Tag: Scholarship

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!

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!