Industry Insights: Powering Manufacturers Into the Energy and Data Center Future
As the demand for artificial intelligence, cloud storage, and advanced computing surges, the infrastructure required to support these technologies is transforming at breakneck speed.
Data centers—massive facilities housing servers, cooling systems, and energy storage units—are becoming the backbone of the digital economy. In Southwestern Pennsylvania, this evolution presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for local manufacturers, and Catalyst Connection is at the forefront of helping them seize it.
Petra Mitchell, President and CEO of Catalyst Connection, has spent 31 years guiding manufacturers through economic shifts. Her mission is simple: help companies grow, diversify, and create quality jobs that strengthen communities. “Our region has manufacturers that have been around for 100 years,” Mitchell says. “They’ve survived because they know how to innovate and adapt to new opportunities.”
Now, one of the most promising opportunities lies in supplying the energy and structural components that power the data center industry.
From Steel Mills to Server Farms
Southwestern Pennsylvania’s industrial DNA runs deep. The legacy of steel and metal fabrication built a base of companies with expertise in precision machining, metal enclosures, and complex system assembly—exactly the components needed to build and maintain data centers.
Catalyst Connection has identified more than 300 regional companies capable of contributing to the data center supply chain, from producing structural frames and cooling system housings to manufacturing enclosures for sensitive electronics.
This transformation is more than just about technology; it’s about geography and infrastructure. Many of the decommissioned industrial sites across the Mon Valley and other counties still offer a powerful combination of flat land, existing energy hookups, and proximity to natural gas resources. Converting these sites into hubs for data center activity is a natural extension of the region’s industrial evolution.
“Our historical strength in metals and fabrication is now a competitive advantage,” Mitchell explains. “When you combine that with our access to energy and available industrial sites, Southwestern Pennsylvania is uniquely positioned to support this new wave of digital infrastructure.”
Energizing the Opportunity
Data centers require an enormous and consistent energy supply, making the region’s energy legacy a critical asset. From coal to natural gas to emerging renewables, energy production has long been part of the region’s story. Catalyst Connection has been preparing manufacturers for this intersection of energy and technology for years through its Shale Power initiative, which connects local manufacturers to opportunities in the natural gas sector.
“We’ve helped hundreds of companies engage in natural gas production, transmission, and utilization,” Mitchell notes. “Now, the next step is connecting that energy infrastructure to data center demand.”
As natural gas facilities are modernized and some decommissioned coal sites are converted to natural gas plants to power data centers, local manufacturers are supplying the piping, housings, and other components required to keep energy flowing. Mitchell’s mantra for this regional approach is clear: “Buy Appalachian, buy Pittsburgh.” Keeping supply chains local multiplies the economic impact, creating high-value jobs in communities that once faced industrial decline.
Bridging Innovation and Industry
Another critical piece of the puzzle is the region’s unmatched R&D ecosystem. Catalyst Connection’s headquarters at Mill 19 in Hazelwood Green situates it side by side with Carnegie Mellon University’s Manufacturing Futures Institute and the ARM Institute, providing a front-row seat to cutting-edge advancements in robotics, additive manufacturing, and AI-driven production.
This proximity enables local manufacturers to access emerging technologies, partner on applied research, and recruit top student talent. Catalyst also collaborates with the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State, and West Virginia University to connect students and researchers with real-world manufacturing challenges.
By engaging with local manufacturers through internships, co-ops, and applied projects, students see firsthand that innovation isn’t confined to software labs—it’s on the factory floor.
“The combination of world-class research institutions and real-world manufacturing creates a unique advantage for our region,” Mitchell says. “Our manufacturers can be first to adopt transformative technologies and stay globally competitive.”
A Regional Play with Community Impact
Catalyst Connection’s work extends far beyond Pittsburgh city limits. The organization serves a 12-county region, helping small and mid-sized manufacturers in places like Washington, Westmoreland, and Butler Counties plug into opportunities that will define the next era of industry.
Mitchell points out that many of these communities still bear the memory of industrial decline, but small manufacturers kept a “glimmer of hope” alive. Now, the data center and energy boom offer a chance to scale those businesses, create new jobs, and even attract new residents.
The key, she says, is collaboration. Catalyst Connection works in concert with organizations like the Pittsburgh Technology Council, the Allegheny Conference, and other economic development partners to align resources, advocacy, and education. Together, they form a comprehensive ecosystem to support manufacturers as they enter new markets.
The Future Is Local—and Bold
For Mitchell and her team, the excitement is tangible. They see the convergence of energy infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and digital innovation as an opportunity not just to grow companies, but to rewrite the economic story of the region.
“When local manufacturers win in these new sectors, communities win,” she emphasizes. “Our job is to make sure they have the resources, partnerships, and knowledge to seize these opportunities. The foundation is here, and the future is incredibly bright for Southwestern Pennsylvania manufacturing.”
Connect to Resources:
A common perception among small and medium manufacturers is that advanced robotics and automation are out of reach – expensive and time-consuming implementations that are simply not a fit for their high-mix/low-volume operations. While that was the case decades ago, the ongoing industry trend to address those challenges has made that more perception than reality.
Smart Manufacturing, a facet of Industry 4.0, integrates cutting-edge technologies like IoT, big data, and system integration to enhance operational efficiency through data utilization. Amidst the vast array of technologies, pinpointing your challenges empowers you to harness these tools to optimize throughput, minimize downtime, elevate quality, and expedite decision-making using real-time data, trends, and analytics.
According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), more than 2.5 million cybersecurity incidents were reported in 2021. That represents an increase of more than five times over 2016. The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), under the department of Homeland Security, reports that while 43% of reported cyber attacks target small businesses, only 14% of those businesses are prepared to defend themselves.
Supply Chain Optimization & Supplier Scouting
Through Catalyst’s Supplier Scouting Opportunities, it connects you with qualified domestic suppliers who can meet your specific material, component, or production needs. Whether you’re responding to a supply chain gap, reshoring production, or seeking a second source, our team works to identify vetted U.S.-based suppliers that align with your requirements.