Category: Workforce Development

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

Here are the top construction stories for Pennsylvania this week:

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

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

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

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Keystone Contractors Association Names Steven Fitzpatrick as 2025 Labor Champion 

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

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

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

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

About the Thomas George Memorial Community Service Award 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

KCA Safety Award Winners in Honored in 2025: 

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

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

Subcontractor: Safest Record over 100k hours 

  • Novingers, Inc. 

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

  • Serviam Construction, LLC 

Subcontractor: Safest Record between 50k &100k hours 

  • Penn Installations, Inc. 

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

  • Bill Anskis Company, LLC 

Subcontractor: Safest Record with ZERO injuries under 50k hours 

  • Ralph E. Jones, Inc. 

Most Improved Safety Record 

  • McClure Company 

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

Pennsylvania Weekly Construction Recap – Top Stories for Week Ending August 15, 2025

Here are the top construction stories in Pennsylvania this week:

  • U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works Explosion: A tragic explosion at the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works near Pittsburgh on August 11, 2025, resulted in two fatalities and at least 10 injuries. The incident caused significant damage to the facility, with emergency crews continuing search and rescue operations for a missing worker. The cause of the explosions remains under investigation, and the event has raised concerns about safety and environmental issues at the plant, which has a history of accidents and pollution-related lawsuits. READ MORE.
  • Penn Hills AML Reclamation Project Success: The Penn Hills AML Reclamation Project in Allegheny County was highlighted this week for successfully addressing long-standing issues from abandoned coal mines, such as flooded basements and dangerous mine discharge. Completed by August 12, 2025, this award-winning project has eliminated these hazards, improving living conditions for residents. WATCH VIDEO.
  • State Budget Update Featuring Infrastructure Money: The Pennsylvania House approved legislation that includes $292 million in additional funding for SEPTA, aiming to forestall service cuts that could have slashed up to 50% of transit operations statewide. Furthermore, the bill proposes $325 million in highway funding and $275 million for rural roads, which would sustain and potentially expand crucial infrastructure construction initiatives. READ MORE.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

KCA Announces Its 2025 Scholarship Winners!

Harrisburg, PA — The Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Scholarship Awards, supporting the next generation of construction professionals in Pennsylvania and beyond. 

Each year, the KCA Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to outstanding students pursuing careers in construction, engineering, architecture, and related fields. This year, two students were selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants for their academic excellence, commitment to the industry, and leadership potential. 

“Investing in our future workforce is one of the most important things we can do,” said Jon O’Brien, Executive Director of the Keystone Contractors Association. “These students represent the future of construction, and we’re honored to help support their education and growth.” 

The 2025 KCA Scholarship Recipients include: 

Since establishing the KCA Scholarship Program four years ago, the KCA has given over $90,000 in scholarship funds to support students pursuing careers in the construction industry. The scholarships are made possible through generous contributions from KCA member companies, industry partners, and fundraising events throughout the year. In addition to financial support, scholarship recipients gain access to valuable networking opportunities, mentorship, and industry events through the KCA. 

The awards were formally presented at the annual Construction Celebration, held on June 9th at the Harrisburg Hilton, where industry leaders gathered to celebrate workforce development and the bright future ahead. 

For more information about the KCA Scholarship Program or to learn how to support future scholarships, please visit https://keystonecontractors.com/KCA-Scholarship.  

Photo Caption, left to right: James Darr KCA Education Committee Chair, Allison Bromirski and Eliana Roof.

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

Pennsylvania Weekly Construction Recap – Top Stories for Week Ending August 8, 2025

Here are the top construction stories in Pennsylvania this week:

Pennsylvania is BOOMING: Pennsylvania’s construction sector is active, with $34 billion contributed to the state’s GDP in 2024 and 31,000 construction establishments. Projects like those in Pittsburgh and statewide infrastructure improvements (e.g., PennDOT’s 684 bridge projects in 2023) indicate robust activity. READ MORE.

Major Work on I-95 In Philly: Overhead sign structure installation will close I-95 North at night August 11-14 in Center City, with ongoing inlet repairs weekdays August 1-29 on I-95 North near Academy Road in Northeast Philadelphia. This represents one of the most significant traffic-impacting construction projects currently underway in the state. READ MORE.

Windfarm Upgrades Help with AI Data Center Growth: Exus recently secured over $158 million to boost capacity at the Twin Ridges wind farm in Somerset County—raising its output by around 30% to 170 MW—and to upgrade the Patton wind farm in Cambria County. These enhancements aim to meet skyrocketing energy demands from AI data centers across the state. READ MORE.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania Construction Weekly Recap – Top Stories for Week Ending August 1, 2025

Here are the top construction stories for Pennsylvania for this week:

Tec Centro Workforce Network’s Call for Skilled Trades Investment: This summer, the Tec Centro Workforce Network, a bilingual workforce development program, emphasized Pennsylvania’s looming shortfall of 300,000 skilled trades workers by 2030. With over 2,200 individuals on waitlists for training, Tec Centro urged $8 million in public and private investment to expand programs in construction and other trades. The initiative highlights the retention of 80% of trained workers in Pennsylvania, strengthening local economies. This story underscores ongoing efforts to scale up construction training programs, critical for projects statewide. READ MORE

Penn State University Construction Projects: Penn State continues to see major construction activity, with projects like the $115 million Osmond North Building (set to complete in January 2027) and renovations at Beaver Stadium, potentially costing up to $700 million. The Susan Welch Liberal Arts Building recently opened, consolidating academic departments. These projects, while ongoing, were highlighted in updates from July 2025, indicating continued progress that could still be relevant. READ MORE

KCA Announces 2025 Scholarship Winners: The Keystone Contractors Association announced its recipients of the 2025 KCA Scholarship Program honoring Allison Bromirski and Eliana Roof. Allison is a junior in Penn State’s Architectural/Engineering Construction Management Program and Eliana recently completed her freshman year at Drexel University in the Construction Management Program. To meet Allison CLICK HERE. To meet Eliana CLICK HERE.

Pennsylvania Construction Weekly Recap – Top Stories for Week Ending July 25, 2025

Here are the top construction news stories across Pennsylvania for the week ending July 25, 2025:

  • Penn State University Construction Projects: Penn State continues to advance multiple transformative construction projects across its campus, including the recently completed Susan Welch Liberal Arts Building, the ongoing $115 million Osmond North Building (set for completion in January 2027), and renovations at Beaver Stadium, which could cost up to $700 million. These projects aim to enhance academic facilities, student housing, and athletic complexes, aligning with Penn State’s broader goals to improve campus life and infrastructure. READ MORE
  • Pennsylvania Budget Talks Stall Over Road & Bridge Funding: As the legislature works on the state budget, transportation funding has become a sticking point. Republicans are demanding substantial funding for roads and bridges—including up to $500 million in debt financing—while also resisting increases in public transit funding proposed by Governor Shapiro. This impasse has significant implications for the future of construction planning across the state. READ MORE
    • Pennsylvania Senate Designates “Construction Opioid Awareness Week”: The Pennsylvania Senate has officially designated the week of July 21-25, 2025, as “Construction Opioid Awareness Week” through Senate Resolution 133. READ MORE

    Stay safe, stay informed and keep building Pennsylvania strong!

    Pennsylvania Construction Weekly Recap – Top Stories for Week Ending July 18, 2025

    This week’s biggest construction news stories.

    ​Here are the top construction news ​stories across Pennsylvania ​for the week ending July 18, 2025:

    1. GE Vernova Invests $80 Million in Charleroi Facility Expansion
      GE Vernova is investing $80 million to expand its grid solutions factory in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, creating 250 new jobs. This investment aims to modernize the electric grid by increasing production of high-voltage switchgear products, essential for the U.S. power infrastructure. The expansion supports growing energy demands and reinforces Pennsylvania’s role in advancing national grid reliability.​ READ MORE
    2. P​ennDOT Highlights 57 New Transportation Projects in Pittsburgh Region
      The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced 57 new transportation improvement projects set to begin in 2025 in the Pittsburgh region, covering Allegheny, Beaver, and Lawrence counties. These projects will improve 551 miles of roadway and 43 bridges, aligning with Governor Shapiro’s vision for a safe and efficient transportation network. Motorists are urged to exercise caution in work zones.​ READ MORE
    3. $90+ Billion Investment Set to Boost PA Construction JobsCompanies like Blackstone, Google, Amazon, and CoreWeave have announced over $90 billion in AI and energy infrastructure investments across Pennsylvania. Thousands of construction jobs are expected as the state becomes a key hub for digital and energy innovation.​  READ MORE

    Stay safe, stay informed, and keep building Pennsylvania strong.

    A Veterans Day Message from the Keystone Contractors Association

    This Veterans Day let’s all step up our appreciation for our country’s heroes. It’s a nice gesture when we see a Veteran to say ‘Thank you for your service’ but it doesn’t have to end with that. Ask the Veteran how they’re doing or how they’re day is going or if they’re looking for a civilian career.

    As you may know Veterans have one of the highest suicide rates in the country. In the recently released 2022 National Veterans Suicide Prevention Annual Report by the Veteran Affairs, it was reported that in 2020 (the most recent data) 6,146 Veterans took their life. Suicide is now the 12th leading cause of death in America and it continues to hit the Veteran population hard. According to the recent VA report, Pennsylvania was the fifth highest on the list with 240 Veteran Suicides. Our state’s annual number has dropped every year since 2017 when we lost 294 Veterans, but at 240 we have lots of work to do and we’re not moving fast enough as we strive to reach zero.

    Finances and lack of purpose could be two reasons why one might contemplate this fatal decision. The construction industry offers family-sustaining careers in both professional and labor positions. Construction professionals take pride in building Pennsylvania and with the strong work ethic Veterans are equipped to be successful in this industry.

    This year the KCA, in partnership with our labor allies, went to great lengths to educate organizations and individuals who work with Veterans as they transition from the military to civilian life. The Carpenters and Laborers unions have been excellent stewards of the industry and together we worked with both to talk about the benefits of working in this industry, the type of positions and guidance for entering. We are not done either. For the remainder of this year and for the foreseeable future we plan to continue this outreach. If you are interested in learning how you and your organization can get involved, please let the KCA know.

    In closing, this Veterans Day saying ‘Thank you for your service’ is appreciated, but remember you never know what a person is going through by simply looking at them and giving a passerby message. A little conversation can go a long way and can be the best way to show your appreciation.