Gus Faucher, keynote speaker at the annual State of the Pittsburgh Economy conference, apologized “for saying last year that a recession was on the way.” Following his tongue-in-cheek acknowledgment, Faucher, PNC chief economist, said he believes the nation will avert a downturn in 2024 as well.

No one assembled at the James Rohr Auditorium at PNC’s corporate headquarters in downtown Pittsburgh Wednesday morning was disappointed.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) board this week elected Armstrong County Commissioner Pat Fabian to serve as Chair, Fayette County Commissioner Vince Vicites to serve as Vice-Chair, and Greene County Commissioner Betsy McClure to serve as Secretary-Treasurer. Commissioners Fabian, Vicites, and McClure were elected by their fellow board members to these positions, and will serve a two-year term.

The board’s new officers will shape the commission’s work for the next several years and intend to focus on workforce and economic development, transportation planning, and other initiatives like investments in broadband, water resources, attracting business investments, and expanding pedestrian and bicycle trails throughout the region.

Fayette County Commissioner Vice Chairman Vincent A. Vicites was elected vice chairman of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission for a two-year term.

With more than 60 members, including an executive committee, the SPC is a forum for regional collaboration, planning and public decision-making; focused on transportation, development, information systems and more.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission board elected Armstrong County Commissioner Pat Fabian to chair that panel for the next two years.

Fabian was chosen along with Fayette County Commissioner Vince Vicites, who will be vice-chair of that board, and Greene County Commissioner Betsy McClure, who was chosen as secretary-treasurer.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission is awarding Butler $1,545,356 in grant funding to support sidewalk and pedestrian safety improvements along downtown Main Street. This project will make improvements to sidewalks and crosswalks, and increase accessibility for both local students and residents.

“The City of Butler is a vital part of our county’s economy and Main Street is frequented by all county residents,” said Leslie Osche, chairwoman of the Butler County Commissioners. “This funding will ensure that our sidewalks are safe for not only county residents and visitors, but our local students who use it as a way to get to and from their schools downtown. This project helps to ensure that their safety remains at the forefront of ongoing revitalization efforts.”

The City of Butler will receive a grant to make additional improvements along Main Street.

Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy informed Council about recent notification from the Southwest Pennsylvania Commission concerning the awarding of a $1.5 million grant.

Dandoy credited assistance from Butler County as well as the Community Development Corporation. This money does not require any local matching funds and would be used for sidewalk repair and pedestrian safety improvements.

The numbers that Pittsburgh consultant WSP Inc. has put together estimating the funds the city needs to care for its 146 bridges are stark: $471.6 million over the next 32 years.

That includes $135.4 million for nine bridges that need immediate work, $276.3 million for 98 bridges that need extensive work by 2039, and $59.4 million for long-range projects that should be completed before 2056. Additionally, the city should start spending at least $9.65 million a year on routine bridge maintenance to reduce deterioration, the consultant said.

The National Transportation Safety Board won’t officially determine until Wednesday why the Fern Hollow Bridge collapsed two years ago, but state, local and federal officials already have made a series of changes about how bridges are inspected and maintained.

Those include the state updating inspection procedures to better flag bridges with evidence of continuing deterioration, Pittsburgh expanding its division that oversees bridge maintenance and hiring a consultant to recommend maintenance schedules and prioritize work on the city’s 147 bridges, and adding federal recommendations about how states care for bridges made with uncoated weathering steel such as the old Fern Hollow structure.

This year’s class of 30 Under 30 honorees has been selected.

30 Under 30, which the Business Times presents in partnership with Leadership Pittsburgh Inc., honors young professionals who are exhibiting strong leadership and making a difference in their organizations and communities early on in their careers.

This year’s class of honorees will be honored in a special edition of the Pittsburgh Business Times on April 19. Check back for more details about each of the honorees, which will be released in the weeks to come.

The Pittsburgh Power 100, a listing of the region’s most influential business leaders, is being presented by categories this year. Here are Catalysts.

They stand at the intersection of research, job training and economic development. Their schools and organizations lure investment and partnerships. They are helping to build the workforce of the future and the leaders of tomorrow.