Category: Legislation

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending March 27, 2026

Here are the top Pennsylvania construction stories this week:

$17B Mega Energy Project Proposed for Southwest PA: A $17 billion natural gas-powered energy hub is being planned in southwestern Pennsylvania. The project could generate 4.3 GW of electricity (≈3 million homes) and support massive data center growth. It also includes potential transmission line construction and reflects a broader surge in energy + data infrastructure builds. Why it matters: This is one of the largest potential construction investments in the state and ties directly to AI/data center demand. READ MORE.

Fast-Track Program Accelerating Major Projects: Pennsylvania’s Permit Fast Track Program is speeding up approvals for large construction projects. Key developments include: Data centers (Amazon + others); Bellwether District (1,300-acre redevelopment in Philadelphia); PennSTART transportation test facility (Westmoreland County). Some projects are moving ~1 year faster than traditional timelines. Why it matters: Faster permitting = more predictable pipelines for contractors and developers. READ MORE.

PennDOT Construction & Infrastructure Investment: PennDOT continues major investments statewide, including: 230+ million in projects across northern PA and Work on 86 miles of roadway and 59 bridges. Example active project: $83.6 million US-422 reconstruction + bridge replacements in Montgomery County. Why it matters: Public infrastructure remains a steady driver of construction demand. READ MORE.

PHOTO CAPTION: This week the KCA held seminar three of four in the Building A Strong Workforce series. Thanks to Houck for hosting this event and a special thanks to Pro-A for developing this seminar series and delivering it to the region’s construction industry. Presenter Nikki Weir of Pro-A is seen in the photo with KCA’s Jon O’Brien. UP NEXT: The final presentation in this series will be held at Pennoni, for more information visit: Building A Strong Workforce, Seminar 4 of 4: Mental Health Resources, Wednesday, Apr 22 from 12 pm to 1:30 pm.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending March 20, 2026

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building PA!

Here are the top Pennsylvania construction stories this week:

Industrial, Data Center & Policy-Driven Construction: Concerning the data center boom and new regulations, lawmakers are advancing new rules governing data center construction (energy + water use transparency). The Governor is pushing for faster permitting for large projects and meeting environmental standards. All of this discussion and decisions are tied to billions in planned AI/data center and energy-related construction statewide. READ MORE.

Safety & Regulatory Impacts on Construction: The fallout from the deadly factory explosion from 2023, regulators are seeking $2.6M in penalties tied to the West Reading explosion. Likely to influence stricter safety standards and construction/utility oversight going forward. READ MORE.

Turnpike Reconstruction & Major Roadwork: The Pennsylvania Turnpike launching major reconstruction work to improve safety and capacity. Additional road and bridge work underway across the state (I-476, Route 202, etc.). Highlights steady pipeline of heavy highway construction projects. READ MORE.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending March 13, 2026

Here are the top Pennsylvania construction stories this week:

Growing Pushback Against Massive Data Center Construction: Plans to build dozens of large data centers across Pennsylvania are drawing increasing public scrutiny. Community groups and environmental advocates are raising concerns about power demand, water consumption, and land use tied to the rapid expansion of AI and cloud infrastructure facilities.

Key details:

  • More than 50 potential data center projects have been proposed statewide.
  • Communities worry about electric grid strain and environmental impacts.
  • Lawmakers from both parties are beginning to weigh regulatory responses.

Construction impact:

  • Potential billions in commercial construction work
  • Large opportunities for MEP contractors, site development, and heavy civil firms

Pushback on Data Center Construction, Read More.

Pennsylvania Funding New EV Charging Construction: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced funding for 12 new electric-vehicle charging station construction projects along major highway corridors.

Details:

  • Part of the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program
  • Builds on $54 million already invested in charging infrastructure statewide
  • 30 stations already built with 53 more in planning or construction.

Construction impact:

  • Electrical contracting work
  • Site preparation and utility upgrades
  • Highway-adjacent commercial development

New EV Charging Construction, Read More.

$45 M Special Education School Building Project Breaks Ground: A $45 million school construction project for students with disabilities recently broke ground in eastern Pennsylvania. The project is funded with KeyBank financing, built by a partnership including Haverford Development Partners and North Star Construction, and expected completion of August 2027, with the school opening that fall. READ MORE.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending March 6, 2026

Here are the top Pennsylvania construction stories this week:

$15 Billion AI Data Center Moving Forward near Carlisle: One of the largest construction projects in Pennsylvania history just hit a major milestone. The project will include three campuses and up to 18 data center buildings across a 700-acre site. A $15 billion hyperscale AI data center campus in Middlesex Township (near Carlisle) received approval for a 450-MW power substation, enabling the first building phase to start. The estimated impact: 30,000 peak construction jobs, $3B in construction spending, and 270 permanent operations jobs. Pennsylvania is rapidly becoming a major AI and hyperscale data center hub due to energy access and proximity to East Coast markets. READ MORE.

Major Electrical Grid Expansion for Energy Demand: A large infrastructure investment is underway to support new development. FirstEnergy announced a $950 million transmission upgrade program across Pennsylvania and Ohio. This includes: New Substations, Rebuilt Transmissions Lines and Upgraded Electrical Infrastructure. Much of this work is being driven by power demand from data centers, electrification, and new industrial development. READ MORE.

Safety Incident Halts Washinton County Demolition Project: A demolition project in Washington County was temporarily stopped after an excavator fell into a pit during demolition work at a county government complex. These incidents often trigger OSHA reviews and construction safety discussions statewide. READ MORE.

Teamwork Improves Safety – Join the KCA Safety Email list and receive the Monday morning Safety Toolbox Talk to start the week with safety on your mind. To join contact the KCA: Jon@KeystoneContractors.com.

PHOTO CAPTION: A sports trivia fundraiser was held this week that supported Blood Cancer United! Sports Trivia emcee KCA Executive Director Jon O’Brien with one of the celebrity question readers Pennsylvania State Senator Dawn Keefer.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending February 27, 2026

Here are the top stories this week:

State Investments Supporting Construction Growth: Pennsylvania’s PA SITES program awarded over $31 million to shovel-ready industrial sites, aiding major projects like Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson expansions. READ MORE.

Trends Affecting Construction Activity: There’s momentum behind life sciences and manufacturing facilities (e.g., multi-billion-dollar plants like Eli Lilly’s planned Lehigh Valley facility). READ MORE.

KCA’s AI Task Force Holds First Event: This week the KCA’s AI Task Force hosted its first educational offering. With industry professionals all over the place related to AI usage from not at all to using it, we decided to start at the foundational level with AI 101 For Construction Professionals. For the next educational offering, we’re going to dive deeper with a panel of experts with: The AI For Construction Series – Beyond the Basics (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-ai-for-construction-series-part-2-beyond-the-basics-tickets-1983535435884?aff=oddtdtcreator).

To view AI 101 For Construction Professionals visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv_3CvP0rVo

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

KCA’s Response to the SOTU Address: Pennsylvania is Poised for Growth Through Data Center Construction & Economic Development

Harrisburg, PA — Following the President’s State of the Union Address, the Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) reaffirmed its optimism about Pennsylvania’s economic outlook—particularly as it relates to data center construction, infrastructure investment, and workforce development over the next year.

“Pennsylvania is uniquely positioned to lead the next phase of economic growth,” said Jon O’Brien, Executive Director, KCA. “From our energy assets and transportation network to a skilled construction workforce, the Commonwealth has the fundamentals in place to attract major private investment—especially in data centers and advanced facilities.”

Data center construction continues to emerge as a major driver of economic development nationwide, and Pennsylvania is increasingly on the radar of developers seeking reliable power, proximity to major markets, and shovel-ready sites. These projects generate thousands of family-sustaining construction jobs, expand local tax bases, and spur long-term demand for maintenance, upgrades, and supporting infrastructure.

KCA emphasized that turning opportunity into reality will require coordination between public leaders and the private sector.

“To fully capitalize on this moment, policymakers must prioritize permitting efficiency, workforce pipeline investment, and infrastructure readiness,” O’Brien noted. “Smart, predictable policy creates certainty for owners and developers—and certainty is what brings projects to the ground.”

Looking ahead to the next year, KCA expects steady growth across commercial, industrial, and energy-related construction, provided regulatory hurdles are addressed and workforce challenges are met head-on. Continued investment in apprenticeship programs, career and technical education, and construction safety initiatives will be critical to meeting demand.

“KCA members are ready to build,” O’Brien added. “With the right policy environment, Pennsylvania can remain competitive, attract transformative projects like data centers, and ensure economic growth that benefits communities across the Commonwealth.”

About the Keystone Contractors Association
The Keystone Contractors Association represents construction professionals across Pennsylvania, advocating for policies that promote safe jobsites, workforce development, and sustainable economic growth.

Media Contact: Jon O’Brien, Executive Director, Keystone Contractors Association

Phone: 717-731-6272 | Jon@KeystoneContractors.com | http://www.KeystoneContractors.com

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending February 20, 2026

Here are the top Pennsylvania construction stories this week:

Johnson & Johnson Plans $1B Manufacturing Plant in Montgomery County: Global health care company Johnson & Johnson announced a more than $1 billion investment to build a next-generation cell therapy manufacturing facility in Lower Gwynedd Township. The project is expected to create over 4,000 construction jobs and about 500 permanent biomanufacturing positions, and is supported by state incentives from Pennsylvania. READ MORE.

State Senators from Both Sides of the Aisle Point to Barriers in Housing Construction: Pennsylvania legislators from both parties are calling attention to hurdles slowing housing development, saying “everything takes too damn long,” highlighting ongoing challenges in permitting and zoning that impact the construction sector. READ MORE.

KCA Scholarship Deadline Nearing – The deadline to submit in the 2026 KCA Scholarship Program is approaching… it’s March 1, 2026. Launched in 2022, this year’s KCA Scholarship awards will put the Association over $100,000. We see you next generation of construction leaders, and we want to help you succeed! For more information please visit: KCA Scholarship Program.

Scholarship recipients will be announced at this year’s Construction Celebration on June 8, 2026

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending February 13, 2026

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Here are the top Pennsylvania construction stories this week:

Pennsylvania Unveils Longterm Housing Action Plan: The biggest construction-related story this week is Gov. Josh Shapiro’s announcement of Pennsylvania’s first comprehensive Housing Action Plan — a multi-year strategy aimed at jumpstarting housing construction, rehabilitation, and affordability across the state. The plan calls for:

  • A $1 billion initiative to support homebuilding, infrastructure, and related projects.
  • Modernizing planning and zoning rules to cut red tape that slows construction.
  • Expanded renter protections and homebuyer support to increase housing access.
  • A goal of building hundreds of thousands of new housing units by 2035 to address the state’s housing shortage.

This housing plan initiative is intended to boost construction activity statewide — especially in the residential sector — and tackle long-standing affordability and supply bottlenecks that have constrained new build. READ MORE.

Local Data Center Rezoning Blocked – Impacts Construction Planning: In Montour County, local regulators voted to deny a rezoning request for a planned data center development near an existing energy plant — a decision that could reshape how technology-related construction projects proceed in the state.

  • The plan was tied to facilities that would support large tech infrastructure and AI-oriented construction.
  • Opposition from residents and officials over environmental and utility concerns played a key role in the rezoning denial.

While this isn’t traditional “building construction” like housing or commercial buildings, data center infrastructure is one of the fastest-growing segments of construction and can involve large-scale campuses with extensive planning, zoning, and utility requirements, so this decision is significant for the industry. READ MORE.

2026 Pennsylvania Construction Hike For Hope: The KCA is proud to announce it will once again partner with the Master Builders’ Association of Western PA to bring the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Construction Hike For Hope to Pennsylvania. As part of this effort, the KCA and MBA will jointly host the 2026 Pennsylvania Construction Hike For Hope on Saturday, May 16, with two locations across Pennsylvania:

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending February 6, 2026

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Here are the top stories from Pennsylvania:

New $3.5 B Lilly Manufacturing Facility Announced: Eli Lilly selected the Lehigh Valley for a major next-generation injectable medicines plant, expected to generate about 2,000 construction jobs. READ MORE.

Southern Berks Industrial Park Breaks Ground: Construction officially started on a massive 5.5 million-sq-ft Class A industrial park in Berks County, repurposing the former Bethlehem Steel site. Phase 1 aims for completion by late 2026, creating hundreds of construction jobs and boosting economic activity. READ MORE.

Pennsylvania Construction Industry Supports PA WORKS: KCA joins industry organizations in applauding State Representative Bryan Cutler for introducing legislation to launch Pennsylvania WORKS (Workforce, Opportunity, Retention & Knowledge Scholarships). Rep Cutler’s PA WORKS cosponsor memo. To read the KCA press release click here.

PHOTO CAPTION: Last week KCA representatives joined with Cumberland County elected officials and Cumberland Valley School District Directors for a tour of two of their construction projects – Green Ridge and Eagle View schools. Tours provided by Massaro Corporation and Lobar Inc.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

KCA Joins Construction Industry in Applauding Rep. Bryan Cutler’s Introduction of PA WORKS Scholarship Program

New initiative designed to address Pennsylvania’s growing construction workforce shortage.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) today announced its strong support for legislation introduced by Republican Education Chairman Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) to establish the PA WORKS Scholarship Program (Workforce, Opportunity, Retention and Knowledge Scholarship Program), a new initiative designed to address Pennsylvania’s growing construction workforce shortage.

The PA WORKS Scholarship Program would create a direct pipeline from education to employment by allowing eligible businesses to direct tax credits toward scholarships for students enrolled in construction-and skilled-trades-related programs through accredited construction management, safety or building science programs. With approximately 260,000 construction workers in Pennsylvania, the urgency to support students pursuing construction-related degrees grows with every retirement.

“Representative Cutler’s PA WORKS Scholarship Program is a smart, targeted investment that helps students access high-demand careers while ensuring employers have the skilled workforce they need,” said Jon O’Brien, Executive Director, Keystone Contractors Association. “Pennsylvania’s construction industry is facing a critical workforce shortage that threatens our ability to meet infrastructure, housing and economic development needs.”

Over 75 percent of Pennsylvania construction companies have reported difficulty filing open positions. By reducing financial barriers for students pursuing technical and professional degrees, PA WORKS Scholarship Program aims to expand access to family-sustaining careers in the construction industry and many organizations are excited about this new scholarship program.

“The backbone of our economy is built by skilled hands and informed minds. Like our apprenticeship programs, scholarships empower students to enter construction with confidence and technical excellence – and that strengthens every jobsite in America,” said William Sproule, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters.

“Scholarships open the door for talent that might otherwise be left out. By supporting young people pursuing construction degrees, we grow a workforce that’s stronger, more diverse, and equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s jobs,” said Jesse DiRenna, Business Manager, Operating Engineers Local 66.

“This legislation recognizes what contractors across the state already know: workforce development starts with education,” added Joseph Orr III, President, Keystone Contractors Association. “If we are serious about building Pennsylvania’s future, we must invest in the students preparing to lead it. Scholarships for construction degree students strengthen our workforce pipeline, raise safety and quality standards and ensure our industry has the talent it needs to deliver complex projects for decades to come.”

The Keystone Contractors Association commends Rep. Cutler for his leadership on workforce development and looks forward to working with legislators and stakeholders to advance the PA WORKS Scholarship Program (PA WORKS Scholarship Program Memo).

About KCA: The Keystone Contractors Association represents construction companies based across Pennsylvania, advocating for policies that promote growth in our Commonwealth, workforce development and a strong, sustainable construction industry. For more information, please visit www.KeystoneContractors.com or contact 717-731-6272  |  Jon@KeystoneContractors.com.