The Pittsburgh Pirates and PNC Bank announced Going to Bat for Small Business Program Presented by PNC will return for a fourth consecutive year.
Going to Bat for Small Business highlights six local businesses that help make a positive impact on the community, one for each month of the baseball season. The Pirates and PNC Bank award the six winners with a marketing package valued up to $100,000 and a $5,000 grant. The 2023 winners will be selected by a special committee comprised of past winners, local area chamber of commerce personnel, media members and community organizations.
“Small businesses are essential to our region’s economy, but often they don’t have as many resources as larger companies,” said Lou Cestello, PNC regional president of Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pa. “PNC is proud to collaborate once again with the Pirates to give local business owners access to premier marketing assets that will help move their business—and our community—forward.”
The Pirates will also use their unique public platform to help the businesses generate brand awareness. Assets will include in-broadcast drop-ins by Pirates broadcasters, 30-second television and radio commercials produced by the Pirates, social media promotion with logo inclusion on graphics, in-park digital signage, a luxury suite night and more.
“Small businesses are essential to the livelihood of our neigborhoods. We are proud to again partner with PNC Bank to help provide needed resources and drive awareness to help those in our small business community thrive and grow,” said Pirates President Travis Williams. “We cannot thank PNC enough for their steadfast commitment to this program. Now entering it’s fourth year, their support is critical to the program’s success in advancing entrepreneurship in the Pittsburgh region.”
Small businesses located in Allegheny County and the immediate surrounding counties can nominate themselves at pirates.com/smallbusiness. Following the nomination period, which begins Thursday, February 16, and closes on Thursday, March 2, the selection committee will collaborate to select six local business owners.
For more information on the program and how fans can get involved, please visit pirates.com/ smallbusiness.