Community & Economic Development

The PHDC Business Incubator project supports Community and Economic Development by advancing the economic and housing opportunities of an underrepresented demographic group, increasing economic activity in neighborhoods ready for transition, and by building the capacity of neighborhoods to carry development forward. Sustaining and accelerating the growth of the Pittsburgh region can only be accomplished through the promotion of diversity and racial equity.

We Are In Beechview!

The Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation (PHDC) has no geographic boundaries but has chosen Beechview as the site of its first projects for a number of reasons. Primary among them is its burgeoning immigrant business and residential population and its key transportation infrastructure in the form of the PAT light rail. By catalyzing development and development capacity in Beechview, PHDC will strengthen the region by encouraging an inflow of population and investment.

Beechview has long been the destination for a growing number of Latino immigrants and business owners. However, their integration into the community has been slow and resources to accommodate their housing needs and entrepreneurial goals have been virtually nonexistent. Part of the problem lies in the absence of a coordinated community and economic development strategy and the lack of the capacity to formulate and implement such a strategy. Property values remain low and vacancy, particularly in the neighborhood's commercial spaces, remains high. The Port Authority light rail line with multiple stops throughout the residential and commercial heart of Beechview provides enormous opportunity to catalyze development.

The PHDC incubator is unique, since it includes intercultural tutoring and training for our entrepreneurs. This advice and training is an important component in the success of our companies doing business in the United States. For example, PHDC will offer its services in Spanish and Portuguese in addition to English. There are already several Hispanic organizations present in the Incubator, including LACU and COESA. These organizations promote, preserve and enrich Latin American cultures by raising awareness and appreciation for the cultural, social and economic aspects of the community in the Pittsburgh area.