Advocacy Panelist Dennis Yablonsky

Yablonsky

"We would not be where we are today—a stable, balanced regional economy, a skilled, qualified workforce, and world-class innovation talent and potential—without the leadership and vision of our universities during some of the most difficult economic times this region had ever seen. ...

The economic impact of the University of Pittsburgh is measurable and can be felt throughout our regional economy. According to the most recent data available, Pitt employees, students visitors, and the University itself made more than $1.74 billion in expenditures in the local economy in FY 2008.

One of the primary impacts that Pitt has had on our region is educating and preparing our future workforce. A qualified, skilled workforce is critical to the economic growth of businesses already located here and a top requirement for businesses looking to expand and/or relocate here. On average, nearly three-quarters of Pitt graduates live and work in our Commonwealth, with 42 percent of them doing so in the Pittsburgh region. ...

Over the past 15 years, the University of Pittsburgh has become a leader in technology transfer, with more than 2,300 invention disclosures, more than 440 patents received, 685 licenses executed, and 80 start-up companies formed."

—Dennis Yablonsky

Yablonsky is CEO of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.