Mission Statement

To be a comprehensive opportunity resource center for businesses and communities in Western Pennsylvania with unique tools to foster the creation of new enterprises, the rapid commercialization of innovations, and the expansions of existing businesses.

Vision

To be a leader in the transformation of the region to an entrepreneurial culture and spirit.

About RCI

The North Side Civic Development Council (NSCDC) has changed its name to Riverside Center for Innovation(RCI) to better reflect its mission and focus. Incorporated in 1964, NSCDC served Pittsburgh’s North Side as a traditional community development corporation. Projects included housing, small commercial real estate, and neighborhood advocacy.

In 1992, NSCDC opened Riverside Commons Innovation Center which marked the beginning of the transformation of the organization to an exclusively economic development provider. In 1999, NSCDC joined with the SBA to establish a Business Information Center at Riverside. This highly regarded facility provided a broad range of services to small businesses and serves most of Western Pennsylvania. To date, some 3,000 clients throughout the region have used the BIC. As a result of the Centers service area, RCI also now serves most of SW PA and, is therefore, no longer restricted to the North Side.

To streamline the message that we really mean business, primarily start-ups, the Board of Directors named the agency Riverside Center for Innovation which, currently includes the following services:

• Incubator Services
• Entrepreneurial Services
• Special Services
• Loan packaging
• Business Plan Training
• Business Counseling
• Brownfield Environmental Assessment Services
• Pennsylvania State Enterprise Zones

Help Start-Ups

Riverside Center for Innovation is pleased to offer FREE Training Classes for displaced workers in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Anyone interested in starting your own small business are invited to attend a series of training class beginning in April, 2008.

New Business – New Beginnings is a 10 week training session on basic, intermediate and advanced business topics resulting in a creation of complete business plan. This training program is sponsored by Riverside Center for Innovation, a leader in the transformation of the Southwestern Pennsylvania to an entrepreneurial spirit and culture.

Training classes will begin on Monday, April 7, 2008 at Riverside Center for Innovation in its state-of-the-art conference room and computer lab. Space is limited to 15 people. The registration deadline is April 3, 2008. To register, call 412-322-3523 or online at www.riversidecenterforinnovation. Participants will be required to take an assessment test to determine suitability for operating a small business.

In This Site

We've included in this Web site information about some of the services available at our Center. Below are the main services available. However, you'll never realize the full spectrum of benefits (and business contacts) until you use the Center. Visit us any time and we'll show you around.

The RCI Business Incubator Complex
RCI offers lower-cost (but super-cool) office space and support services, creating a "work tank" that benefits all tenants. The flexible contract arrangements, productive office environment, and shared support services help the tenants foster and grow into successful companies.

Diversity Business Resource Center
The Diversity Business Resource Center is a privately funded facility that's free to use, and packed with valuable business resources, business software, training materials and even consultants that can benefit any business.

Special Services
The management team at RCI has extensive personal experience in Commercial Real Estate transactions and Business Plan preparation. Contact them to find out how they can help you.

Great Business Resources
Check out this unbelievable group of business resources that can save any business thousands of dollars. You'll find business guides, forms, contracts, and agreements that are sure to move your business forward faster.

Business Events Calendar and Registration
Check this section out to see if there are any upcoming seminars, training sessions or business events that can benefit you.