Tag: best practices

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

Here are the top Pennsylvania construction stories for the week:

$18M public-space construction project unveiled in Philadelphia: The Thomas Paine Plaza redesign officially debuted after a 3-year, $18 million construction effort, and it includes new public-use features (skate space, gathering areas, future statue installation). This signals continued urban redevelopment and public infrastructure investment ahead of major tourism events (World Cup, etc.). READ MORE.

Natural gas pipeline project back in play (regional impact): The long-delayed Constitution Pipeline (PA → NY) could be operational by 2027. It revives large-scale energy construction activity tied to Pennsylvania and it could drive pipeline, compressor station, and related infrastructure work across the state. READ MORE.

Data center construction boom—and pushback: Pennsylvania is at the center of a massive AI/data center construction surge (potentially $100B+). Local communities are increasingly pushing back over land use, environmental, and displacement concerns. This is one of the biggest long-term construction opportunities in PA—but also a growing source of zoning battles and permitting risk. READ MORE.

PHOTO CAPTION: This week the ACE Mentor Program hosted a construction hands-on day for high school students in Centre County. Special thanks to Hilti Group for bring all the construction equipment and to McCrossin for working with students to safely use the tools.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

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

Here are the top Pennsylvania construction stories this week:

Philadelphia Parking Garage Collapse: The construction community in Pennsylvania is deeply saddened by the tragic parking garage collapse in Philadelphia. On behalf of the KCA, we extend our deepest sympathy to the families of the Ironworkers involved. A parking garage under construction at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia partially collapsed, killing one worker and there are two missing, with others rescued. Early reports suggest a progressive “floor-by-floor” failure of the structure. READ MORE.

PennDOT’s $655M Construction Push (Northeast PA): PennDOT announced a record $655 million construction program for 2026. Includes: 67 new projects + 81 ongoing; work on 200 bridges; and, improvements to 80 miles of roadway. Key projects include: I-81 and I-84 upgrades (Scranton/Dunmore) and Major bridge replacements and interchange reconstructions. Why it matters: strong public-sector pipeline; significant bid opportunities for contractors; and, heavy demand for heavy highway, bridge, and materials sectors. READ MORE.

New State Park Development (Western PA): Laurel Caverns is becoming Pennsylvania’s first underground state park, opening April 22 with infrastructure upgrades. Why it matters: this shows growth in recreational construction & tourism infrastructure and public investment tied to economic development. Read More.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

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 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!

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.

KCA Opposes House Bill 1541, Citing Anti-Business Impacts & Increased Construction Litigation

KCA supports policies that make Pennsylvania more competitive and promotes business growth.

For Immediate Release

Harrisburg, PA – The Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) today announced its opposition to Pennsylvania House Bill 1541, warning that the legislation would undermine the Commonwealth’s business climate, discourage investment and significantly increase construction-related litigation.

KCA represents construction contractors and industry partners across Pennsylvania who build the commercial, industrial and infrastructure that support economic growth and job creation. According to the association, HB 1541 moves Pennsylvania in the wrong direction at a time when the state should be working to attract commerce and remain competitive with neighboring states.

“House Bill 1541 is anti-business and sends exactly the wrong signal to employers, developers and investors considering Pennsylvania,” said Jon O’Brien, executive director, KCA. “Instead of encouraging growth and collaboration, this bill would increase legal uncertainty and expose construction projects to greater risk.”

KCA cautions that the legislation would lead to more construction litigation, driving up costs, delaying projects and diverting resources away from building and job creation. Those added costs, the association notes, would ultimately be passed on to taxpayers, businesses and consumers.

“Pennsylvania’s construction industry thrives when there is clarity, fairness and predictability,” O’Brien said. “HB 1541 creates the opposite – inviting more lawsuits, higher costs and slows projects moving forward.”

The KCA also expressed concern that the bill could slow or deter much-needed commercial development, housing, infrastructure projects and energy projects – many projects which sustain thousands of family-sustaining construction jobs across Pennsylvania.

“KCA urges lawmakers to reject House Bill 1541 and instead work collaboratively with the construction and business community on policies that strengthen Pennsylvania’s economy and keep our state competitive,” O’Brien said.

About the KCA: The KCA represents construction companies based across Pennsylvania, advocating for policies that promote business growth in our Commonwealth, workforce development and a strong, sustainable construction industry.

Media Contact: Jon O’Brien, Executive Director

717-731-6272 | Jon@KeystoneContractors.com

www.KeystoneContractors.com