After talking today with the Riverhounds Director of Promotions and Entertainment and hearing from Pitt Intern Liz, I understood more of what it means to be a true community partner. Though the Riverhounds do not draw as voluminous crowds as the Steelers/Pirates, they direct a huge amount of focus and funds towards local business partnerships. They prioritize space for these Pittsburgh establishments to promote themselves, even with limited stadium acreage. In this way, the organization acts as a community facilitator, linking corporations with small businesses in a shared partnership.

One of our most productive meetings thus far was our coffee chat with Elissa DiNello, Allegheny County’s Business Development Manager. She provided valuable insight regarding ways we could accrue funds directed toward small businesses to help Carrigart’s economy. A few such ways included looking into government grant funding, identifying a “champion” community member to spearhead fundraising efforts, and creating a town scavenger hunt of sorts to encourage participation in multiple Main Street businesses. I was constantly writing notes during this meeting, as Ms. DiNello’s experience very much spoke to the work this team hopes to do in Ireland. As we fly out on Sunday, this chat came just in time!