Category: data centers

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending July 24, 2026

Here are the top Pennsylvania construction stories this week. To read this newsletter on a new platform click: PA’s Top Construction Stories.

Philadelphia Energy Retrofit Program Creates Major Construction Opportunities: A significant municipal energy modernization program is underway that will renovate 14 city-owned buildings through Pennsylvania’s Guaranteed Energy Savings Act (GESA). Construction began this summer and is expected to create approximately 300 jobs, with more than half of the work performed by local contractors. Mechanical, HVAC, electrical, and building systems contractors are expected to benefit. READ MORE.

Large Project Opportunities Continue to Enter the Bidding Pipeline: Commercial contractors seeking new work continue to see opportunities across Pennsylvania in healthcare, education, industrial, municipal, and mixed-use developments. Project lead services are reporting a steady flow of commercial projects available for bidding throughout the state. READ MORE.

Commonwealth recently announced nearly $445 million in RACP funding for 356 projects statewide: Pennsylvania is the only state in the Northeast with a growing economy, based on analysis done by Moody’s Analytics, and the region’s top state for business, according to CNBC. This RACP funding strengthens communities by assisting with construction jobs. READ MORE.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending July 17, 2026

Here are the top Pennsylvania construction stories this week:

AI Data Centers Continue to Dominate Pennsylvania’s Construction Pipeline: Large-scale AI data center development continues to reshape western and northeastern Pennsylvania because of the state’s available power infrastructure and land. The latest national attention focused on Salem Township, where hundreds of millions of dollars in land acquisitions are fueling future data center construction. READ MORE.

Labor Demand Continues to Increase: The workforce challenge remains one of the industry’s biggest constraints as large industrial projects compete for skilled labor. KCA research indicates strongest demand for: electricians, carpenters, heavy equipment operators, HVAC technicians, concrete finishers and project managers. For a national perspective READ MORE. In Pennsylvania, the KCA made a big workforce development announcement: KCA has an announcement. #BuildtheFuture #ConstructionCareers #KCAbuildsPA.

KCA’s Response to the State Budget: Last weekend the Pennsylvania General Assembly and Governor Shapiro approved the 2026/2027 State Budget. KCA appreciated the fiscal restraint of the budget. Click here to read the entire KCA Statement on the 2026/2027 State Budget.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending July 10, 2026

Here are the top Pennsylvania construction stories this week:

Pennsylvania Demographics Continue to Affect Hiring: The Pennsylvania Chamber continues warning that workforce availability—not unemployment—is becoming the state’s biggest economic challenge. Some notable figures: For every 100 jobs open, only about 77 qualified Pennsylvanians are available; and, an aging workforce and slower population growth are reducing the available labor pool, particularly in the skilled trades. READ MORE.

Northeast Pennsylvania Reports Ongoing Workforce Challenges: A recent regional economic report found construction activity remains relatively strong in Northeast Pennsylvania, but contractors continue identifying workforce shortages as one of the industry’s primary constraints on growth. READ MORE.

KCA Surpasses $100,000 in Scholarships: The Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) proudly announced that it has awarded more than $100,000 in college scholarships since launching its scholarship program in 2022, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to developing Pennsylvania’s next generation of construction industry leaders. Designed with a singular mission, the KCA Scholarship Program is unlike any other in the Commonwealth. KCA proudly refers to it as “Pennsylvania’s Scholarship” because every dollar invested stays in Pennsylvania. READ MORE (CPBJ is password protected. If you cannot view article, click to read KCA release).

PHOTO CAPTION: KCA Education Committee Chairman Jim Darr with the 2026 KCA Scholarship winners: Kevin Brown, Lindsay Baer and Keely Nunn.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending July 3, 2026

Construction is one of America’s most patriotic industries because we build the nation, live the values that made America great and leave every community stronger than we found it. For 250 years, builders have helped write the American story – and we’re proud to continue that legacy today.

In honor of 250 years of the United States of America, this week’s recap features three reasons why Pennsylvania’s construction industry has a deep tradition of patriotism that is rooted in its history, workforce and mission.

  1. Construction Literally Builds America: No industry has a more direct connection to the nation’s growth than construction. Pennsylvania contractors build and maintain the infrastructure that keeps America moving. Construction professionals don’t just work in America—they build the places where Americans live, work, learn, and serve. That creates a strong sense of pride and purpose.
  2. The Industry Shares America’s Founding Values: Construction reflects many of the same values that have defined America for 250 years. Many contractors are family-owned businesses that have been passed from one generation to the next. Pennsylvania has construction companies that are fourth-, fifth-, and even sixth-generation family businesses. Those traditions mirror the American story of entrepreneurship, perseverance, and building something lasting for future generations. Some of our industry’s values:
    • Hard work
    • Self-reliance
    • Personal responsibility
    • Teamwork
    • Freedom to build businesses and careers
    • Opportunity through the skilled trades
  3. Construction Has a Strong Tradition of Service: The construction workforce has long included military veterans, volunteer firefighters, first responders, coaches, community leaders, and civic volunteers. Many construction professionals see their work as serving their communities, not just earning a living. Building a safer bridge, a new school, or a veterans’ facility has a lasting impact on people’s lives. Construction companies regularly:
    • Rebuild communities after a natural disaster.
    • Donate time, equipment, and materials to charitable causes.
    • Support local schools, youth sports and community organizations.

Happy 250th Birthday America!

Penn Installations Earns KCA’s Highest Safety Honor for Pennsylvania Subcontractors

HARRISBURG, PA — The Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) proudly announced that Penn Installations has been recognized as the as the safest subcontractor in Pennsylvania among companies reporting more than 100,000 work hours in 2025.

The award was presented during KCA’s annual Construction Celebration, where construction leaders from across the Commonwealth gathered to recognize excellence in safety, workforce development, and the building industry.

Based in Summerhill, Pennsylvania, Penn Installations provides construction services on projects throughout the Commonwealth and has established a reputation for delivering quality work while maintaining an unwavering commitment to employee safety.

The KCA Safety Award recognizes subcontractors that demonstrate exceptional safety performance while completing a significant volume of work. Receiving the award reflects a company-wide commitment to protecting employees, investing in training, and fostering a culture where safety is the foundation of every project.

“Penn Installations has set the standard for safety excellence in Pennsylvania’s construction industry,” said Jon O’Brien, Executive Director of the KCA. “Managing more than 100,000 work hours while achieving the Commonwealth’s top safety record is an extraordinary accomplishment. This recognition reflects the dedication of every employee and leader who makes safety the first priority every day.”

Penn Installations credits the award to the commitment of its entire workforce, from field employees to supervisors and management, who work together to ensure every project is completed safely and successfully.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from the Keystone Contractors Association,” said Howard Bernstein, President of Penn Installations. “Safety is more than a program at Penn Installations—it is part of our culture. Every member of our team takes personal responsibility for protecting one another, and this award is a reflection of that shared commitment. We thank KCA for this recognition and remain dedicated to continuous improvement as we serve clients across Pennsylvania.”

The Keystone Contractors Association’s annual Safety Awards recognize contractors whose outstanding safety performance demonstrates that protecting workers is essential to building successful projects and a stronger construction industry.

About Penn Installations

Penn Installations, headquartered in Summerhill, Pennsylvania, is a leading construction subcontractor serving clients throughout Pennsylvania. The company is recognized for its commitment to quality workmanship, dependable service, and an industry-leading culture of safety.

About the Keystone Contractors Association

The Keystone Contractors Association is a leading Pennsylvania commercial construction association, representing construction contractors and industry partners. KCA advances workforce development, safety, education, and advocacy efforts to strengthen Pennsylvania’s construction industry and build the next generation of construction professionals.

Media Contact:
Jon O’Brien
Executive Director
Keystone Contractors Association
717-731-6272
Jon@KeystoneContractors.com

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending June 26, 2026

Here are the top Pennsylvania construction stories this week:

Pennsylvania budget negotiations continue to influence construction: With the state budget deadline approaching, infrastructure funding, economic development incentives and data center legislation continue to be negotiated. Contractors are watching closely because final budget decisions could affect public building, infrastructure and economic development projects across the Commonwealth. READ MORE.

Philadelphia institutional construction remains active: Despite continued softness in the office market, healthcare, higher education and institutional construction continue to provide opportunities in the Philadelphia region. Commercial developers remain focused on adaptive reuse and specialized facilities rather than speculative office construction. READ MORE.

Panzitta Enterprises Receives KCA’s Highest Safety Honor – The H.B. Alexander Safety Cup: At this year’s Construction Celebration, Panzitta Enterprises was honored as the general contractor in Pennsylvania with the best safety record among firms reporting with over 100,000 hours worked. Named in honor of H.B. Alexander who was a pioneer in Pennsylvania’s construction industry for many reasons like helping the Associated General Contractors of America establish its Safety Committee in the early 1950s, which is almost two decades before OSHA was created. READ MORE.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending June 19, 2026

Here are the top Pennsylvania construction stories this week:

Data Centers Become Pennsylvania’s Biggest Construction Story: The debate over large-scale AI data center development intensified this week as projects across the Commonwealth faced increasing scrutiny from local governments, environmental groups, and state policymakers. Proposed facilities in Chester County, the Poconos, and other regions are generating major discussions about energy demand, permitting, workforce needs, and economic development. Despite opposition in some communities, state leaders continue to view data centers as a major source of construction jobs and investment. READ MORE.

Dauphin Highlands Golf Course Sold for Data Center Redevelopment: One of the week’s biggest Central Pennsylvania development stories was confirmation that the former Dauphin Highlands Golf Course property near Harrisburg will close and be redeveloped into a data center campus. The $45.6 million transaction is another example of how AI infrastructure demand is reshaping Pennsylvania’s construction landscape and creating future opportunities for sitework, utilities, electrical contractors, and building trades. READ MORE.

Pennsylvania Housing Construction Shortage Draws Attention: A new statewide housing analysis released this week estimated Pennsylvania needs approximately 450,000 additional housing units by 2035. The report highlights permitting delays, development regulations, and infrastructure constraints as significant contributors to construction costs and housing shortages. This is likely to fuel discussions around zoning reform and accelerating residential construction approvals. READ MORE.

CAPTION: Recently the KCA hosted the 2026 Construction Celebration. KCA President Joseph Orr III welcomed the ballroom full of construction professionals and elected officials. More news and announcements from this event will be posted over summer.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania Construction Recep – The Top Stories for the Week Ending June 12, 2026

Here are the top Pennsylvania stories this week:

Proposed Muncy Data Center Moves Forward: A proposed data center in Lycoming County advanced with new site-plan details becoming public. The project would require substantial site development, utility infrastructure, and building construction, making it one of the most closely watched private-sector projects in Central Pennsylvania. READ MORE.

Homer City Redevelopment Reaches Major Milestone: The massive redevelopment of the former Homer City power plant site reached a significant construction milestone with completion of a major demolition phase. The site is being positioned for one of the largest energy and industrial redevelopment projects in Pennsylvania, creating future opportunities for heavy civil, industrial, and energy contractors. READ MORE.

Can you inspire the next generation in 30 seconds? The KCA Build the Future Video Challenge is live! We’re calling on contractors, apprentices, engineers, and construction professionals to share why they love working in the construction industry. Show us what you’re building. Show us why it matters. Show students what’s possible. The future won’t build itself. #BuildTheFuture #KCABuildsPA #ConstructionCareers READ MORE.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

KCA Launches “Build the Future” Video Challenge to Inspire Pennsylvania’s Next Generation of Construction Professionals

HARRISBURG, Pa. – At the 2026 Construction Celebration, the Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) announced the launch of the KCA Build the Future Video Challenge, a statewide social media campaign designed to showcase the exciting opportunities available in Pennsylvania’s construction industry and inspire the next generation of builders.

The challenge invites construction companies, union members, apprentices, engineers, project managers, estimators, superintendents, and other industry professionals to create and share short videos—30 seconds or less—highlighting why a career in construction is rewarding, exciting, and impactful.

“The construction industry has an incredible story to tell,” said Jon O’Brien, Executive Director of the KCA. “Every day, our members build the schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, and facilities that keep Pennsylvania moving forward. Through this challenge, we’re encouraging construction professionals to share their stories and help young people see the opportunities available in our industry.”

Participants are encouraged to create positive, authentic videos showcasing:
• Pride in the projects they build
• The variety and excitement of construction careers
• Great wages and benefits
• Opportunities to earn while learning
• Teamwork and problem-solving
• Advanced technology and innovation
• Why they would recommend construction careers to students and young adults

Videos can be posted on TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and other social media platforms between June 9 and November 1, 2026.

To enter, participants should post their videos, using one of the following hashtags:
#BuildTheFuture
#KCABuildsPA
#ConstructionCareers

Winning videos will be selected through a combination of public engagement and judging by a panel of emerging construction professionals. KCA plans to recognize winners at a year-end industry event.

Prizes include:
• Grand Prize: $1,000
• Finalists: $250 each
• Special Recognition Awards for creativity, energy, and industry ambassadorship

The Build the Future Video Challenge is part of KCA’s ongoing commitment to workforce development and promoting careers in Pennsylvania’s construction industry.

“Construction offers outstanding opportunities for people from all backgrounds,” O’Brien said. “Whether someone is interested in the skilled trades, engineering, project management, or technology, our industry provides meaningful careers, strong wages, and the chance to build something that lasts. We look forward to seeing construction professionals across Pennsylvania help us tell that story.”

Additional contest information, rules, and updates will be available through KCA’s social media channels and member communications.

About the KCA: The Keystone Contractors Association is a leading Pennsylvania commercial construction association, representing contractors, specialty contractors, suppliers, and industry consultants committed to building a stronger construction industry throughout the Commonwealth.

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending June 5, 2026

Here are the top Pennsylvania construction stories this week:

Data Center Construction Continues to Dominate Pennsylvania: The biggest story remains the race to attract AI and hyperscale data centers. Governor Shapiro unveiled details of his proposed incentive package aimed at attracting billions of dollars in additional data center investment. The proposal is receiving support from many construction unions and contractors because of the enormous amount of work these facilities create. READ MORE.

University of Pennsylvania Housing Redevelopment Moves Forward: The University of Pennsylvania finalized a partnership with Greystar to redevelop a 493-bed student housing complex in Philadelphia. The project is another sign that institutional and higher-education construction remains active despite broader concerns about commercial real estate. READ More.

2026 Construction Celebration is Monday Night: Construction’s biggest night in our state capital is this Monday, June 8. See you in Harrisburg: 2026 Construction Celebration, Monday, June 8  •  5 PM – 7 PM.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania.