Tag: safety

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

Here are the top Pennsylvania construction stories this week:

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

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

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

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

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

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

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

Here are the top stories this week:

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

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

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

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

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

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!

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending January 30, 2026

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Here are the top stories from Pennsylvania:

PennDOT Invests in Rail Infrastructure: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced a $53 million investment in rail infrastructure focused on freight mobility enhancements, track rehabilitation, and bridge work across the state — expected to support hundreds of jobs. READ MORE.

Steel Framed Affordable Housing Approach in Northeast PA: A new approach to affordable home construction using cold-formed steel rather than traditional wood framing is gaining attention in northeast Pennsylvania. This method promises greater durability and scalability and may influence future residential construction trends. READ MORE.

Building A Strong Workforce Seminar Series Kicks Off: Hosted by the KCA and its Mental Health Awareness Task Force and in partnership with Pro-A, the kickoff seminar in this series aimed to identify signs and symptoms of substance use disorder, understanding contributing risk factors, impacts on the trades and learning prevention and support strategies. To watch this seminar click here. The next seminar in this series, #2 of #4, is scheduled for February 25, noon. This hybrid event will take place at Pennoni in Mechanicsburg. For more information visit: Building A Strong Workforce, Building A Culture of Support.

Lastly, we would like to thank Constellation for offering the KCA a tour of the Crane Clean Energy Center (formally known as Three Mile Island). This week’s newsletter features a photo from the tour.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending January 23, 2026

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

The top construction stories this week in Pennsylvania:

Major Construction Policy & Workforce News: The Pennsylvania Senate held a hearing focused on legislation that would require local labor for public construction projects — a big deal for the building trades and workforce policy. READ MORE.

Data Center Growth & Debate: Statewide Debate Over Data Center Construction: As more AI-related data centers expand across Pennsylvania, residents and some lawmakers are pushing back, citing concerns about energy usage, cost spikes, and community impact — even as state leaders support development. READ MORE.

Building A Stronger Construction Workforce: Construction is a tough industry and KCA’s monthly seminar series tackles the real mental health facing our workers. The first seminar is scheduled for this upcoming Wednesday, January 28, noon. For details click: Building A Stronger Construction Workforce.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – Top Stories for the Week Ending January 16, 2026

Stay Safe, Stay & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

This week’s top stories in Pennsylvania

Massive Southern Berks Industrial Park Breaks Ground: One of the biggest industrial projects in the state has officially started construction in Berks County. The 5.5 million-square-foot Southern Berks Industrial Park will sit on a former Bethlehem Steel site and include multiple Class A industrial buildings. Phase 1 alone is expected to create about 450 jobs by late 2026, with the full build-out projected to generate roughly 2,750 jobs and ~$2 billion in economic activity. READ MORE.

State Grant Programs for Construction & Transportation Now Open: Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation Multimodal Transportation Funding (MTF) and other state grant programs are now open for applications, offering public infrastructure and commercial project funding opportunities that can support future construction and mobility-related developments. READ MORE.

Time to Nominate Construction’s Safest Construction Companies, Emerging Leaders & Community Difference-Makers: The KCA awards program is an excellent way to recognize the talented and community-first professionals on your team. Winners and Finalists are honored at the annual Construction Celebration held in June, which is the construction industry’s biggest awards event in Harrisburg. We hope you enjoyed last years’ event:  2025 Construction Celebration Highlight Video.

  • KCA Safety Awards: To be considered for the KCA Safety Awards please submit your OSHA 300A log from 2025 by March 1, 2026. Please respond to this email with your form or email the KCA.
  •  KCA Top Young Leader: This award shines the spotlight on the up and coming leaders from the construction industry. The deadline to nominate a professional is March 1, 2026. For more information on the award, list of past winners and to locate the Nomination Form visit: KCA Top Young Leader.
  • The Thomas George Memorial Community Service Award: Created to honor the field personnel who make a difference on the jobsite and in the community, the deadline to nominate a professional for this award is March 1, 2026. Nomination Form. 
  • The KCA Scholarship Program: Entering its 5th year, the KCA Scholarship Program has awarded $80,000 in scholarships to AEC students. For more information please visit KCA Scholarship Program.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – Top Stories for the Week Ending January 9, 2026

The 1st Construction Weekly Recap of 2026!

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

This week’s top stories in Pennsylvania:

Massive Southern Berks Industrial Park Breaks Ground: Construction officially began on the 5.5 million-square-foot Southern Berks Industrial Park in New Morgan Borough, Berks County — one of the largest industrial developments in the state. Phase 1 includes four buildings (~2.65 M sf) scheduled to be complete by late 2026. Expected to create about 450 jobs in Phase 1 and ~2,750 jobs overall. Could generate roughly $2 billion in economic activity and includes a favorable tax abatement incentive (LERTA). READ MORE.

Construction Begins on Silver Spring Logistics Park (Central PA): Rockefeller Group and MBK Real Estate have started building the first two distribution facilities at the Silver Spring Logistics Park near Mechanicsburg — part of a planned ~2 million-square-foot three-building logistics campus. Enhances Pennsylvania’s industrial real estate footprint. Helps absorb demand for distribution and supply-chain space in central Pennsylvania. READ MORE.

Pa. Poised for Continued Data Center & Tech Campus Growth: Pennsylvania’s push to grow data center and tech infrastructure remains a major construction theme — including massive planned projects and site developments: JLL markets a huge data center site in Washington County (1,500 acres targeted for development). These digital infrastructure projects translate into significant construction activity and long-term economic development. READ MORE.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

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!