And Pittsburgh thought it couldn't get any better. A sixth Super Bowl ring was a great way to start the year. But with the world's attention on the city for the G20 Summit in the fall, it had only just beginin the Steel City.
While the economy staggered around them, these Pennsylvanians stood strong, driving innovation and working tirelessly to expand possibilities and opportunities throughout their respective companies, organizations and institutions.
With apologies to Kermit, it is easy being green in Pennsylvania, where our photographers chronicled the rapid development of green technology, companies and products throughout 2009.
Thomas Medical Company, Probes Unlimited and Met-Pro Corporation work in considerably different fields, but the three Eastern PA manufacturers share one common, business-growing trait--they've committed to "lean" principles.
While other companies struggled to find ways to stay afloat during the recession, BioClinica was on the attack the last 12 months.
Tried and true bastions of research, innovation and excellence, like the University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon and Penn State continued to diversify their interests, impact and integration into the Commonwealth's communities that support them.
A Milken Institute study found Greater Philadelphia passed San Francisco and is closing in on Boston as the nation's top life sciences region.
Surely, there were many factors involved, but Harley-Davidson's decision to remain the face of manufacturing in York County sent a major signal: Pennsylvania still matters on the manufacturing front.
Green jobs, green technology and green behaviors are being touted as the country's escape from the economic recession and its re-emergence.