President Donald Trump last week fulfilled his pledge to protect America’s national security and grow prosperity in the middle of the country when he announced a staggering $90 billion-plus had been secured to build artificial intelligence data power centers, all fueled by the region’s abundant natural gas, nuclear and coal power sources.

“We’re back in Pittsburgh to announce the largest package of investments in the history of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania that will bring tens of thousands of jobs to the region,” Trump said in an interview with the Washington Examiner after a roundtable led by freshman Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.).

Pittsburgh sizzled with excitement at the possibilities to come from the convergence of the brightest treasures of the region, including the research and talent coming from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, the energy coming from the ground below, and the historic excellence of the trade and labor unions that have generational ties to the region.

Organized by McCormick, with heavy lifting by his wife, Dina Powell McCormick, a force of nature unto herself, the massive event attracted Silicon Valley technocrats, energy giants, university officials, investors, labor leaders and government officials from both parties, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Sen. John Fetterman, both Democrats who touted the jobs and stability the new industry would bring to the region.

Darrin Kelly, president of the Allegheny-Fayette Central Labor Council, said the largest private investment in the state’s history is a tremendous opportunity for workers and the communities they live in.

“We have the greatest workforce in the world, and our workers are more than ready to help lead our city and our country into the future,” Kelly said, thanking McCormick for his leadership in bringing people together.

The rapid rise of AI and the power needed to fortify the electrical grid to sustain it were at the core of the summit. Trump stressed that Pennsylvania is the second-leading energy-producing state in the country and is in a perfect position geographically to deliver affordable energy that the AI, advanced manufacturing, medical and research sectors demand.

The host university, Carnegie Mellon, where the first AI computer was developed in the 1950s, served as the perfect venue for the multitiered event, which included panels featuring Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, and “Dirty Jobs” creator and trades evangelist Mike Rowe.

Carnegie Mellon President Farnam Jahanian said this type of event and national dialogue is exactly what great research universities are called to do.

“Higher education must be a convener — a catalyst for ideas and partnerships that share our future,” he said. “For the past 125 years, we’ve been at the heart of the technological revolutions that have redefined industries, remade communities and propelled our nation forward.”

Trump said bringing people together across sectors to tackle big things is what this moment is all about.

“You have the greatest group of financial talent and environmental talent, every form of talent. You have the greatest group right now, and it’s an honor to be here,” Trump said during the interview, adding, “These are the biggest people in the financial world. They’re putting $20 billion, $30 billion. You see the kind of numbers invested, and it’s really going to be something to behold in the next couple of years.”

“This is the golden age of America. I will tell you, it’s the golden age,” Trump continued, adding that this region of post-industrial Appalachia might not have to use the term “Rust Belt” much longer.

Trump also fulfilled the promise he made in 2017 while withdrawing from the controversial Paris climate agreement: “I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris.”