Press & Media
Fourth Economy employs a team of researchers, analysts, and practitioners who have worked in economic development agencies, industry, non-profit organizations, and tier-one research institutions. Our team's expertise includes equitable economic development, economic mobility and resiliency, innovation economies and entrepreneurship, labor and workforce development, housing, infrastructure, and more.
If you are a journalist seeking a source on any of these or related subjects, please reach out - we'd be happy to connect!
Fourth Economy
PO Box 81620
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Leadership
Rich Overmoyer | President and CEO | Bio
Jerry Paytas | Vice President, Research and Analytics | Bio
Sally J. Guzik | Vice President, Strategic Initiatives | Bio
Pia Bernardini | Vice President, Operations | Bio
Media Contact
Press Releases
In the News
Jul 18, 2023
Robots in the backyard: $62.7 million grant is fueling Pittsburgh's tech economy
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recognizes Fourth Economy's Economic Impact Report, Robots in the Backyard (2021), that found the $8 million to $10 million invested in Carnegie Mellon University's National Robotics Engineering Center has since returned $545 million in direct funding in 2020 dollars.
May 18, 2023
Island Looks at Solutions for Housing Crisis
In 2018, the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce retained Fourth Economy to create and manage implementation of a five-year strategic plan for a regional economic development organization. In May, Grow Smart RI and the Aquidneck Land Trust at Innovate Newport hosted a forum featuring input from municipal planners in Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth, RI, housing policy organizations, and researchers looking for ways to combat concerning trends. Chris Worley, Senior Consultant at Fourth Economy, spoke about the disconnect between housing development and workforce growth and the impact that will have on attracting and maintaining a core cluster of essential workers.
Apr 28, 2023
NPF Grant Supports Park Partner Developing New Strategic Plan
Fourth Economy is working with the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and community stakeholders to create a strategic plan to attract a larger and more diverse audience to the Music Center, improve and expand programming, and build financial sustainability and operational efficiency. The Blue Ridge Music Center showcases the living musician tradition of the region and has the potential to create even greater cultural and economic impact. This work is made possible by funding from the National Park Foundation's 2022 Strong Parks, Strong Communities grant program.
Mar 9, 2023
The road to rent stability
The Rochester Beacon recognizes Fourth Economy's assistance with the Rental Vacancy Rate Study alongside Mullin & Lonergan Associates Inc., and Highland Planning LLC. After all of the surveys were processed, the contractors had data on 245 properties, or 37 percent of those considered appropriate. With that information, they estimated that the net vacancy rate of Rochester’s ETPA-eligible rental properties was 9 percent, too high for the city to adopt the ETPA and institute rent stabilization.
Mar 8, 2023
How the Health Department aims to create a Healthier Allegheny
In collaboration with the Allegheny County Health Department, community organizations, and county residents, Fourth Economy supported the development of the community health assessment and the newly-released community health improvement plan. The project included data analysis and visualization to update the county’s health indicators for physical, behavioral, and environmental priority health focus areas.
The plan was created under the guidance of Dr. Debra L. Bogen, the former ACHD director who is now the acting secretary of health for Pennsylvania.
Feb 23, 2023
Prosper Birmingham introduces Operation: Backing Black Businesses
Prosper, a Birmingham-based nonprofit, has launched Operation: Backing Black Businesses, an initiative connecting Black entrepreneurs and business owners in the Birmingham area to the resources they need to thrive.
In early 2022, Prosper tasked Fourth Economy with examining the ecosystem supporting Black-owned businesses, including its participants, strengths, weaknesses, and areas of opportunity for investment and impact. Strategic partners included IGNITE! Alabama and LRY Media Group.
Jan 23, 2023
Allegheny County releases 5-year health plan
The Allegheny County Health Department released a five-year community health improvement plan to make the county a healthy place to live, work, learn, and play.
In collaboration with the department, community organizations, and county residents, Fourth Economy supported the development of the community health assessment and the newly-released community health improvement plan. The project included data analysis and visualization to update the county’s health indicators for physical, behavioral, and environmental priority health focus areas.
Nov 16, 2022
Pennsylvania outdoor economy experts explain how recreation and job growth go hand-in-hand
NEXTpittsburgh highlights Fourth Economy for hosting the Promising Practices of Outdoor Recreation Economies webinar that brought together five outdoor recreation experts from across the Commonwealth to explore how the outdoor economy can aid both environmental stewardship and economic resilience.
Aug 5, 2022
Rhode Island Announces $2.9 Million in Placemaking Grants
Fourth Economy's Rich Overmoyer contributed to grant writing that secured $88,358.64 for Event Programming that Newport County Development Council will use to deliver a range of one-day to series events including hosting the Aquidneck Growers Market, Broadway Street Fair, and Outdoor Art Biennial Exhibition.
Aug 3, 2022
Berks Commissioners Adopt IMAGINE Berks Strategic Economic Development Action Plan
The Berks County Commissioners formally adopted IMAGINE Berks, the Strategic Economic Development Action Plan prepared by Fourth Economy for the County. This plan identifies key principles that are intended to guide all suggested investments and action steps within the plan, as well as six priority areas: Business & Industry Growth, Small Business & Entrepreneurship, Infrastructure & Land Use, Talent & Economic Mobility, Housing, and Placemaking.
Aug 2, 2022
Jefferson Regional Foundation Announces New CEO
Fourth Economy Client, Jefferson Regional Foundation, has appointed Trisha M. Gadson, Ph.D. as its new Chief Executive Officer. The foundation maintains assets of over $107 million and is dedicated to investing in the health and vitality of the communities served by Jefferson Hospital in the South Hills and lower Mon Valley of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Jul 13, 2022
Riverlife Leads PA Waterfront Development Tax Credit Expansion
We are excited to see our work continue to make an impact. In 2016 Fourth economy helped design the Waterfront Development Tax Credit to spur private investment and a more formal recognition of our waterfront assets. This expansion will pay great dividends to the Commonwealth.
Jun 21, 2022
Artworks Gwinnett Kicks Off Year-Long Arts and Culture Master Plan
Working with Lord Cultural Resources, Fourth Economy is supporting the development of Gwinnett County (GA)’s first ever comprehensive Creative Economy Master Plan. The plan aims to promote arts and culture resources as an engine of growing the County’s economic and cultural prosperity.
Jun 15, 2022
Prosper’s Black Ecosystem Report and the Impact on Businesses in Birmingham
Fourth Economy has wrapped up our work with Prosper Birmingham on this ground-breaking report intended to shed light on the area’s Black-owned business ecosystem. The Black Ecosystem Report is one of three pillars under Prosper’s Black-Owned Business Acceleration initiative. We are looking forward to this work leading to solutions for Black business owners in Birmingham.
Jan 31, 2022
PA Municipalities Consider Using ARPA Funds for Outdoor Recreation
In 2021 Fourth Economy worked with the York County Economic Alliance to develop an Economic Development Plan which identified a set of priorities, action and implementation plans, and identified a number of potential initiatives and funding sources. The plan identified "investment in trails, public spaces, and other outdoor recreation amenities" as a catalyst for economic growth.
