Although some may seek to downplay our city's steel heritage, Pittsburgh remains the "Steel City" to the rest of the world -- and this is a good thing!

More than two decades after many of the legendary steel mills of our region met their demise and six years following a slew of bankruptcies, today's growth and transformation of the global steel industry relies on technology centered in our backyard. If you think the remnants of idle mills exemplify an old industry that has all but vanished, think again.

A recent study by the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Industry Studies found that Pittsburgh-based suppliers to the steel industry not only have survived changing times, they have grown and demonstrated their resilience. The steel industry in our region not only remains an active part of the local economy, it is a key player in creating a brighter future for the global industry.

Western Pennsylvania is home to more than 25 percent of North America's steel mill suppliers -- more than 300 companies that employ more than 12,000 talented people to engineer and fabricate sophisticated machinery that can melt, cast, roll and treat steel, in addition to manufacturing precision refractories, lances, burners and other specialty equipment. There still are more people working in the steel industry in the Pittsburgh region than in any other metro region in the country.

Global steel production is predicted to grow 7 percent per year for at least the next decade. Such sustained growth is necessary to meet demand for new and improved infrastructure in the transportation, energy, water, sanitation, housing, agriculture and packaging sectors, among many others.

Need more proof that steel is alive and well? Visit the business section to see first-hand that public companies such as U.S. Steel, Allegheny Technologies and AK Steel -- all still producing steel in this region -- have rolled off several years of record-level profitability. Never has Wall Street been so accommodating to steel.

Local steel and related industries are reinventing themselves, developing new technologies, diversifying their products and establishing new customers in new places. Ironically, our reputation for being a steel town, viewed by some as a negative, speaks volumes to global customers who view it as validation that Pittsburgh has the know-how to produce high-quality steel.

Still skeptical? Then come see for yourself. Tomorrow, AISTech 2008, the largest annual steel technology conference and exposition in the world, opens at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center Downtown. Pittsburgh will host more than 7,500 steel professionals, including producers, suppliers, consumers and academics. On Wednesday, seven corporate captains will debate steel's path to environmental sustainability.

While local steelmaking technology has come a long way, great pride remains in our steel history. Past generations of steelworkers remain a symbol of our region's resilience and drive to succeed, and what better time than Pittsburgh's 250th anniversary to pay tribute to those who toiled in the furnaces that once lined our river banks.

We sometimes hear that everything old is new again, and in the modern steel industry, we are observing this phenomenon firsthand. With respect to technology development, market demand and employment opportunity, it is truly an exciting time for steel. As a Pittsburgher, I take great pride in our "Steel City" heritage and in our steel future.

Now, if we could only get an international flight out of our airport ...