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Happy December!
As 2025 winds down, we’re closing the year with this last update from Office of Nighttime Economy, your liaison in the City of Pittsburgh.
Below you’ll find six grant opportunities, updates on the 2026 NFL Draft and important City, State, and Federal news—plus two great webinars we think you’ll want to catch.
Here's to a safe, happy and profitable holiday season,
See you in 2026!
Cheers,
Allison Harnden & Bret Kunash
Office of Nighttime Economy (ONE)
| | CMU STUDENTS MOVING NIGHTTIME ECONOMY FORWARD | | For the last several months The Office of Nighttime Economy has engaged a student team from Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College. Their capstone project “Understanding and Strengthening Pittsburgh’s Nighttime Economy,” culminated in a final presentation of findings on December 9th. | | We are incredibly proud of the team for their dedication, depth of research, and attention to detail. We’re excited to dive deeper into their findings and explore how their work can help shape the future of Pittsburgh’s nighttime economy. | | Left to Right: Bret Kunash, Oren Cohen, David Auth, Clarice Ann Bagsic Santos, Allison Harnden, Ruyang Nie , Mukesh Bastola | | |
NFL hosts “How to Do Business with League Partners” workshop
Members of the 2026 Draft Source Program got their first chance to meet, face-to-face, with NFL reps.
Read the article here
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Stay informed on the 2026 NFL Draft programing by downloading the ONE PASS app.
Whenever news drops you'll be the first to know.
| | The Immaculate Collection is an effort to clean and beautify the region ahead of the NFL Draft and beyond. | | City, State & Federal Updates | | |
O'Connor Community Survey
"Pittsburgh stands at an exciting moment. As our city prepares for its next chapter, Corey O’Connor wants to hear directly from you—the residents, community leaders, business owners, and neighbors who care deeply about this place.
Sharing your ideas and insights on the ten topics below will help shape the city's priorities moving forward."
Take the survey here
| | Updates to Mobile Vending Are Coming | | |
The proposed updates to Pittsburgh's vending program were officially approved in November. Thank you to everyone who completed a survey, attended a meeting, shared expertise, and helped shape this legislation!
The new licensing program will take effect when PLI publishes new Rules and Regulations and the OneStopPGH system is updated with the new license and permit applications.
More details on this program’s implementation coming soon. Keep apprised on the City's Small Business Resource Page
Questions? Send a message to the new Vending Inbox: vending@pittsburghpa.gov
| | IRS Releases Guidance on No Tax on Tips and Overtime Pay | |
Treasury, IRS provide guidance for individuals who received tips or overtime during tax year 2025
The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service issued guidance for workers eligible to claim the deduction for tips and for overtime compensation for tax year 2025.
For more information click here
| | City Bag Ban + Recycling Refresher | | Winter Restaurant Week 2026 is 1/12 through 1/18 | |
Deadline to register is December 31st
A restaurant must complete the online registration form and submit timely payment to appear on the listing of restaurants and on the participating restaurant map.
| | City of Pittsburgh Small Business | |
Small Business Resources
This page links to information from the City and our partners that can help connect small business to resources, funding, technical assistance and more. These pages address common questions small businesses face in launching or expanding in Pittsburgh.
Check out the updated page here
| | Small Business Assistance in PA | | Engage with the SAFE Bar Network - Train, Refer, Facilitate: | | |
The SAFE Bar Network is a hospitality-led nonprofit that facilitates conversations around proactive customer service skills to have better, safer (and more profitable!) spaces. We bring customer-facing/FOH teams together for a 1 hour conversation about noticing and pivoting uncomfortable situations in alcohol-service spaces.
www.safebarnetwork.org
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Security of Soft Targets and Crowded Places Resource Guide
Get ready for the large crowd with this resource from Homeland Security.
Click here to download the PDF
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What Is the Communal Dining Emergence Trend?
"Restaurants are redefining seating as a social, experiential asset rather than a logistical solution. Communal tables have become a tool for belonging, discovery, and vibe-driven dining culture.""
Check out the article here!
(photo theguardian.com)
| | Sales Dropping at State Stores Due to Consumption Decline | | |
Pennsylvania’s wine and spirits sales dipped last fiscal year for only the second time in the past three decades.
Check out the article here!
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Tax Bill 101: What Employers Need to Know About No Tax on Tips/Overtime at YE
Still have questions about the tax changes coming?
Don't miss this webinar 12/16
| | NIVA - Development Sessions 12/18 | | Do you know how to have difficult conversations? | |
How to have difficult conversations
Whether you're delivering tough feedback, addressing a conflict or navigating a sensitive topic, the ability to have hard conversations with clarity and compassion is a critical skill to learn.
Read the article by Naphtali Hoff
| | | ServSafe Upcoming Sessions | | |
“ServSafe Food Safety: Keep Your Team Holiday-Ready
Ensure your staff is current on their ServSafe certifications as holiday parties and high-volume events ramp up. PRLA offers monthly public
ServSafe classes, as well as on-site private corporate trainings at your establishment. View upcoming classes."
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Diversity Scholarship Program
The Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) is a theater and school designed to train students in the foundations of comedy. The UCB continues to evolve its offerings and programming to better address the varied needs of artists today.
To that end, UCB is enacting a new Diversity Scholarship Program for both new and existing students that will offer financial aid, networking events and targeted educational programs to historically underrepresented individuals in our community so all students may have an equal opportunity to learn and grow through the comedic arts.
Apply Now
| | GPAC - Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator | | |
The Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator grant program provides creative entrepreneurs with small business consulting and $2,000 in critical financial resources to grow businesses and revenue.
Before applying, applicants must first schedule a consultation and business plan review with a local small-business development organization, called a Referral Coordinator. Referral Coordinators help applicants create an approved business plan, which is required as part of the application.
Important Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Dates
- Appointments with Referral Coordinators open: October 1, 2025
- Referral Coordinator deadline: January 7, 2026
- Applications open: January 19, 2026 (first-come, first-served basis)
- Applications close: February 6, 2026
| | City of Pittsburgh, pat yourself on the back! | | |
IT'S OK TO BRAG...
Pittsburgh has, once again, been named one of the top travel destinations in the world!
National Geographic selects the Steel City as one of 25 best places to travel to in 2026 — the only U.S. city on the list.
KUDOS, Pittsburgh!
Read the article here
| | GET NOTICED AND GET MORE BUSINESS | | Tell us About your Service Industry Night! | | |
Help us celebrate the front line workers that make our night's shine.
Build a real social network of peers to learn from and lean on!
Allegheny Wine Mixer - Sunday's, 20% off service industry
Urban Tap - Mondays, 9 - 12, $5 select cocktails, $5 wine, 1/2 off drafts & shareables
Arsenal Bowl - 9pm - 12am
Con Alma – Monday's, 9 – 11pm
Helltown Taproom in the Strip – Tuesday's, 6pm – 9pm
Howl At The Moon - Wednesday's, 25% off bar tab with proof of employment
Tell us about your Service Industry night and we'll be sure to include it in the next post. Bret@pittsburghpa.gov
| | Do you Have a Space to Rent? | | |
Have Space to Host for Parties?
Several people have contacted us asking where they can hold their holiday parties and special events. Do you have a private dining room or event space? Let us know and we'll add you to our list.
Send details to Bret.Kunash@pittsburghpa.gov
| | Follow us for daily updates on Pittsburgh's Nighttime Economy, upcoming news and events. | | |
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HELP US HELP YOU: Send your questions, challenges, or useful tidbits to Allison Or give us a call at 412-400-900.
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| | References to a specific product, process, or service does not constitute or imply an endorsement. Always, consult your professional service providers to decide if a resource is a right fit for your business. | | | | |
