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Marshall Plan for Middle America

"Mayor Peduto speaking into a mic"

The Center for Sustainable Business has been leading a cross-sectoral research team to envision a strategy for tackling the concurrent challenges of climate change, social and environmental injustice, and economic crisis. With a charitable donation and scientific support from the Enel Foundation, the Marshall Plan for Middle America (MP4MA) Roadmap aims to build a regional, multi-sectoral coalition of stakeholders to drive investment in infrastructure and energy diversification that will catalyze more equitable economic recovery while laying a foundation for the Ohio Valley (including Upper Appalachia) to be a global leader in cleaner energy resources and circular economy practices.

With the support of all key project partners — including the City of Pittsburgh and Mayor William Peduto, the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network led by Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, and Steel Valley Authority and the Heartland Capital Strategies Network — the MP4MA Roadmap lays out a strategy for regional cooperation that brings together five essential components:

(1) Reliable research and evidence to help chart the path forward;
(2) Governing institutions with identifiable infrastructure needs and community ties;
(3) Companies to invest in long-term market development and support the transition to more sustainable business practices;
(4) Capital to finance development; and,
(5) Community oversight, transparency, and accountability.

Read the Marshall Plan for Middle America Roadmap - Full Report

Read the Marshall Plan for Middle America Roadmap - Summary

 

"Marshall logo"

About the Roadmap:

The Marshall Plan for Middle America (MP4MA) Roadmap is a non-partisan, data-driven research document created through the joint scientific efforts of academic and policy researchers based at the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the City of Pittsburgh, the Steel Valley Authority, the Heartland Capital Strategies Network, and the Enel Foundation. The MP4MA Roadmap is intended to provide a platform for regional cooperation across the Ohio Valley without regard for the political party or institutional affiliation of any specific stakeholder.

Media Coverage

  • Barlow, Kimberly K. “Pitt Research Finds New Green Investment Key to Transforming Regional Economy.” Pittwire. November 12, 2020.
  • Brown, Jamael Tito, John Cranley, Ron Dulaney Jr., Greg Fischer, Andrew Ginther, William Peduto, Nan Whaley, and Steve Williams. "Eight mayors: We need a Marshall Plan for Middle America." Washington Post. November 22, 2020.
  • Davidson, Tom. “‘Marshall Plan for Middle America’ calls for billions to be spent to help Western Pa. go green.” TribLIVE. November 17, 2020.
  • Deto, Ryan. “Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto unveils a plan to help the Ohio Valley transition from fossil fuels.” Pittsburgh City Paper. November 18, 2020. 
  • Editorial Board. "A necessary plan for Middle America." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. November 22, 2020.
  • Enel Foundation. “Marshall Plan for Middle America: a roadmap to sustainable development.” Enel Foundation. November 13, 2020.
  • Fallows, James. "How to Reconnect Rural and Urban America." The Atlantic. November 25, 2020.
  • Frazier, Reid. “Peduto Touts ‘Marshall Plan’ For Appalachia, A $600B Plan To Move Away From Fossil Fuels.” WESA. November 13, 2020.
  • Frazier, Reid. “Peduto Touts ‘Marshall Plan’ For Appalachia, A $600B Plan To Move Away From Fossil Fuels.” NPR State Impact. November 12, 2020.
  • Frazier, Reid. “Pittsburgh Mayor Touts ‘Marshall Plan’ for Appalachia.” Coal Zoom. November 14, 2020.
  • Lee, Lauren. “Peduto joins mayors from W.Va., Ohio, Ky. to call for public/private support in climate-friendly industrial growth.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. November 12, 2020.
  • One News Page. “Mayor Peduto Unveils 'Marshall Plan For Middle America' Aimed At Transitioning To A Green Economy.” One News Page. November 12, 2020.
  • Pittsburgh (KDKA). “Mayor Peduto Unveils ‘Marshall Plan For Middle America’ Aimed At Transitioning To A Green Economy.” KDKA CBS 2 Pittsburgh. November 12, 2020.
  • Sanyon, Larmie. “Morgantown’s Mayor Dulaney announces support for Marshall Plan for Middle America.” 12 WBOY. November 14, 2020.
  • WESA-FM (Radio)
  • WHYY (Radio)