frank here, Executive Director of NAIOP Pittsburgh. This morning, I had the pleasure of attending the 2026 Pittsburgh Regional Alliance (PRA) & NAIOP Pittsburgh Real Estate Breakfast, an event we proudly partner on and sponsor with the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance. What a way to start the year… great coffee, even better conversations, and a room full of folks buzzing about the future of our region. Let’s dive into the highlights.
First off, a huge thank you to the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance for inviting us to partner on this fantastic event. Special shoutouts to Matt Smith, Patty Horvatich, Jordan Jasper & the PRA team for hosting and making it all happen seamlessly. And let’s not forget Point Park University for graciously hosting us in their beautiful space at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.
To kick things off, Mayor Corey O’Connor took the stage, and it was refreshing to hear his updates straight from City Hall. He dove into the TRID (Transit Revitalization Investment District) they’re developing with the URA, which has us all excited about smarter urban growth. Plus, his first executive order on permitting reform? Game-changer material.
We’re especially grateful that the Mayor’s team has engaged NAIOP Pittsburgh throughout the process thus far. Collaboration like that is what will keep Pittsburgh moving forward. A quick nod to Steve Wray and Mary McKinney Flaherty from his administration, who were there representing the push for economic growth in our region. Their presence reminds us that big things happen when everyone rows in the same direction.
Next up was Panel 1, focusing on Business PA and PA Sites. We heard from Justine Belyus, Executive Director of Business Marketing at BusinessPA; Ali Doyle, Managing Director of Business Attraction at BusinessPA; and Ryan Emerson, Director of Grants at the PA Department of Community and Economic Development. The panelists broke down the PA Site Search website, strategies for attracting businesses to our area, and the ins and outs of the PA Sites Program. It’s always eye-opening to see how these tools are putting Pennsylvania, and especially our corner of it, on the map for new opportunities.
Then it was my turn at the mic, and I couldn’t help but share the palpable enthusiasm rippling through our industry right now. For the first time in a while, we’ve got real alignment between state and local governments. Both administrations are all-in on economic development, streamlining permitting, and creating a pro-building environment. I highlighted our advocacy work, like teaming up with the Mayor’s crew on those permitting reforms, pushing for enhancements to the governor’s SPEED Program, and urging the state to bolster the PA Sites fund with more funding overall, plus a fairer share for the western side of Pennsylvania. I wrapped up my time by touching on our ongoing energy legislation efforts, noting that “speed to power” is one of the biggest hurdles we’re facing in the region. But hey, we’ve got ideas for rural industrial programs that could turn that challenge into a win. It also set the stage perfectly for the next panel, featuring our own NAIOP Pittsburgh Board member Brian Temple.
Speaking of which, the second panel brought together NAIOP Pittsburgh Board Member Brian Temple, NAIOP Pittsburgh Past President Jim Scalo, and Mike Brady of Liberty Energy (who’s also lent his expertise to our energy legislation). These gentlemen zeroed in on the Fort Cherry Development, which tied right back to the first panel since Brian’s company, Imperial Land Corp, snagged funding from the PA Sites Program. Mike Brady shared how, in partnership with Range Resources, they’ve implemented an on-site microgrid at Fort Cherry. This is a prime example of innovative energy solutions meeting real-world development needs. It showcases practical, forward-thinking stuff that had the crowd nodding along. Jim Scalo also spoke to the development’s progress as an owner of a phase 1 parcel and to the strengths of its location, noting that sites with access to surrounding amenities have greater potential for growth and opportunity. He concluded the panel by saying “the industry sees optimism returning to CRE in 2026 and heaven in 2027.”
Wrapping the event up, Matt Smith brought his signature optimism to the stage, tying together the threads of the morning. He emphasized that alignment between state and local governments is key and painted a bright picture for Pittsburgh’s future. It’s hard not to leave feeling pumped after hearing that kind of vision.
On a personal note, advocacy has always been at the heart of what we do at NAIOP Pittsburgh. Today was a fun reminder of our chapter’s legacy. We had Past Presidents Jim Scalo and Lou Oliva in attendance, who, in collaboration with other Board Members of that time, championed the missing ramps project back in the 1990s, one of our chapter’s earliest advocacy wins.
Fast-forward to now, and under the leadership of current Chapter President Nate Phillips, Immediate Past President Brandon Snyder, and President-elect Alyssa Kunselman, we’re making serious headway on initiatives like the SPEED Program, energy legislation, and local permitting reforms.
It was awesome to see so many of our NAIOP Pittsburgh Board and Committee Members at today’s event, too. Board Members: Jackie Bezek from JLL, Tyler Noland from PenTrust, and our lobbyist David Caliguiri from C&G Strategies. And Committee Members: Tom Baughman from Chicago Title, Chris Cooper from PJ Dick, Paul Messineo from Allen + Shariff, Dom Broglia from ARCO Design/Build, Matt Smith from Triad Engineering, and Pat Byrne from Merus. You all make this chapter the powerhouse it is. Thanks for showing up and keeping the momentum going!