Hunh.

http://www.duluthport.com/99summer/ussgreatlakesfleet.html

Pittsburgh has some massive similarities to the Great Lakes cities. Depends on how you define the Great Lakes region, I think; if the definition includes those cities that are part of the Rust Belt, you’ve got yourself a perfect fit.

Even if Pittsburgh isn’t part of the Great Lakes region by anyone’s definition, there’s a lot to be gained by working with the neighbors, finding out what’s working towards building the regional economies, and everyone heading in the right direction together.

My friends from south of the Mason-Dixon line think of Pittsburgh as the North.

My friends in Boston think of Pittsburgh as the South.

My friends in DC think of Pittsburgh as the Midwest.

My friends in the Midwest, Southwest, and Northwest consider Pittsburgh East Coast.

Pittsburgh, as my anecdotal amateur polling has indicated, is someplace else, apparently. It’s Yonder. It’s solidly in the Rust Belt, as it’s industry fell apart in the 80’s.

As one thing it has moreso than the other cities you’re discussing, it has a huge amount of intellectual capital; perhaps a fifth of the city is involved with the various universities and colleges. Instead of attracting investment for new blue collar industries… it seems that Pittsburgh’s future may be tied to a combination of white collar industry and a low cost of living in a city with major amenities and low crime.