OAW Blog

  Promoting diversity is both a challenge and an opportunity for the tech sector as it expands outside Silicon Valley and other traditional tech hubs. One America Works sought the expertise of Dr. Quintin Bullock, President of the Community College of Allegheny...

Most people know Columbus, Ohio as the home of the world-class Ohio State University and the seat of government in the state. But as one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., many are discovering that the Arch City has much more to offer. In the 21st century,...

Once upon a time, the office was considered a must for conducting a productive business. Actually, it was considered the default, the only possibility for much too long. As the economy has grown into the 21st century, so has the discussion for new ways of conducting...

As the tech industry has expanded across the country, most of the energy that surrounds the sector is overwhelmingly positive and glamorous. However, that’s not always the case. While local officials and companies may talk of all the positive trends for job growth,...

Kansas City boasts a robust cybersecurity industry, employing nearly 7,000 people. This tech sub-sector continues to flourish in KC thanks to unique geographical positioning and an excellent talent pool, including the FBI regional HQ office, U.S. Army’s Combined Arms...

Three rapidly growing tech hubs across the US competed in a one-of-a-kind event where cities pitched talent in a competition hosted by One America Works. These thriving tech economies - Pittsburgh, Columbus and Indianapolis - are all striving to appeal to an audience...

On the heels of the pandemic and as many people continue to adapt to the new world, many are facing the decision of where they’d like to advance their personal and professional goals. A place to call home. This can include young professionals, hoping to move to a...

Three rapidly growing tech hubs across the US competed in a one-of-a-kind event where cities pitched talent in a competition hosted by One America Works. These thriving tech economies - Pittsburgh, Columbus and Indianapolis - are all striving to appeal to an audience...

On the heels of 2020 and mass lockdowns across the country, most employers had to overhaul their business models and restructure their workforce. As communications and the bulk of operations transitioned to online, it became clear that a distributed and diverse...

Three rapidly growing tech hubs across the US competed in a one-of-a-kind event where cities pitched talent in a competition hosted by One America Works. These thriving tech economies - Pittsburgh, Columbus and Indianapolis - are all striving to appeal to an audience...

If Austin can crack the code to substantial growth without compromising quality of life, it is primed to become the next big tech hub rivaling San Francisco. Quality of life is the single biggest factor in attracting and retaining tech workers, and cultivating it is...

Matt McQuade, Managing Director at OneColumbus, joined One America Works’ Kit Mueller for an interview on The Bridge. Together, they discussed the ecosystem in Columbus, Ohio - highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. One Columbus was originally formed as Columbus...

It’s no secret that airports stimulate the global economy as they create pathways for tourism, goods, and services to interlink around the world. Equally important is an airport’s ability to stimulate the local economy where it is situated. This is because it creates...

It may not be the first thing that comes to mind every time you use ApplePay to buy your coffee or Venmo your friend for booking that rental, but by doing so, you are participating in one of the most revolutionary innovations of our time. And, more likely than not,...

With innovative companies across the country working to supply the growing demand for expansive telecommunications infrastructure, Dallas is quickly becoming a Telecom Tech Hub. The Dallas-Fort Worth metro area houses several telecom-related companies, like MetroPCS,...

Long known as the home of the Indy 500, Indiana is building its own tech ecosystem by investing in talent development, diverse workforces and Indianapolis tech companies. Colleges Producing Tech GradsThe city known for corn and race cars has experienced a quiet, yet...

During this year’s online SXSW conference, entrepreneur, investor, and author Jonathan Quarles participated in a fireside chat with One America Works Founder Patrick McKenna. Their virtual session was titled “Making Dollars While Making Change” and the conversation...

Prior to the rise of remote work, companies tended to focus their hiring on talent that was located near the office. Location bias has long been an issue for tech companies that has stunted their ability to access qualified candidates and a larger talent pool. Now at...

Scaling your company is almost like planting a seedling. Its surroundings play a large part in whether it grows or collapses.  When your company is in a time of transition, choosing the right ecosystem can be a make-or-break decision. Choosing the right local for your...

One America Works recently hosted a conversation about hiring with a distributed perspective for community and business leaders that are responding to the continued changes in the economy and workplace. There were a lot of insightful comments from the discussion, and...

Tech hubs across the US are growing and many are home to strong ecosystems that support startups and growth companies. However, not every city has a central repository of resources showing entrepreneurs and tech leaders where to build their networks, obtain...

As a whole, the tech sector has attracted some of the best innovators to create solutions for some of society’s most pressing challenges – things like communication, transportation, sales and product management.  At the same time, tech disrupted an often-overlooked...

Finding talent for your business is hard. As your business grows, it is important to find the right people to help take your company to the next level. Yet, the tech industry is a competitive market for recruiting and retaining talent for the long-term. To expand your...

The pandemic has shuttered entire industries, and put into sharp contrast companies which can pivot and grow in the face of a shutdown. As of late August, 180,000 retail businesses have closed - 60 percent of which will be closed permanently - and others friendly to a...

Chicago, the city with a skyline like no other, is also home to some of the most exciting innovations in the tech industry. Tech companies are surging in from the west coast and the ones already established in Chicago are booming. Chicago’s centralized location makes...

Most people think of the big tech powerhouses as coastal cities like San Francisco, New York, and Seattle. However, at One America Works, we know there is a lot of innovation and economic success happening in cities all over the country. The Research Triangle is a...

Companies across the globe are extending work from home privileges, considering employee feedback in designing return-to-work plans, and re-imagining offices altogether. Notably, some major tech companies like Twitter recently announced permanent remote work options...

In recent years, the landscape of Austin, Texas has changed. While it’s long been known for a vibrant live music scene, today the city boasts immense growth with creative talent, an impressive skyline, and some of the foremost tech leaders. It’s quickly becoming a...

After the pandemic shutdowns in March of 2020, companies of all sizes from across the country have faced tough decisions about how, or even if, they would survive. Thousands made cuts or closed altogether. However, so many others have responded with innovative ideas,...

In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution created the rise of the “boom town.” These were cities, often on the West Coast, where entire economies and urban housing complexes seemed to spring up almost overnight. Today we’re seeing the development of a new type of...

COVID-19 has flipped the tech job market on its head, and many tech workers have found themselves suddenly out of a job. The Wall Street Journal reports that close to 70,000 tech startup employees have lost their jobs since March. Large companies weren’t immune to the...

Tech recruitment around the country has been transformed by the global pandemic and other trends. Hiring managers work from home, and virtual recruitment is now the norm. Many companies are shifting to new digital platforms that can accommodate an entirely remote...

The COVID-19 pandemic may have accelerated a trend that was already underway: the dispersal of tech workers from coastal hubs to smaller cities throughout the country. “This pandemic has stretched the fabric that was already tearing,” Aaron Bolzle told the New York...

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred widespread changes in the way companies function. As large numbers of employees work from home worldwide, many businesses are managing the transition to a fully distributed workplace. While many of these adjustments are temporary for...

In 2012, entrepreneur David Cummings arrived in Atlanta with a plan: to create a business community that would foster tech startups in the city. Cummings’ idea has transformed into the Atlanta Tech Village, a tech incubator complex in the neighborhood of Buckhead....

One America Works hosted its second virtual recruiting event on July 22nd. After the success of the first event in May which focused on Pittsburgh companies, Columbus tech companies decided to use the virtual recruitment model for their own talent recruiting efforts....

Right now, there is a trend toward remote work due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. This newfound flexibility is having many folks think seriously about exploring new cities or even relocating completely. Moving to a new city is an exciting, life-changing decision....

Expanding to a second location can have major advantages for your business—from untapped markets and fresh talent pools to a more vibrant company culture. If you’re thinking about opening a satellite location or even a major headquarters, doing careful research into...

We are all familiar with the world’s most visited website. Google has become an integral part of life in the last few decades. In an effort to expand, the company moved into New Albany, just outside of Columbus, Ohio with a new data center. The project is already...

Pittsburgh, known locally as the “Steel City”, has undergone some significant changes in recent decades with the decline in steel-related and other manufacturing businesses. Yet, the city has redefined itself and staked impressive claims in innovation, especially in...

Phoenix, Arizona is an oasis amidst its arid, desert climate for tech giants and new entrepreneurial businesses. Home to 130+ startups and the Phoenix Innovation District, is it a hotbed of tech-focused organizations, as well as home to a young, diverse workforce....

Many businesses have taken on new challenges in the last few months, and many have found creative ways to stay innovative and inspired. Social distancing, remote work, and quarantining became the norm. Businesses pondered what the future would look like and then...

If the COVID-19 pandemic has you worried about your career trajectory and financial future, you are not alone. We know that among nearly 500 tech companies, there are more than 60,000 employees being laid off. Additionally, there are millions of others looking for...

When people think of Salt Lake City, they may picture a glowing metropolis nestled between breathtaking mountain views. It’s certainly known for its mountain getaways and ski trip destinations. However, Salt Lake City has been not-so-quietly attracting tech startups...

When most people think about Nashville, they envision watching country stars at the Grand Ole Opry or enjoying Tennessee barbecue. This city’s rich history and depth of music is indicative of a diverse sea of talent, and it expands beyond the folk lyrics and harmonies...

It may come as a surprise that women in technology careers in Kansas City, Missouri are likely to make more money than their male colleagues. In fact, estimations show that women with tech occupations earn 2% more than men. Because of this, Kansas City has earned a...

Cities all over the Midwest and the country are going through changes, finding their unique identities amid an ever-changing, tech-focused economy. St. Louis is no exception to this trend and has created an environment ripe for innovation. The economy in this growing...

Columbus, like many mid sized American cities, is concerned with mobility. Studies have deemed Columbus the fastest-growing city in the Midwest, and this is only aggravating deeply rooted problems with congestion, disconnected neighborhoods, and steep single occupant...

For a city whose name is often associated with sports, Indianapolis has surely built a name for itself as a Midwest tech hub over the last ten years. Look beyond the motor speedway, basketball courts, and state-of-the-art football stadium, and you’ll see the blue...

When considering a career change, or even when starting your first job, it’s important to consider the cost of living in your new city. Salaries are typically indicative of what an area’s cost of living is, and depending on the market, that might be higher or lower...

The closure of the steel mills in the 1970s and 1980s in Pittsburgh was reflective of the U.S. economy moving away from localized mass industry, and towards automation and investment abroad. It left an economic hole in many cities that once had booming heavy industry...

A bus filled with investors from the likes of First Round Capital, Bloomberg Beta, 1517, Lightspeed Ventures pulls into Pittsburgh. The group looks around - many have never been to the Steel City. It's a lot less steel and a whole lot more green than what they...

Work no longer has to take place in a single office. We are lucky enough to live in a time where there are enough tools to help us expand locations and still feel closely connected to our peers. But, even though company expansion is easier than ever, it's vital to...

If you are lucky enough to be born and raised in Pittsburgh, it won’t take much convincing to tell you how great our city is. Those who enter Pittsburgh through the city’s famed Fort Pitt Tunnel are treated to one of the most spectacular views of the city and it’s...

The United States has the largest and most dynamic economy in the world, yet many cities around the country are not experiencing the growth effects of a booming economy. That’s where One America Works comes into the picture. One America Works is dedicated to reintegrating the US economy by connecting growing companies and cities to identify new growth opportunities.