POLAND, Ohio – Total nonresidential building and nonbuilding construction dollar volumes nearly doubled over the past year, according to Kevin M. Reilly, executive vice president of the Builders Association of Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.
He sees that as a good sign for the upcoming year.
“Just with the different projects we have going on, we’re hoping with the dollar volume increase that we saw this year that was booked, we’re anticipating hopefully another increase, a bigger increase in the reported work hours next year,” Reilly said.
He gave an annual report during the organization’s annual meeting at The Lake Club on Wednesday.
Through October, building construction rose by more than $500 million, buoyed by large projects like Kimberly-Clark Corp. in Warren and a new emergency room being built by Mercy Health in Champion.
Total building and nonbuilding construction reached $1.2 billion.
“Trumbull County accounts for about $400 million of that total,” Reilly said. “But if you take that out, you’re still just under $800 million, which is still above where we were the prior year.”
Total man hours increased by 2.1%, rising from 2.9 million to just over 3 million. While the increase is positive, the average since the founding of the Builders Association in 1971 is 3.6 million.
Chris White, incoming president of the Builders Association for 2026, said he is excited about the upcoming year, especially after talking with members of the organization and local architects about potential projects.
“There’s just so many projects up and coming people are talking about,” White said. “Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana [counties], even over into Pennsylvania, it’s going to be an exciting year for construction.”
But all these slated projects require a workforce.
“We’re looking forward to a good year and some growth, but the big thing, and it has been for the last several years, is attracting workforce,” Reilly said.
The Builders Association continues to foster young men and women with an interest in working in the trades. Events are held throughout the year to encourage participation in pre-apprenticeship programs.
The Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo now stretches over three days at the Canfield Fairgrounds and attracted 6,500 teens from junior high through high school in September. A breakfast event attracted 80 guidance counselors in March, which gave them the opportunity to tour a training facility, meet with coordinators of some of the training programs and learn more about apprenticeships.
White said he is excited about the number of students learning about the trades through the Skilled Trades Expo.
“I don’t believe college is for everyone,” White said. “I don’t think that it’s for every single person who graduates high school. A lot of kids go into debt. While part of the trades, they can earn while they learn. That’s a true statement.”
Getting more students to start the journey into pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships and a successful career is the goal, and Reilly wants them to understand there is a lot of potential for growth in the industry.
“If they want to just stay in the industry, you can make a good living and provide for your family as a tradesman, but then you have opportunities for growth,” Reilly said. “Become a foreman, a superintendent, move into the office as an estimator, start your own company. A lot of the people, successful people in [the Builders Association], started as a tradesperson and started their own companies.”
Pictured at top: Kevin M. Reily, executive vice president of the Builders Association of Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.