Category: Community Service

Pennsylvania Weekly Construction Recap – Top Stories for Week Ending August 29, 2025

On Labor Day, we celebrate every worker whose skill, commitment, and perseverance help build the America we’re proud to call home. Happy Labor Day!

On this year’s Labor Day, we celebrate every worker whose skill, commitment, and perseverance help build the America we’re proud to call home.

Here are the top construction stories in Pennsylvania this week:

Restoring An Icon: Fallingwater Renovation Underway: A $7 million restoration project is underway at Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous Fallingwater estate in the Laurel Highlands. The two-year effort—set to wrap up by spring 2026—aims to eliminate chronic water infiltration by replacing roofs, repairing steel frames, injecting nearly 12 tons of grout into stone masonry, and restoring exterior walls. The work must uphold UNESCO and National Register standards, making execution especially complex. READ MORE.

$1.6 B Montgomery Lock & Dam Modernization: In Monaca, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun a $1.59 billion rehabilitation of the Montgomery Lock and Dam on the Ohio River. The project includes demolishing the auxiliary lock chamber and building a new, larger 110-ft × 600-ft primary lock. Completion is targeted for 2033, and work remains in early stages. READ MORE.

Fast-Tracking Renewable Energy Permits Ahead of Federal Deadline: Pennsylvania is accelerating wind and solar project approvals to qualify for expiring federal tax credits before July 2026, amid President Trump’s phase-out policy. Gov. Josh Shapiro is advocating for a state energy siting board to streamline permitting, similar to Michigan’s 2023 law, to cut bureaucratic delays and boost construction starts. READ MORE.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

KCA Honors Mikayla Ebling with 2025 Top Young Leader Award

The Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) is pleased to announce that Mikayla Ebeling, at McCrossin, has been awarded the 2025 Top Young Leader Award. This prestigious honor recognizes rising professionals under the age of 40 who demonstrate strong leadership, dedication to the construction industry, and a commitment to excellence. KCA started doing this award in 2018.  

“Mikayla Ebeling represents the future of our industry—driven, innovative, and community-minded,” said Jon O’Brien, Executive Director of KCA. “We’re proud to recognize such an inspiring leader who continues to elevate the standards of our profession.” 

With a background at West Virgina University and majored in Civil Engineering, Ebeling has quickly become a standout figure in the construction field. She has led major projects, mentored younger professionals, and actively supported workforce development and safety initiatives. 

The award was presented during the 2025 Construction Celebration held on June 9th at Harrisburg Hilton, where industry professionals from across Pennsylvania gathered to celebrate leadership and collaboration. Click to view the event recap. 

Media Contact: 
Jon O’Brien 
Executive Director 
Keystone Contractors Association 
(717) 731-6272 
jon@keystonecontractors.com 

Pennsylvania Weekly Construction Recap – Top Stories for Week Ending August 22, 2025

Here are the top construction stories for Pennsylvania this week:

Golf course sold for a data center: The Dauphin Highlands Golf Course in Harrisburg has been sold for $45.6 million despite $13 million in debt. The site is set for redevelopment into a data center, promising considerable tax revenue. The deal is expected to close by December 31, 2027, pending final conditions. READ MORE.

Detentions of construction workers by ICE: At least 25 migrant construction workers were detained while heading to work in Pennsylvania. Some were sent to a processing center in Moshannon Valley. The incident has drawn condemnation from immigrant rights groups. READ MORE.

Buildsylvania’s AI-Driven Construction Boom: Pennsylvania is experiencing a massive construction surge fueled by AI and energy demands, with $92 billion in private sector investments announced by U.S. Senator Dave McCormick. Projects include grid upgrades and dam refurbishments to support AI infrastructure, described as a “trillion-dollar, multi-front construction project” unprecedented in scale since the Industrial Revolution. READ MORE.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Keystone Contractors Association Names Steven Fitzpatrick as 2025 Labor Champion 

Fitzpatrick honored as this year’s Thomas George Memorial Community Service Awardee for his exceptional dedication to workforce development & community impact

[Harrisburg, PA] — The Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) is proud to announce that Steven Fitzpatrick has been named the recipient of the 2025 Thomas George Memorial Community Service Award, an annual honor recognizing outstanding service and leadership in Pennsylvania’s construction industry. 

Fitzpatrick, a respected labor advocate and industry leader working as a Superintendent for Rocky Bleier Construction Group as a member of Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters Local 431, was named this year’s Construction Labor Champion for his relentless efforts to improve working conditions, strengthen labor-management partnerships, and champion community engagement across the region. 

“Steven Fitzpatrick embodies the spirit of this award—service, leadership, and integrity,” said Jon O’Brien, Executive Director of the Keystone Contractors Association. “His commitment to advancing the construction workforce while giving back to the community makes him a true labor champion and a worthy recipient of this year’s honor.” 

About the Thomas George Memorial Community Service Award 

Established in memory of longtime KCA Executive Director Thomas George, the award honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional service to their community and the construction industry. Winners reflect George’s lifelong values: collaboration, respect, and a passion for elevating both labor and management in construction. 

Fitzpatrick was selected through a nomination process involving peers and industry stakeholders, who cited his leadership in labor advocacy, safety initiatives, and community-building efforts as among the best in the industry. 

When accepting this award, Fitzpatrick was quick to highlight many of the great organizations he supports like the Harrisburg PTSD Run for Veterans, Fort Indiantown Gap Wreaths Across America and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Fitzpatrick was formally honored at the 2025 Construction Celebration, where industry leaders will celebrate his achievements and ongoing commitment to excellence. Click here to view video highlights: 2025 Construction Celebration Recap.

Keystone Contractors Association Recognizes Excellence in Jobsite Safety with Annual Safety Awards 

[Harrisburg, PA] — The Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) continues its tradition of promoting workplace safety and health through its annual KCA Safety Awards Program—an initiative that honors construction firms throughout Pennsylvania for outstanding safety performance and commitment to protecting their workforce. 

The KCA Safety Awards highlight general contractors, subcontractors, and specialty contractors who demonstrate exceptional safety records, industry leadership, and innovative safety practices. Participating firms submit detailed safety data—including total hours worked, OSHA recordable incidents, and lost-time injuries—which are analyzed and compared to national safety benchmarks. 

“Safety is the cornerstone of everything we do in the construction industry,” said Jon O’Brien, Executive Director of KCA. “These awards are about more than just numbers—they reflect the daily commitment our members make to ensure every worker returns home safe.” 

Each year, winners are honored during the Construction Celebration, a special event hosted by KCA in Harrisburg that’s promoted across industry publications and media platforms. In addition to recognizing company-level achievements, the program helps elevate safety awareness and best practices across the state’s construction sector. Highlights from this year’s event: 2025 Construction Celebration Recap. 

The KCA Safety Awards are open to all association members, and data is submitted confidentially for evaluation. The program aligns with KCA’s broader mission to improve industry standards, foster collaboration among contractors, and promote workforce development throughout Pennsylvania. 

KCA Safety Award Winners in Honored in 2025: 

General Contractor: Safest Record with ZERO injuries over 100k hours 

  • Quandel Construction Group, LLC 
  • NOTE: This category winner receives the HB Alexander Trophy, named after a founding father of the KCA who was renowned for safety leadership.  

Subcontractor: Safest Record over 100k hours 

  • Novingers, Inc. 

General Contractor: Safest Record with ZERO injuries between 50k & 100k hours 

  • Serviam Construction, LLC 

Subcontractor: Safest Record between 50k &100k hours 

  • Penn Installations, Inc. 

General Contractor: Safest Record with ZERO injuries under 50k hours 

  • Bill Anskis Company, LLC 

Subcontractor: Safest Record with ZERO injuries under 50k hours 

  • Ralph E. Jones, Inc. 

Most Improved Safety Record 

  • McClure Company 

About the KCA: The Keystone Contractors Association is a commercial construction trade association that provides services in areas such as safety, education, career development, labor relations, community service and government relations. For more information, interview requests or photographs, please contact the KCA: 717-731-6272 \ Jon@KeystoneContractors.com.