Uncategorized – Building Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Commercial Construction Intelligence Report for Week Ending September 25, 2026

Prepared for Pennsylvania Construction Leaders

Executive Summary

This week’s strongest construction story is the convergence of AI/data-center development and Pennsylvania’s power infrastructure.

The most important new development is in the Lehigh Valley: the U.S. Department of Energy announced up to $71.5 million for PPL Electric Utilities as part of a nearly $2 billion national grid-modernization effort. PPL plans to modernize roughly 30 miles of high-voltage transmission serving the Susquehanna Valley, Greater Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania. The federal initiative is explicitly tied to the need to expand grid capacity as electricity demand from AI data centers grows.

At the same time, a new 1-million-square-foot data center proposal surfaced in Forward Township, Butler County, while the controversial PAX-1 project in Cumberland County cleared another legal hurdle allowing construction to continue.

Industrial construction also remains active. Tandem Foods announced a $42 million expansion in O’Hara Township, adding 79,000 square feet and a new production line, while Gautier Steel received nearly $1.9 million in RISE PA funding to modernize its Johnstown mill.

On the public side, Gov. Shapiro announced $250 million for 79 Rapid Deployment transportation projects, the first tranche of a planned $775 million Motor License Fund investment over 18 months. The projects cover more than 400 miles in 44 counties, including a $12.9 million Route 378 project in Bethlehem that is already underway.

1. TOP STORY: $71.5M Federal Grid Investment Comes to PPL

DOE targets Pennsylvania power infrastructure as AI demand accelerates

The U.S. Department of Energy announced a nearly $2 billion national grid-modernization initiative this week, with up to $71.5 million going to Allentown-based PPL Electric Utilities.

PPL plans to modernize approximately 30 miles of high-voltage transmission infrastructure serving the Susquehanna Valley, Greater Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania.

The broader federal program is designed to increase grid capacity as electricity demand rises, particularly from AI data centers and other large electricity users.

U.S. Department of Energy / PPL grid investment coverage

Why it matters to Pennsylvania contractors

This is potentially more important to KCA members than another individual data-center announcement.

The data-center boom is creating a second construction market:

The infrastructure needed to power the buildings.

That includes:

Transmission
Substations
Distribution
Switchgear
Transformers
Utility-scale generation
Gas infrastructure
Electrical controls
Civil/site work

The takeaway

For the Lehigh Valley in particular, power infrastructure should now be considered a major commercial-construction indicator.

The question is increasingly not simply where will the next data center be?

It is:

Where will Pennsylvania build the power needed for the next generation of industrial development?

2. New 1-Million-Square-Foot Data Center Proposed in Butler County

A major new data-center proposal surfaced this week in Forward Township, Butler County.

The initial concept calls for a facility of approximately 1 million square feet on the former Misty Hollow farmland site.

The proposal was presented to the Forward Township Planning Commission this week, with local residents already expressing concerns about the project’s scale, traffic, environmental effects and proximity to homes.

WPXI — Forward Township data-center proposal

Why it matters

This is another example of how Pennsylvania’s data-center pipeline is moving from abstract proposals into local land-use battles.

Contractors should recognize the difference between:

announced project

and

construction-ready project.

The latter requires:

Local zoning approval
Site approvals
Environmental permits
Power arrangements
Financing
State compliance

The takeaway

The new Forward Township proposal is worth tracking, but it should not yet be treated as a construction project.

That distinction is increasingly important as Pennsylvania works through its large data-center pipeline.

3. PAX-1 Data Center Wins Another Legal Round

A Cumberland County judge ruled this week that construction of the controversial PAX-1 data center in Middlesex Township can continue while litigation proceeds.

Opponents had sought to stop construction, arguing in part that the project had not been properly disclosed to the public.

The judge concluded opponents did not appear likely to prevail on the merits at this stage.

Why it matters

PAX-1 is becoming an important case study for Pennsylvania’s new data-center environment.

It demonstrates that projects can face:

Local opposition
Litigation
Zoning challenges
Environmental concerns
Schedule risk

even after receiving preliminary approvals.

The takeaway

Regulatory and community risk should now be considered a construction-scheduling issue.

A project may have a contractor and financing but still face legal uncertainty that affects the timing of subcontractor work.

4. Tandem Foods Announces $42M Expansion in Allegheny County

Tandem Foods will invest $42 million to expand its O’Hara Township operations.

The company plans to lease an additional 79,000 square feet at 615 Alpha Drive and install a dedicated production line for cold-form nutritional bars.

The project is expected to:

Create 83 new jobs
Retain 446 existing jobs
Add 79,000 square feet of manufacturing capacity

Pennsylvania is supporting the project with a $420,000 Pennsylvania First grant.

Pennsylvania — Tandem Foods expansion announcement

Why it matters to contractors

This is exactly the type of industrial expansion that can produce work for:

Electrical contractors
Mechanical contractors
HVAC
Plumbing
Process systems
Food-processing specialists
Controls
Equipment installation
Interior construction

The takeaway

Industrial expansion remains one of Pennsylvania’s most reliable sources of commercial construction activity.

5. Nearly $1.9M RISE PA Grant to Modernize Johnstown Steel Mill

Gautier Steel was awarded $1,886,529 through Pennsylvania’s RISE PA program to modernize the reheat furnace at its Johnstown 14-inch bar mill.

The award is part of a broader $267 million investment in 31 manufacturing projects across Pennsylvania announced this week.

Gautier Steel — RISE PA modernization announcement

Why it matters

The project is another example of Pennsylvania investing in existing industrial infrastructure rather than simply pursuing greenfield development.

For contractors, that can mean:

Plant modernization
Equipment foundations
Electrical upgrades
Mechanical work
Process systems
Energy-efficiency improvements
Structural modifications

The takeaway

Industrial redevelopment continues to be a significant Pennsylvania construction opportunity.

6. $250M Rapid Deployment Program Moves Into Construction

Gov. Shapiro announced September 24 that the Commonwealth is deploying the first $250 million of a planned $775 million Motor License Fund investment over the next 18 months.

The initial program includes:

79 projects
44 counties
More than 400 miles of roadway

PennDOT says the announcement builds on approximately $4 billion in projects expected to go out for bid this year.

Pennsylvania Governor — Rapid Deployment Projects

Why it matters

This is a substantial public construction pipeline.

It means more work for:

Heavy highway contractors
Asphalt contractors
Concrete contractors
Bridge contractors
Traffic-control companies
Engineering firms
Equipment suppliers

KCA member opportunity

Although much of this is transportation rather than vertical construction, it matters to KCA because it competes for the same craft labor, equipment and project-management resources as private-sector projects.

7. Lehigh Valley Highlight: $12.9M Route 378 Project Underway

One of the Rapid Deployment projects already underway is Route 378 between U.S. 22 and the Hill-to-Hill Bridge in Bethlehem.

The $12.9 million project includes:

Milling and paving
Concrete patching
Base repairs
Joint repairs
Bridge deck repairs
Bridge overlays
Guide-rail upgrades
Pavement markings

Bethlehem

The general contractor is J.D. Eckman Inc., with completion anticipated in December 2027.

Why it matters

For the Lehigh Valley, this is an important infrastructure investment supporting the region’s broader industrial and commercial growth.

KCA angle: good transportation infrastructure is increasingly a prerequisite for attracting large manufacturing and industrial projects.

8. $107M Penn State Construction Pipeline Remains Significant

One of the most important institutional developments from the prior week remains highly relevant to this week’s market.

Penn State trustees approved $107.1 million in construction and renovation projects, including:

$65.3M Animal Diagnostic Laboratory addition
$16.6M Henderson Building renovation
$6M Applied Research Lab build-out
$19.1M Center for Manufacturing Competitiveness at Penn State Behrend

The Animal Diagnostic Lab addition is approximately 46,000 square feet, while the Behrend manufacturing center will total 31,000 square feet.

Why it matters

This is exactly the type of institutional + research + manufacturing construction that KCA should be tracking.

The Behrend project is particularly notable because it connects:

higher education + manufacturing + economic development + workforce development.

9. Healthcare: Penn Medicine Announces 18 Ambulatory Surgery Centers

Penn Medicine, Independence Blue Cross and Regent Surgical announced a strategic partnership this week that will support creation of at least 18 ambulatory surgery centers across Greater Philadelphia.

The partnership is designed to expand outpatient surgical capacity and bring services closer to patients.

Penn Medicine — Ambulatory Surgery Partnership

Why it matters

The announcement could eventually represent a significant healthcare construction pipeline.

Potential work includes:

New ASC construction
Medical-office renovations
Surgical suites
HVAC
Medical gases
Electrical
Plumbing
Fire protection
Specialized interiors
Infection-control systems

The takeaway

This is a story to track over multiple years.

The key question will be: Where will the 18 centers be located, and how quickly will they move from concept to construction?

10. Contractor & Developer Activity: Adaptive Reuse Remains a Theme

This week’s industrial stories reinforce an important trend:

Pennsylvania companies are increasingly adding capacity through existing buildings and industrial sites.

Examples include:

Tandem Foods — additional existing industrial space
Gautier Steel — modernization of existing plant
Project Phoenix — redevelopment of a former power site
Penn State — build-out of existing shell space

Why it matters

Adaptive reuse can be attractive because it can reduce:

Site-development costs
Permitting risk
Construction timelines
Utility-extension costs

But it often increases demand for specialty contractors because existing buildings require complicated upgrades.

11. Pennsylvania Regulatory Watch: GRID Rules Continue to Shape Data Centers

The Commonwealth’s Executive Order 2026-05 remains one of the most important regulatory developments affecting Pennsylvania’s commercial construction market.

The order requires new data-center proposals seeking state permits to comply with the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) Requirements and receive local approval before DEP issues permits.

Requirements address:

Energy costs
Environmental protection
Water conservation
Workforce development
Community engagement
Transparency

The order also removes data centers from Pennsylvania’s Permit Fast Track program.

This week, the State Planning Board specifically discussed implementation of the executive order.

Why it matters to contractors

The rules could affect:

project schedules → bid timing → subcontractor mobilization → construction start dates.

Contractors should therefore ask developers:

Where is this project in the GRID/local approval/DEP process?

before building aggressive schedules or staffing assumptions around it.

12. Workforce: The Construction Labor Problem Is Getting More Important

The latest national data continue to point to an unusually tight construction labor market.

Construction employment increased by 22,000 jobs in August, while the construction unemployment rate fell to 3.1%, the lowest rate in the history of the 26-year data series.

Nonresidential specialty contractors added 7,800 jobs during August and have added approximately 86,000 jobs over the past year.

Why it matters

Pennsylvania’s industrial and infrastructure pipeline is growing at exactly the same time that contractors are having difficulty finding workers.

That makes workforce capacity a potential ceiling on construction growth.

13. Apprenticeship: Pennsylvania’s Workforce Investment Is Growing

Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 budget increased annual workforce-development investment to approximately $193 million, a 60% increase since the beginning of the Shapiro administration.

The state reports that 266 new apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs have been registered since January 2023, with nearly 44,000 Pennsylvanians participating in these pathways.

The Commonwealth’s apprenticeship system currently lists approximately:

880 program sponsors
1,648 registered apprenticeship programs
17,007 active apprentices

The takeaway

This is a major opportunity for KCA to continue connecting:

contractors + unions + CTE + community colleges + apprenticeship programs.

The economic-development story and workforce story are becoming inseparable.

14. Construction Cost Trend: Materials Continue to Pressure Margins

The latest August data show construction input prices increased 1.2% in one month.

Year over year:

Overall construction inputs: +8.9%
Nonresidential construction inputs: +8.8%
Steel mill products: +23.4%
Copper/brass mill shapes: +20.9%
Aluminum mill shapes: +27.3%
Diesel fuel: +77.8%

AGC reports that 55% of surveyed contractors had projects canceled, postponed or scaled back during the past six months, with rising costs cited as a significant factor.

Why it matters

For Pennsylvania contractors, this reinforces the need to pay close attention to:

Escalation clauses
Procurement timing
Long-lead equipment
Subcontractor pricing
Contingencies
GMP risk
Change-order language

Strong backlog does not automatically equal strong margins.

KCA MARKET SCORECARD

Sector	Outlook	KCA Assessment
Data Centers	🟢 Very Strong	Huge pipeline, increasing regulatory scrutiny
Power Infrastructure	🟢 Exceptional	Major emerging market
Advanced Manufacturing	🟢 Strong	Continued PA investment
Healthcare	🟢 Strong	New ASC pipeline could be significant
Higher Education	🟢 Strong	Penn State and other institutional work
Public Infrastructure	🟢 Very Strong	$775M accelerated program
Adaptive Reuse	🟢 Growing	Strong industrial opportunity
Traditional Office	🔴 Challenged	Limited momentum
Skilled Labor	🔴 Critical	Biggest capacity constraint
Materials	🔴 High Risk	8.8% nonresidential inflation

KCA: 5 Things to Watch Next

1. PPL’s $71.5M Grid Investment

This should be KCA’s top infrastructure watch item.

Track:

Which transmission segments are upgraded
Construction timelines
Procurement opportunities
Contractor involvement
Additional PPL investment
New large-load interconnections

The bigger question is whether this is the beginning of a much larger Pennsylvania power-construction cycle.

2. Forward Township Data Center

Watch whether the 1-million-square-foot proposal moves from:

concept → planning → zoning → local approval → GRID compliance → DEP permitting.

It is a useful test of Pennsylvania’s new data-center environment.

3. Penn Medicine’s 18-ASC Pipeline

The healthcare announcement could develop into a significant multi-year construction pipeline across Greater Philadelphia.

KCA should track locations, project sizes and delivery schedules as they become public.

4. Industrial Adaptive Reuse

Watch for more companies choosing to expand inside existing Pennsylvania industrial buildings.

The combination of:

available industrial real estate + existing utilities + skilled workforce + economic-development incentives

could create a significant amount of renovation and specialty-trade work.

5. Labor Capacity vs. Project Volume

This may be the most important issue for KCA over the next 12–24 months.

Pennsylvania is accelerating:

Data centers
Power infrastructure
Manufacturing
Healthcare
Higher education
Transportation

But contractors are already reporting difficulty finding workers.

The Commonwealth may have enough projects to create a construction boom—but not enough skilled workers to build all of them simultaneously.

Bottom Line

Pennsylvania’s construction story is increasingly becoming a power-and-industrial story.

This week’s $71.5 million PPL grid investment, the new Butler County data-center proposal, Tandem Foods’ $42 million expansion, Gautier Steel’s modernization funding and the Commonwealth’s $775 million accelerated transportation program all point in the same direction:

Pennsylvania is entering a period of significant infrastructure and industrial investment.

For KCA members, the opportunity is substantial.

But three constraints will determine how much of that opportunity actually becomes construction:

1. Power capacity
2. Skilled labor
3. Permitting/regulatory predictability

Those three issues should remain at the center of KCA’s construction intelligence and advocacy agenda heading into October.

Pennsylvania Commercial Construction Intelligence Report for Week Ending September 18, 2026

Prepared for Construction Executives

Executive Summary

This week’s biggest story is not another proposed data center—it is the continued conversion of Pennsylvania’s industrial and energy infrastructure into the physical backbone for AI and advanced manufacturing.

The headline is Project Phoenix, the 2-GW Aligned Data Centers campus that broke ground September 10 in Shippingport, Beaver County. The three-building campus is expected to support roughly 3,000 construction jobs and drive an estimated $10 billion in regional investment. It will use dedicated onsite power and a closed-loop cooling system designed to require zero operational cooling water.

But there are two other developments KCA should pay close attention to:

Pennsylvania announced $32 million in federal funding for publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure in eastern Pennsylvania, with applications open through March 12, 2027.
The Commonwealth awarded more than $25.4 million to 14 community colleges for capital projects and renovations, including public-safety training, facility modernization, ADA work and deferred maintenance.

On the market side, data shows contractor backlog rebounded to 8.5 months, but labor shortages are re-emerging as a major concern. It is believed that roughly one in six construction companies now has data-center work under contract, the highest share on record.

1. TOP STORY: Project Phoenix Breaks Ground in Beaver County

A 2-GW data-center campus begins construction

Aligned Data Centers broke ground September 10 on Project Phoenix, a planned 2-GW data-center campus in Shippingport. The three-facility campus will be built on the former Bruce Mansfield coal-fired power plant site within the Shippingport Industrial Park.

Aligned estimates:

$10 billion in regional economic investment
Approximately 3,000 construction jobs
More than 640 permanent operational jobs
Three data-center facilities
Dedicated onsite power
Closed-loop cooling requiring zero water for operational cooling

Beaver County Radio — Project Phoenix groundbreaking

Why it matters to Pennsylvania contractors

This is potentially one of the largest construction projects in Western Pennsylvania’s history. The construction opportunity extends well beyond the data-center buildings:

Site preparation
Demolition/redevelopment of industrial property
Excavation
Concrete
Structural steel
Electrical distribution
High-voltage electrical
Mechanical
Cooling systems
Fire protection
Security
Telecommunications
Roads
Utilities
Power generation

The bigger Construction story

Project Phoenix is important because it combines three Pennsylvania construction trends in one project:

Legacy industrial site + AI/data center + dedicated power

That could become a model for other Pennsylvania communities with former power plants, industrial sites and available energy infrastructure.

2. Data Centers Are Becoming an Energy-Infrastructure Story

The Phoenix groundbreaking comes just days after Pennsylvania’s Public Utility Commission forecast extraordinarily rapid growth in industrial electricity demand. The PUC projects industrial electricity demand to grow an average 18.56% annually through 2030, largely because of large-load customers such as data centers. In the PPL Electric territory, industrial demand is projected to increase approximately 51% annually. The PUC also identified approximately $3.56 billion in Pennsylvania transmission projects in PJM’s 2025 Regional Transmission Expansion Plan.

Why it matters – this suggests a major strategic opportunity:

The construction market created by AI may be substantially larger than the data-center buildings themselves.

Expect demand for:

Transmission
Substations
Generation
Distribution
Natural gas
Transformers
Switchgear
Backup generation
Electrical controls
Civil/site infrastructure

Construction takeaway: Contractors that don’t traditionally build data centers should still be watching the power infrastructure market created by data-center demand.

3. Pennsylvania Invests $32 Million in EV Charging Infrastructure

PennDOT announced September 17 that Pennsylvania will direct $32 million in federal funding toward publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure in eastern Pennsylvania through the Community Charging phase of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.

Applications are being accepted through March 12, 2027.

PennDOT — EV Charging Investment

Why it matters

This creates another infrastructure market involving:

Electrical contractors
Site development
Concrete
Excavation
Utility connections
EV charging equipment
Traffic/parking improvements

For KCA members, it is particularly relevant because the funding is spread across eastern Pennsylvania, including the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia-area markets.

4. $25.4 Million for Community College Construction and Renovation

The Shapiro administration announced more than $25.4 million in capital funding for 14 Pennsylvania community colleges this week. The money will support:

New facilities
Workforce-training facilities
Major repairs
Deferred maintenance
Renovations
ADA improvements
Life-safety upgrades

The investment includes $2.2 million for Community College of Allegheny County access-control/security work and $3.9 million for Public Safety Training Institute renovations.

Pennsylvania Department of Education — Community College Capital Funding

Why it matters

This is particularly important for KCA because community colleges increasingly serve as construction workforce-development partners.

The investment creates a positive feedback loop:

Construction projects → modern training facilities → more skilled workers → greater Pennsylvania construction capacity

5. Manufacturing Opportunity: $50 Million Investment Being Considered in Bensalem

A New York-based manufacturer is reportedly considering relocating its headquarters into a vacant 300,000-square-foot building in Trevose/Bensalem Township.

The company is proposing:

More than $50 million in investment
Approximately 300 jobs
Interior improvements to the existing building

The project is being considered for a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) arrangement, with approval needed from the township, school district and Bucks County.

Lower Bucks Times — Bensalem manufacturing proposal

Why it matters

This is an excellent example of industrial adaptive reuse. Rather than constructing a new 300,000-square-foot facility, the company could reuse an existing building. That means potential work for:

Electrical
HVAC
Plumbing
Interior construction
Manufacturing infrastructure
Process equipment
Fire protection
Building-envelope improvements

Construction takeaway

The fact that Bensalem officials are concerned the property could otherwise become a data center illustrates how data centers are beginning to compete directly with manufacturers for Pennsylvania industrial real estate.

6. Higher Education: York Suburban High School Project Awarded for $67.4 Million

The long-awaited York Suburban High School additions and renovation project has now moved from bidding to award. The latest project information shows:

Contractor	Scope	Award
Lobar Inc.	General Construction	$37.39M
MYCO Mechanical	HVAC	$11.15M
MYCO Mechanical	Plumbing	$6.29M
Lobar Inc.	Electrical	$12.56M
Total		$67.39M

The total is approximately $4.6 million above the earlier estimated construction cost of $62.8 million.

Why it matters

This is a significant institutional construction award and a reminder that education construction remains an important market even when private commercial activity is uneven.

It also demonstrates the value of tracking projects from:

announcement → design → bid → award → construction.

7. Penn State and Other Institutional Work Continues

Penn State continues to maintain a substantial capital-project pipeline across University Park and Commonwealth campuses, including utility, electrical, building-renewal and renovation projects.

For KCA members, the significance is less about one individual project and more about the recurring nature of university capital spending.

Penn State — Construction & Trade Bid Opportunities

Why it matters

Institutional work can provide contractors with diversification from:

Data centers
Private industrial work
Office construction

It also produces a steady stream of specialty-trade opportunities.

8. Contractor Market: Backlog Rebounds—but Labor Is the Problem

The industry is reporting backlog rebounding to 8.5 months in August, up 0.5 months from July and equal to August 2025. But there is a critical caveat: Roughly 1 in 6 contractors now has data-center work under contract – that is the highest proportion ever recorded; and data-center contractors have 9.9 months of backlog while contractors without data-center work have 8.3 months. Construction job openings remain near a two-year high as labor shortages are re-emerging as a major concern.

Why it matters

This is probably the most important national construction-market indicator for KCA members this week. The market isn’t simply “strong.”

It’s increasingly:

Data center/energy/industrial strong

versus

other-market mixed.

And even where demand is strong, contractors may not have enough workers to execute the work.

11. Construction Materials: Cost Pressure Is Back

Construction input prices rose 1.2% in August, with nonresidential construction inputs also increasing 1.2%.

Year over year:

Construction inputs: +8.9%
Nonresidential construction inputs: +8.8%

Crude petroleum prices rose 5.2% during the month.

Why it matters

This is a major estimating issue. Contractors should be cautious about:

Long-duration GMPs
Material escalation
Steel/copper exposure
Fuel costs
Equipment costs
Subcontractor pricing

KCA takeaway

The combination of strong backlog + labor shortages + 8.8% nonresidential input inflation is a recipe for margin pressure if contractors don’t properly price risk.

12. Regulatory Watch: Chesapeake Bay/Stormwater Requirements

A new federal action rescinding the 2009 Chesapeake Bay executive order has prompted Pennsylvania lawmakers to question whether the Commonwealth should continue certain Chesapeake-specific stormwater requirements.

Rep. Brenda Pugh called on DEP to review the state’s requirements following the federal action.

Why it matters

Stormwater requirements can directly affect:

Site development
Industrial construction
Commercial development
Municipal infrastructure
Permitting timelines
Project costs

Important: The federal action does not automatically eliminate Pennsylvania’s existing stormwater/MS4 requirements. Any change would require Pennsylvania regulatory or legislative action.

KCA takeaway

This is a watch item, not a change in law.

KCA should monitor DEP and legislative action before assuming any existing requirement has changed.

KCA MARKET SCORECARD

Sector	Outlook	KCA Assessment
Data Centers	🟢 Very Strong	Huge pipeline, but regulatory scrutiny
Power Infrastructure	🟢 Very Strong	Emerging major construction market
Advanced Manufacturing	🟢 Strong	Increasing investment
Healthcare	🟢 Strong	Stable institutional demand
Higher Education	🟢 Stable/Strong	Significant capital pipeline
Public Infrastructure	🟢 Strong	Consistent funding
Adaptive Reuse	🟢 Growing	Increasingly attractive
Traditional Office	🔴 Challenged	Continued caution
Skilled Labor	🔴 Critical	Biggest capacity constraint
Materials	🔴 Watch	8.8% YoY nonresidential inflation

KCA’s 5 Things to Watch Next

1. Project Phoenix’s Construction Supply Chain

The next question is who gets the work.

KCA should watch for:

Prime contractor packages
Local subcontractor opportunities
Apprenticeship commitments
Electrical packages
Mechanical packages
Civil/site work
Power infrastructure

This project could become a major case study for how Pennsylvania captures the construction benefits of AI investment.

2. The First Major Data Center to Navigate Pennsylvania’s GRID Framework

Project Phoenix is now the most important project to watch in this regard.

KCA should monitor how:

Local approval
State permitting
Workforce requirements
Energy commitments
Community benefits

translate into actual construction schedules.

3. Pennsylvania’s Power Construction Pipeline

The PUC’s electricity-demand forecast should push generation, transmission and distribution toward the top of KCA’s policy and business-development agenda.

The question to watch:

Will Pennsylvania build power infrastructure fast enough to support the industrial growth being proposed?

4. Industrial Adaptive Reuse

The Bensalem proposal—and the broader redevelopment of former industrial sites—deserves attention.

Pennsylvania has thousands of acres of legacy industrial property that could potentially be repurposed for:

Manufacturing
Logistics
Energy
Data centers
Life sciences

This could become a major source of construction work without requiring entirely new greenfield development.

5. Labor Shortages vs. Project Pipeline

This may ultimately be the limiting factor.

Data shows data-center work expanding while contractors are again reporting labor shortages.

For KCA, this reinforces the importance of:

Apprenticeships
CTE
Pre-apprenticeships
Contractor workforce partnerships
Promoting construction careers
Retaining experienced craft workers

Bottom Line

Pennsylvania’s commercial construction market is moving into an increasingly industrial and infrastructure-heavy cycle.

Project Phoenix is the headline, but the bigger story is the convergence of AI, power, manufacturing, institutional investment and workforce demand.

The Commonwealth is simultaneously:

Building data centers
Expanding power infrastructure
Attracting advanced manufacturing
Funding community-college facilities
Investing in EV infrastructure
Rehabilitating major transportation assets

The challenge is increasingly execution.

Pennsylvania has the projects and the investment. The question is whether the Commonwealth has enough power, permitting capacity, skilled workers and contractors to build them.

For KCA, that makes workforce development, apprenticeship expansion, predictable permitting and infrastructure investment the most important issues to carry into the fall.

Pennsylvania Commercial Construction Intelligence Report for Week Ending August 28, 2026

Prepared for Pennsylvania’s Construction Leaders

Executive Summary

This week’s Pennsylvania construction market was defined by three major themes: data-center regulation, industrial investment and a construction market that is increasingly divided between high-growth and slower segments.

The most consequential development remains Gov. Josh Shapiro’s new data-center rules. The administration says more than 100 data-center proposals have been reported in Pennsylvania, but only five currently have all permits needed for their first phase. The new rules remove data centers from the state’s Fast Track permitting process and require local approval and legally binding commitments on energy, environmental protection, workforce and community engagement.

At the same time, new industrial and commercial developments continue to move forward. A $2.1 million manufacturing expansion in Hanover, a $500 million-plus Northeast Philadelphia marina/mixed-use project, and the opening of a 450,000-square-foot adaptive-reuse commercial development in Washington County were among this week’s notable developments.

The broader market is sending a more complicated signal: Pennsylvania construction employment was essentially flat in July and down 0.8% year over year, while national contractor backlog has fallen to its lowest level since January. Data-center contractors, however, continue to report substantially stronger backlogs than contractors without data-center work.

1. Data Centers: Pennsylvania’s New Rules Are Starting to Reshape the Market

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s August 18 executive order continues to dominate Pennsylvania construction policy discussions as reported in last week’s Commercial Construction (please review for specific changes to data-center permitting). This week, new reporting examined how the rules will actually affect construction and whether the state’s approach could slow or eliminate speculative projects. Pennsylvania Governor — Data Center Executive Order

Why it matters to KCA contractors

This could be a major change to Pennsylvania’s largest emerging private construction market. The new framework potentially means:

More preconstruction work: Developers will need to solve power, permitting, workforce and community issues earlier.
Fewer speculative projects: Some proposals may never reach construction.
Longer schedules: Local and state approvals could become a greater source of schedule risk.
More infrastructure work: Developers responsible for power and related infrastructure could generate additional electrical, utility, civil and energy construction.
Potential advantage for established contractors: Contractors with strong workforce, safety and apprenticeship capabilities may be better positioned for projects that survive the new approval process.

Due to public opposition to data centers, the construction industry should pay close attention to the community-benefit component of future projects. Data centers that demonstrate the following will likely have an easier path than projects viewed as speculative or primarily benefiting an outside developer:

Pennsylvania jobs
Apprenticeship opportunities
Local subcontracting
Tax revenue
Infrastructure investment
Responsible energy planning

2. $2.1 Million Hanover Manufacturing Expansion

Gerard Daniel Worldwide will invest $2.1 million to expand its manufacturing operation in Hanover.

The project includes:

Building infrastructure upgrades
A new electrical transformer
New manufacturing equipment

The Commonwealth is providing $200,000 toward the project.

The expansion is expected to create 35 new jobs while retaining 107 existing positions. Pennsylvania says it competed with Texas to secure the investment.

Pennsylvania DCED — Gerard Daniel Expansion

Why it matters

This is an excellent example of the type of mid-sized industrial construction that can provide opportunities across Pennsylvania without the enormous scale and regulatory uncertainty surrounding data centers.

For contractors, projects like this generate work in:

Electrical
Site work
Building renovations
Manufacturing infrastructure
Equipment installation
Mechanical systems

3. $80 Million Northeast Philadelphia Marina/Mixed-Use Project

Developers of One River Marina in Northeast Philadelphia are seeking financing for a project that has grown to nearly $80 million.

The proposed development includes:

A full-service marina
Four restaurants
An event space
Yacht club facilities

The owners are pursuing Opportunity Zone designation to help attract private investment.

Philadelphia Business Journal — One River Marina Project

Why it matters

This is a useful counterpoint to the data-center-heavy narrative.

Pennsylvania’s commercial construction pipeline also includes hospitality, entertainment, waterfront redevelopment and mixed-use projects, particularly in Philadelphia.

It also demonstrates the continued importance of financing conditions. The project needs additional capital before it can translate into a major construction opportunity.

4. Former Washington Crown Center Reborn as 450,000-Square-Foot Commercial Campus

Industrial Realty Group and PREP Funds announced the opening of the 100,000-square-foot retail phase of Franklin Crossroads Park in North Franklin Township.

The project represents an extensive 450,000-square-foot adaptive-reuse redevelopment of the former Washington Crown Center shopping mall.

The retail component is reportedly 98% leased, while other commercial opportunities remain available.

Industrial Realty Group — Franklin Crossroads Park redevelopment

Why it matters

Adaptive reuse is becoming an increasingly important commercial construction category.

Instead of building entirely new structures, developers are:

Repositioning dead malls
Reusing industrial properties
Converting obsolete commercial buildings
Creating mixed-use campuses

That creates opportunities for contractors in demolition, structural modifications, MEP upgrades, interiors, site work and tenant improvements.

5. York Suburban High School Project Represents $62.8 Million Construction Opportunity

A newly updated project listing for York Suburban High School additions and renovations shows estimated construction costs of approximately $62.8 million:

Trade	Estimated Cost
General Construction	$34.2M
HVAC	$12.4M
Electrical	$10.4M
Plumbing	$5.8M
Total	$62.8M

The project includes demolition, site work, additions and renovations. As of the August 25 update, the project had not yet been awarded.

ConstructConnect — York Suburban High School Project

Why it matters

This is exactly the type of institutional project KCA members should be tracking.

The project illustrates the continued pipeline for:

General contractors
HVAC contractors
Electrical contractors
Plumbers
Site contractors
Specialty trades

It also demonstrates that education construction remains a meaningful source of work even while some private commercial segments are slowing.

6. Penn State Capital Projects Continue to Move Through Procurement

Penn State University continues to maintain a substantial construction pipeline.

Current projects include:

Thompson Hall improvements
Hammond Building demolition and site restoration
Capital Systems Renewal Program electrical construction
Steam Lines/O Street Pipe Repairs at Penn State Harrisburg
Deike Building steel piping replacement
Altoona projects

Penn State’s official project database shows multiple projects in bidding, prequalification or award stages.

The Harrisburg steam-line project involved underground hot-water piping replacement and chilled-water expansion, with a bid package valued as a capital project and a bid deadline of August 25.

Penn State — Trade/Bid Packages

Why it matters

Higher education provides a recurring, diversified construction pipeline that includes both large capital projects and smaller renovation/mechanical packages.

7. Near-Term Public Bid Opportunities

Several projects are either closing bids now or entering the procurement pipeline.

Pittsburgh — Sheraden Park Phase 1

The City of Pittsburgh is seeking a general contractor for Phase 1 construction at Sheraden Park.

Scope includes:

Excavation
Grading
Sanitary sewer
Concrete
Asphalt paving
Fencing

The bid deadline is August 28.

Dunmore Carpet Factory Renovation

A major renovation and site-work solicitation for the former Dunmore Carpet Factory has a mandatory pre-bid meeting August 28 and bids due September 22.

The project is subject to Pennsylvania prevailing-wage requirements.

Pittsburgh VA — HVAC/RO Upgrade

The Department of Veterans Affairs has a solicitation for AHU and reverse-osmosis system upgrades at a Pittsburgh facility, with a response deadline of August 27.

Why it matters

The public market continues to offer a steady stream of work across Pennsylvania, particularly in:

Education
Healthcare
Municipal facilities
HVAC/mechanical
Parks and recreation
Infrastructure

8. Pennsylvania’s Construction Employment Picture Is Mixed

The latest BLS data show Pennsylvania had approximately 261,400 construction jobs in July, down slightly from June and 0.8% below July 2025.

At the same time, the state’s overall unemployment rate fell to 3.9%, the first time it has been below 4% since October 2024.

Why it matters

A 3.9% overall unemployment rate means contractors are competing for workers in a tight labor market even though construction employment itself isn’t growing.

This reinforces the importance of:

Apprenticeships
Recruitment
Retention
Career and technical education
Pre-apprenticeship
Workforce partnerships

9. OSHA Silica Enforcement Highlights Continuing Safety Risk

OSHA cited General Shale Brick at its Watsontown plant for alleged respirable-silica violations.

OSHA proposed penalties totaling $496,528, citing three willful, four serious, one repeat and one other-than-serious violation.

OSHA enforcement information

Why it matters to construction

Although this is a manufacturing facility rather than a construction site, silica exposure is a major issue for construction contractors performing:

Concrete cutting
Saw cutting
Masonry
Grinding
Demolition
Drilling

The enforcement action is a useful reminder that OSHA continues to focus heavily on respirable silica exposure and the adequacy of engineering controls, respiratory protection and medical surveillance.

10. $80 Million+ Rail Investment Continues Supporting Pennsylvania Construction

The Commonwealth announced this week that expanded Pennsylvanian passenger rail service between Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Philadelphia and New York will begin in November.

The project is supported by more than $80 million in Commonwealth investment, with construction already underway or completed.

Pennsylvania previously secured $143 million in federal passenger-rail funding for infrastructure and safety improvements along the Pittsburgh Line.

Pennsylvania Governor — Expanded Pennsylvanian Service

Why it matters

Rail investment has implications beyond passenger service.

Improved rail infrastructure supports:

Industrial development
Manufacturing
Logistics
Freight movement
Site selection

For contractors, it also represents another source of infrastructure work competing for heavy-civil and specialty-trade capacity.

KCA’s 5 Things to Watch Next

1. Data Center Projects That Survive the New Rules

The key question is no longer how many data centers have been proposed.

It is:

Which projects have the power, financing, local approvals and community support to actually build?

Watch for project cancellations, redesigns, local zoning actions and new power agreements.

2. The First Major Project to Move Through Pennsylvania’s New GRID Process

The first major data-center project to navigate the new rules will provide an important precedent for developers, utilities and contractors.

It could establish how much additional time and documentation the new process adds.

3. Industrial Development Beyond Data Centers

The Gerard Daniel expansion and the broader manufacturing pipeline suggest that advanced manufacturing deserves more attention from KCA contractors.

Watch for additional projects in:

Pharmaceuticals
Life sciences
Advanced materials
Energy equipment
Robotics
Semiconductor-related manufacturing

4. Education & Healthcare Capital Spending

The York Suburban project and Penn State’s continuing procurement pipeline demonstrate that institutional construction remains active.

KCA should continue tracking:

School construction
University capital plans
Hospital expansions
Medical facilities
CTE facilities

These projects could provide important diversification for contractors whose private-sector backlog is softening.

5. Contractor Backlog Heading Into 2027

The decline to 8.0 months of national backlog deserves continued attention.

KCA should watch whether Pennsylvania contractors begin reporting:

Slower bidding
Increased competition
Margin pressure
Delayed private projects
More aggressive pursuit of public work

The data-center versus non-data-center backlog gap is particularly important for understanding which contractors are positioned well for 2027.

Bottom Line

Pennsylvania’s construction market remains active—but it is becoming increasingly selective.

The data-center boom continues to generate enormous potential, but Pennsylvania’s new regulatory framework means power, permitting, community support and workforce commitments are now part of the construction equation.

At the same time, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, higher education, public construction and adaptive reuse are providing important alternatives.

For constructioncompanies, the message heading into the fall is straightforward:

Don’t just watch where the money is being announced. Watch which projects can actually get permitted, financed, staffed and built.

That distinction will become increasingly important as Pennsylvania’s commercial construction market heads toward 2027.

Keystone Contractors Association Staff Certified to Deliver VitalCog Suicide Prevention Training to Pennsylvania Construction Industry

Program aims to address alarming mental health and suicide rates among construction workers

The Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) announced that they are now officially certified to teach VitalCog: Suicide Prevention in the Workplace, a nationally recognized training program specifically designed for the construction industry.

The certification marks another major step in KCA’s ongoing commitment to improving mental health awareness and suicide prevention efforts across Pennsylvania’s construction workforce.

The announcement comes on the heels of the successful 2nd Annual AFSP Construction Hike for Hope, which brought together construction professionals, labor leaders, contractors, and advocates across the state to raise awareness surrounding mental health and suicide prevention in the industry.

“Construction workers face unique pressures both on and off the jobsite, and the statistics surrounding suicide in our industry are impossible to ignore,” said Jon O’Brien, Executive Director, KCA. “By becoming a certified VitalCog instructor, I can now provide companies with practical tools and training that help workers recognize warning signs, start conversations, and connect people with support before a crisis occurs.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the construction industry consistently experiences one of the highest suicide rates among all occupations in the United States. Studies have shown construction workers are at a significantly greater risk due to factors including high stress, chronic pain, substance misuse, financial pressures, long hours, and stigma surrounding mental health discussions.

Additional national research has found:

More than 5,000 construction workers die by suicide each year in the United States.
The suicide rate among construction and extraction workers is among the highest of any major occupational group.
An estimated one in five construction workers struggles with mental health challenges.
Many workers report they are more comfortable discussing physical injuries than mental health concerns.

VitalCog training is designed specifically for construction workplaces and focuses on:

Recognizing the warning signs of suicide risk
How to start supportive conversations
Reducing stigma surrounding mental health
Connecting workers to available resources and assistance

KCA is now scheduling VitalCog training sessions for construction companies, contractors, associations, apprenticeship programs, and industry organizations throughout Pennsylvania.

The training can be delivered as a stand-alone workshop or incorporated into existing safety meetings, workforce development programs, or company wellness initiatives.

“Safety in construction goes beyond hard hats and harnesses,” O’Brien added. “Protecting the mental health of our workforce is just as important as protecting physical safety on the jobsite.”

For more information or to schedule a VitalCog training session, contact the KCA at Jon@KeystoneContractors.com.

About the Keystone Contractors Association

The Keystone Contractors Association represents Pennsylvania’s construction employers and works to promote workforce development, jobsite safety, industry advocacy, and contractor support throughout the Commonwealth.

Podcast Episode: Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending May 22, 20

Pip: Memorial Day weekend, a Supreme Court ruling that contractors are calling "dodging a bullet," and a data center boom that apparently cannot be stopped — Building Pennsylvania has had a busy week.

Mara: That's the territory we're covering today, from buildingpa's weekly recap: a landmark legal decision, the AI infrastructure surge, and cities finding new uses for old office towers. Let's start with the week's top construction stories.

Pennsylvania's Week in Construction

Pip: This week's recap opens with something that had the industry watching closely — a Pennsylvania Supreme Court case that could have exposed contractors to liability on projects completed decades ago.

Mara: The case is Clearfield County v. Transystems Corp., involving a jail project completed in 1981, and the Court's ruling is direct: "Pennsylvania's 12-year construction statute of repose cannot be bypassed by government entities using the doctrine of nullum tempus."

Pip: So the upshot is that public owners cannot simply claim the clock never started running on their construction claims. Without that ruling, a county could theoretically have sued over work done forty-plus years prior.

Mara: The Keystone Contractors Association filed an amicus brief in the case, and the Court's opinion specifically acknowledged KCA's participation. KCA followed up by hosting a seminar on the decision — titled "We Dodged A Bullet" — which tells you something about the stakes.

Pip: That title is doing a lot of honest work.

Mara: Beyond the legal front, the recap also covers the AI and data center construction boom, which the post describes as the largest story in Pennsylvania construction right now. State lawmakers are debating new regulations tied to energy use, utility infrastructure, and clean-energy requirements for hyperscale facilities.

Pip: And major projects tied to Amazon Web Services and the Homer City redevelopment are driving significant labor demand across the trades — so this isn't abstract policy, it's active job volume.

Mara: The third story is office-to-residential conversion. A 120-year-old office tower in Downtown Pittsburgh is being converted into affordable housing through a thirty-million-dollar redevelopment project. The recap frames adaptive reuse as accelerating across Pennsylvania cities broadly, not just Pittsburgh.

Pip: Three very different pressures — legal exposure, energy infrastructure, housing supply — all landing in the same weekly digest.

Mara: That's the range the industry is navigating right now.

Pip: Legal clocks, data center power grids, century-old buildings finding second lives — Pennsylvania construction is carrying a lot at once.

Mara: More to follow as those regulatory debates and conversion projects develop. We'll be back next week.

KCA’s 2025 Year in Review

2025 was a standout year for the Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) — one defined by consistent advocacy, deepened community impact, unwavering focus on safety, and steady reinforcement of its role as a leading voice for Pennsylvania’s commercial construction industry.

Under the leadership from the KCA Board of Directors and its staff, KCA continued to deliver on its core pillars: safety, education & training, labor relations, community service, and government relations. The association maintained its reputation for practical, people-centered initiatives while expanding its reach across the Commonwealth.

Key highlights that defined the year included:

Safety remained front and center — From weekly toolbox talks and ongoing initiatives to stocking active jobsites with naloxone through partnerships with the PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP). KCA played a key role in distributing life-saving overdose reversal medication, with over 400,000 doses provided statewide in the first half of 2025 alone. This built on KCA’s long-standing commitment to protecting workers both on the jobsite and in their communities.
Community engagement and giving back — Through programs like ACE Mentor Program, the KCA Scholarship Program and participation in other industry initiatives like neighborhood cleanups and toy drives, the association strengthened its “building better communities” ethos. Events and outreach emphasized workforce development, career pathways, and support for local projects that benefit Pennsylvania residents.
Education, events, and advocacy — KCA kept up a strong cadence of webinars, training sessions, and industry events, including collaborations in the area of mental health awareness for example. Weekly recaps and newsletters kept members informed on top Pennsylvania construction stories, labor updates, and policy developments. The year wrapped with festive holiday gatherings (including the notable AEC Holiday Event in mid-December) and a forward-looking tone celebrating the progress made.
Member growth and influence — As part of industry and business coalitions, from educational groups helping to build a strong workforce to business organizations uniting to form good public policy, KCA continued to advocate effectively for the industry, fostering strong government and stakeholder relationships while championing continuing education and project excellence.

In essence, 2025 was the year KCA solidified its foundation — not through dramatic overhauls, but through reliable execution, meaningful partnerships, and real-world impact that made construction safer, smarter, and more community-oriented across Pennsylvania.

The association heads into 2026 positioned stronger than ever, with the same positive, confident energy that has become its trademark: KCA Builds PA — and it built exceptionally well in 2025.

Here’s to carrying that momentum forward!

NFL Playoffs Continue – What Can We Learn from the Recent Games

The NFL playoffs continue, as we are now awaiting today’s AFC and NFC Conference Championship games. There are two good games scheduled for today with the Eagles and 49ers playing first and then the Chiefs take on the Bengals. But before we look ahead, let’s look back at last week’s Divisional contests to see what, if anything, we can take away from those games.

It Takes A Team To Succeed

To me the most important part of Chiefs-Jaguars game was when Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes got injured and missed a portion of the game. The next time the Chiefs get the ball without their star player they find themselves inside the five-yard line. What do the Chiefs offensive coaches do? They show right away that they have faith in the backup quarterback and they do the unexpected and throw the ball on the first play. They then turn to their offensive line and have them to lead the way and they did not let their team down, providing running room for their running backs to pick up over sixty yards on the drive on their way to a second quarter touchdown. Football, like business, is team sport and it takes everyone to succeed. The backup quarterback must stay mentally in the game and be ready any second to go in. Plus when your leader is missing, others need to step up and the line did just that.

On paper the Eagles should walk all over the Giants. The two teams played twice this season, with the Eagles winning both. The Eagles, much like every other team, set a goal of winning the Super Bowl and as the season goes on many of those teams begin to realize that their goal is unrealistic but when you are the top seed with home field advantage, you should have the confidence to know that your goal is achievable. This goal cannot be achieved with this game nor can you look ahead and overlook your opponent. The Eagles understand that this game is part of the process and they need this victory for their ultimate goal. They kept their foot on the gas long enough to suck the life out of their opponent – close games are good for ratings, but their mission is win it all. The goal remains.

Stay Focused on Your Mission

And on paper, the Bengals and Bills match up should be the best game of the weekend. The Bengals and Bills have the same goal as the Eagles, and both also have a realistic shot at achieving it. But you could tell early on what team wanted to earn the next step towards that goal. From the start of the game, the Bengals knew they had to have this victory and they went out and got their opponent to mentally give up fairly early in the contest. By the end of the first quarter, one could tell by the players’ body language which team was going to win and the only question I had was how much the Bills would lose by. Now with this next observation I’m not saying the Bills have weak leadership, since I don’t follow them that closely, but teams, like companies, can sometimes turn things around when things are going bad and I didn’t see anyone appearing to step up and rally the troops. There were times when the camera panned over their sidelines and their quarterback was sitting all alone. Meanwhile the Bengals played with a purpose.

Every Moment is Big

For the Cowboys and 49ers game, there’s one play that sticks out to me. It was an innocent looking play in the middle of the game, but perhaps it could have changed the outcome. It was the middle of the third quarter in a 9-9 tied contest. The Cowboys get the ball inside their ten-yard line and on the first play of this drive quarterback Dak Prescott throws a beautiful deep ball down the left sideline and CeeDee Lamb makes a great catch while being interfered with by the defender. With the long reception, field position is flipped and momentum is with the Cowboys. But then it happened. Lining up on the 49ers side of the field, Prescott throws a catchable ball to the tight end Dalton Schultz who would have picked up at least ten to fifteen yards, move the chains and get closer to scoring, but it is dropped. Schultz was closely covered, but that’s catch that a professional player is expected to make. Following the drop, the Cowboys unsuccessfully try to gain a first down on the next two plays and they find themselves with fourth down and five yards to go on the field where a field goal could be tried or they could go for it or they could punt. With momentum on their side, and their defense playing well to this point, they opt to punt. The 49ers take the ball and the momentum to march eighty-six yards for the go-ahead touchdown and they do not give the lead back.

In sports people always tend talk about the last few plays of a game as the difference between victory or defeat, heck I saw an article written about the Cowboys formation on the last play of the game – that play was a nonfactor to the outcome. But oh what could have been for the Cowboys if that catch was made. In sports, as in business, be prepared to seize the moment when it is presented.

With the divisional round behind us, I can’t wait to see what happens on Championship Sunday.

Next Up: Community Service

January 12, 2023 – This week the KCA Safety Committee hosted its bimonthly virtual meeting that featured a presentation by Steve McCarty of McConkey Insurance & Benefits titled Effective Accident Investigations – Going Beyond Blame. Great topic and an excellent speaker that really delivered some fine points for contractors to think about when accidents occur. Plus, Mr. McCarty provided some helpful resources. To check out the presentation please visit: January 2023 KCA Safety Committee Presentation.

Next on the agenda for the KCA: the MLK Day of Service. This year marks Harrisburg’s 14th MLK Day of Service. On Monday, January 16, 2023 at 9 AM, the the KCA will join the Wildheart Team for the Love The Hill Day event. This event will be a total cleanup to prepare the Allison Hill community for this year’s activities.

The KCA is proud to help the Wildheart organization next week. An initiative of Wildheart is the Love The Hill Days, with the hill being Allison Hill. Some notable accomplishments of this organization which started in 2017 include: 2,333 volunteers providing 42,281 manhours to remove 2.3 million pounds of trash, 117 abandoned structures boarded up and 278 planter boxes constructed.

The KCA team of volunteers look forward to joining the Wildheart team on Monday to improve those aforementioned stats. We hope that you can join us. I find that giving back to the community is an excellent way to recharge your mind as you can temporarily put aside your worries and concerns associated with your daily work issues and focus making someone else’s day better. Well, at least I feel more productive and energized after volunteering for a good cause when I return to the office. Give it a shot and see if you get that same boost when work resumes.

To join the KCA team please contact Seth Kohr at SethKohr@KeystoneContractors.com or 717-736-9131.

Construction Opioid Awareness Week Starts Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the start of Construction Opioid Awareness Week.

Working with our industry partners, we developed five videos and toolbox talk materials on five important topics for this year’s awareness week. A daily email will be delivered first thing in the morning each day to the KCA’s safety email list. If you are not on this list and would like access to the videos, please let us know by sending an email to Jon@KeystoneContractors.com.

The theme to this year’s week is: return to the basics. We started this opioid awareness week in 2017, and the construction industry, much like society in general, was trending in the right direction concerning opioids, addiction and general wellness, but then 2020 came. During the past two years we have seen an increase in addiction and suicide rates and it appears to be a good time to return the basics. We picked five video topics that may appear elementary like pain management and employee assistance programs, but we feel these topics need emphasis to get us trending back in the right direction.

Additionally, for the first year of Construction Opioid Awareness Week in 2017, we sent construction companies across the state “Opioids – Warn Me” stickers to be placed on medical and pharmacy cards. What may appear to be such a simple, basic message was just the opposite – it was extremely powerful to have an authority figurehead from a company (the person who signs the front of the check, executive, superintendent, etc.) personally distribute these stickers to their workers letting them know that they are an important part of this company. Please do not hesitate to contact the KCA if you would like more of these stickers for your company.

Lastly, please feel free to share any feedback or photos from your company participating in this year’s Construction Opioid Awareness Week.

From The Archives: LinkedIn For Business Development

NOTE: In 2013/2014, the Associated General Contractors of America created the AGC Business Development Forum for construction professionals who are interested in learning about business development for our industry. At the time when I heard about this soon-to-be-launched group, I was working at the Master Builders’ Association in Pittsburgh and upon receiving the notification from AGC about this new group I requested that they hold a spot on this forum for an MBA member. At an MBA Marketing Committee meeting I reported that we have a spot on the AGC BD Forum and asked who should we nominate. It was decided that I should represent the MBA on this national forum. During this forum’s infancy, while we were deciding on our mission and activities, it was agreed that forum members should crank out an article to help with the launch. I’m glad the articles are still being produced and I’m glad to see Paige Packard still steering this ship – keep up the great work. To learn more about the AGC BD Forum: https://www.agc.org/connect/agc-groups/business-development-forum.

Here’s the article I wrote for the AGC BD Forum that was published in 2015.

LinkedIn For Business Development

LinkedIn has been called Facebook for professionals, the virtual rolodex, and the headhunter’s haven to name a few. Regardless of what you call this online network, LinkedIn can be important for business development. Before delving
into LinkedIn business development advice, let’s look at why LinkedIn is beneficial for the construction industry.

Why LinkedIn – Everyone’s On It
With more than 300 million members, LinkedIn is the largest business network in the world. In 2013, the Master Builders’ Association (MBA) released the results of a social media survey of western Pennsylvania commercial construction professionals. This survey indicated that 89% of the professionals in the region’s construction industry use social media and the majority use social media for both professional and personal use. According to the MBA survey, LinkedIn was by far the one used most for professional networking.

Despite the Pittsburgh survey being over two years old, the usage of LinkedIn by the construction industry remains strong. If you’re not convinced or don’t think it can be helpful, take a step back and think about the last ten people you have communicated with in your day-to-day work activities (phone, email, meeting, etc.). I would be shocked if most, if not all, are not on LinkedIn. Your coworkers, peers and competitors are on LinkedIn and without a LinkedIn presence you may be missing valuable opportunities. If it turns out that your work contacts are not on LinkedIn, then stop reading this article now. Are you still with us? Good, let’s proceed.

The LinkedIn Profile
A good first step for using LinkedIn for business development is your profile. Your profile is crucial as it is the site where potential clients can learn more about you and your role in the industry. An unfinished profile is a bad first impression to make, especially for prospective clients. A profile picture is a great way to bring your page to life and let people know you are real. According to LinkedIn, users with a profile picture are more likely to be accepted for connection than others without a photo and users with a profile picture receive more profile views as the result of a LinkedIn search opposed to users without a picture.

After the appropriate profile picture is selected, you should take some time to make sure your profile tells your story. Make sure your headline is current and customize your experiences so inquirers can learn about key positions you
have held, work achievements, education and certifications, and volunteer involvements. Plus the summary section of your profile allows you to share your expertise and vision, so do not forget about this item.

Join & Be a Thought Leader
Now that you have an effective profile, you are ready to expand your network and spread your brand. Company pages and LinkedIn groups are excellent locations to get noticed and make new connections. What companies do you enjoy working with? Check to see if they have a company page and join. Take a second and think of business groups and associations that you belong to and then see if these organizations have a LinkedIn group and join. Once you join spend a little time to actively participate with the groups to share your knowledge. Be mindful of the number of groups you join. It is better to join a few and be active, then join many, become overwhelmed with content overload and then do nothing. Posting insightful comments or thought-provoking questions will be welcome by your connections (and future connections) and most importantly you’ll demonstrate that you are interested in your community and making your mark in the industry. By demonstrating your thought leadership, it will result in more connections and all the LinkedIn activity opens the door for new business opportunities.

LinkedIn can be a powerful tool. It does not guarantee you will succeed in obtaining all sorts of work, but it can help find prospective clients and demonstrate firsthand your connection to them.

Key Takeaways:
• LinkedIn is the largest business network in the world – find, and be found, by potential clients
• The LinkedIn profile has become the business card
• LinkedIn provides numerous opportunities to demonstrate expertise and knowledge