Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss recent economic challenges, ongoing projects and outreach efforts in the construction industry.
Like many areas, the construction industry in Central Ohio faces uncertainty due to recent tariffs and economic shifts. Hager discussed the news that Microsoft paused plans for a $1 billion data center project, while rumors circulate about other potential project delays, including the $2 billion airport terminal project. Hager said these setbacks, UPS facility closures and layoffs have raised concerns about the industry's stability. Hager said the union halls remain busy despite these challenges, but not at the levels seen over the past six months.
Amid the economic turbulence, Hager shared positive news about AMGEN’s expansion plans in Columbus. The pharmaceutical company recently broke ground on a $900 million project to expand its existing facility. This development builds on the success of their initial $350 million investment and is expected to create numerous opportunities for skilled trades workers. Hager said Central Ohio's research facilities and talent pool make it an attractive location for pharmaceutical companies, potentially leading to future industry growth in the region.
The Columbus Central Ohio Building Trades are actively working to diversify their contractor base through targeted outreach efforts. Hager discussed a recent event to educate minority contractors about the benefits of becoming signatory contractors. The initiative seeks to help these businesses grow by providing access to skilled labor pools, health and welfare funds and opportunities to work on major projects. Hager stressed the importance of this outreach, noting that smaller contracting companies need to expand their capabilities to compete for work on large-scale developments in the region.
To hear more about the challenges and opportunities facing the construction industry in Central Ohio, listen to the full episode above with Hager.