The Western Reserve Building & Construction Trades Council expects 2026 to be another solid year for journeymen and apprentices, as large- and medium-scale projects throughout the region take shape.
“The big project, obviously, is Kimberly-Clark,” says Marty Loney, president of the Western Reserve Building Trades and business agent for Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 396 in Boardman. Paper products manufacturer Kimberly-Clark is in the process of constructing an $800 million production plant in Warren, a project that is expected to employ hundreds of tradesmen over the next two years.
The Western Reserve Building Trades represents 23 locals and 16 crafts that boast just under 10,000 members.
“I think this year looks a little above average,” in terms of building projects and tradesmen hours, he says. “Engineers and contracto rs are starting to put things together for the spring.”
He reports that overall activity in the trades proved “average” last year but anticipates more opportunities in 2026 as smaller commercial projects get started. “Hopefully, some of the manufacturers will start to do a few more things,” he says. Other future projects could materialize within the health care sector, while tradesmen plan to keep busy with projects such as the renovation of Youngstown State University’s Kilcawley Center.
Perhaps most encouraging for the crafts was the All Trades Expo held in September at the Canfield Fairgrounds, Loney says. Last year’s event attracted more than 6,000 middle school and high school students over three days. “It’s been pretty steady,” he says.
The organization has also initiated other outreach programs designed to encourage students to take more interest in the trades, he says. On March 19, for example, the Building Trades plans to host its first informational breakfast of the year for guidance counselors from area schools. The concept helps to inform counselors of opportunities in the trades and offers continuing education credits for those who attend.
“I’m not seeing any pitfalls for this year, but also nothing really big either,” Loney says. “I think it will be a little bit better than average for most of the
crafts.”
