A business that originated in Beaver County is redefining what it means to be green — in every sense of the word.
PittMoss recycles cardboard and paper products destined for the landfill, turning them into a high-performing growing media sold to garden centers and growers around the world. In addition to repurposing paper waste, PittMoss also avoids extraction of peat moss, which is found in traditional soil blends. Peat moss is mined from peatlands, important ecosystems that trap twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests.
Since its launch in 2018, PittMoss has won accolades from gardening experts, including two spots on Better Homes and Gardens’ list of top potting soils.
The company plans to expand its offering to other product lines, such as animal bedding, at a hyper-local scale.
The 10-county Pittsburgh region brought in about $3 billion in capital investment during 2021 across 215 deals, indicating the region’s economy is on the rebound across multiple sectors.
That’s according to the Pittsburgh Region Business Investment Scorecard, the only regional view of investment and job activity that’s captured in one place.
A resurgence in manufacturing and an uptick in distribution centers have joined tech and robotics and life sciences as key economic drivers. The region saw 39 new business attractions or relocations, nearly double the 21 from 2020.
Duolingo, Sheetz, DoorDash, 3M, Aurora and other companies have all either launched new engineering offices or expanded existing footprints, the report said.
“I can say with confidence that Pittsburgh’s tech sector isn’t a secret anymore. It’s become a globally renowned hub for innovation, particularly in robotics and (artificial intelligence), and it’s fitting that we’re here at Locomation today because this company is a perfect example of the types of businesses that are flourishing here in Pittsburgh.”
Acting Secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development Neil Weaver at a May 23 event highlighting how Pennsylvania’s investment in tech development companies has driven innovation across the state
