Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council (C/COBCTC), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the region's explosive growth and how the building trades are preparing for the future.
As the Rust Belt transforms into the Silicon Heartland, Central Ohio is experiencing an unprecedented tech boom, Hager said. With billions of dollars pouring into the region, the union construction industry faces exciting opportunities. As the leader of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Hager’s role is to negotiate labor agreements, promote workforce development and ensure fair treatment for workers across the construction industry.
Hager highlighted the investments flowing into Central Ohio, particularly in the tech sector. Amazon's recent commitment of $10 billion for new data centers, on top of previous investments, will bring their total investment in the region to $23 billion by 2030. This influx of capital is transforming the area into a hub for cloud computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Hager explained, that this investment pushes the total investment in future and current projects to nearly $64 billion.
While the growth presents opportunities for union workers, it also brings challenges. Hager stressed the importance of open communication with various stakeholders to ensure the workforce can meet the demands of these massive projects. He described regular meetings with city officials and utilities departments to plan for the necessary infrastructure expansion. To assist with the expansion, Hager emphasized the need for expanded pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs.
For more on how the C/COBCTC and its affiliated unions are navigating this period of unprecedented growth, listen to the full episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast.