United States State Department Visit to Enterprise Zone

(12/07/2017) - On Friday, December 1, 2017 Enterprise Zone Corporation representatives welcomed three professionals from Russia along with United States State Department representatives to the Enterprise Zone. The tour was arranged by Global Pittsburgh which coordinates foreign visitors to the area.

The Russian participants are engaged in economic development in their cities. They were invited to the United States under the auspices of the Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program for a 21 day project. Pittsburgh is the final city in the group's itinerary; they are also visiting Washington, D.C., Cleveland and Reno. The themes for the project in Pittsburgh are: the role of civil society organizations in economic development and the redevelopment of formerly industrial areas.

The Russian visitors were:

-Ms. Olesya Deryabina, Head, Regional Branch, All-Russia Public Organization of Small Businesses

-Mr. Evgenii Borisovich Kovalev, Co-owner and Partner, Ryazantsev Law Firm

-Ms. Giuzel Sibagatulina, Head, Minyar City Administration

The Enterprise Zone representatives attending were Julie Grose, Enterprise Zone Board Member and Enterprise Zone Administrators Amy and Chuck Starrett.

A luncheon meeting was held at Portogallo Peppers N'at followed by a tour of Phillips Tank & Structure of Braddock. The Enterprise Zone representatives discussed Enterprise Zone activities over the past 31 years and the new EastShore initiative to promote the Enterprise Zone communities of Braddock, North Braddock, Rankin and Swissvale.

Global Pittsburgh representatives reported the visit of the Enterprise Zone was very successful and one of the highlights of their trip.