Area's economy picking up
A gauge of local business activity rose for the second straight month in April, indicating growth in the region's economy is picking up. Higher production levels, growing backlogs and increased employment helped the Institute of Supply Management-Pittsburgh chapter's Regional Economic Index rise to 52.22 in April from 52.18 in March; it stood at 51.84 a year ago. A reading above 50 represents an expanding economy.

Tepper and its new fellows
Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business has launched the James R. Swartz Entrepreneurial Fellowship Program, which will provide mentoring, an internship and other business leadership programs to 12 MBA students in the second year of their studies. The new program was made possible with a gift from Mr. Swartz, a Tepper school alumnus and venture capitalist who co-founded Palo Alto, Calif.-based private equity firm Accel Partners.

Also in business ...
Neither Hilton Hotels nor Boca Raton, Fla.-based Shubh Hotels would comment on reports that Shubh has purchased the Hilton Pittsburgh, which has been on the market since last summer ... Carnegie Learning said the Chicago Public Schools has purchased its Cognitive Tutor Bridge to Algebra and Algebra I curricula for seven Chicago high schools. The purchase price, $770,000, will be funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ... Kim G. Clark, Michael W.D. Howell and Gary C. Valade have been elected directors of Wabtec Corp.