Contractors and electricians across the Mahoning Valley are entering 2026 with confidence, following a rebound in work. The outlook for the year is strong, says the Mahoning Valley Chapter of National Electrical Contractors Association and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 573 in Warren and Local 64 in Boardman.
Chris Sammarone, executive director of the Mahoning Valley NECA chapter, says electrical contractors are busy across a healthy mix of commercial, health care and infrastructure work.
“Man-hours were up in 2025, thanks to large-scale projects like Kimberly-Clark, ongoing work at the Foxconn facility and construction of new schools,” Sammarone says. “That momentum has kept our contractors busy, and we expect it to carry into 2026.”
IBEW Local 573 Business Manager Todd Ambrose echoed the optimism, as local projects ramped up in the final quarter of 2025.
“Foxconn currently has at least 35 wiremen on site, and the AI boom could open the door to much more,” Ambrose says. “The Mercy Health ER in Champion is kicking off, and Kimberly-Clark has close to 90 wiremen on the job. Work should be strong for the next year or two.”
Sammarone adds that the push for data centers nationwide is putting strains on the electrical workforce, but the Mahoning Valley is still meeting the demand.
“We’re staying focused on building the next generation of skilled electricians,” he says.
IBEW Local 64 Business Manager Cody Hilliard notes 2025 was a busy year for both contractors and tradesmen.
“We had emerging contractors make their mark and long-standing ones help shape new health care projects in the Valley,” he says. “This year presents new opportunities and challenges, and we have the workforce to face what’s to come.”
Among the noteworthy projects in 2025 included the Amazon warehouse in Bazetta; Kimberly-Clark’s site in Warren; the Mercy Health emergency room project in Champion; Austintown Grocery Outlet; Boardman Kia dealership remodel; Crestview K-12 School; Downtown Youngstown Chase Bank; Boardman First Responder Wellness Center; Lifepoint Mercy Behavioral Hospital; Mahoning County Veteran Services Commission; Salem K-8 School; and renovations at the YBI.
Workforce development remains a key focus this year, Ambrose says. The Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo continues to introduce thousands of middle and high school students to career paths in the building trades, including electricians.
Ambrose says these events are especially valuable for students who may not be exposed to the trades otherwise.
“They might not be thinking about wages and pensions now, but once they see what we do and what’s possible, it plants a seed,” he says.
Outside the jobsite, NECA-IBEW Electricians continued their strong tradition of community involvement, both through funding and volunteerism.
Support included scholarships for YSU students, funding for the Boo Squad Thanksgiving food drive, Local 573’s donation of bikes at Christmas for Trumbull County Children Services, participation in Shop with a Guin – involving YSU student-athletes – and United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley’s Satur-Day of Caring initiative.
