Thanks to a record number of projects, 2023 should be a mega-year for the union construction industry.
In terms of manhours, this could be a record year for the members of Heat and Frost Insulators Local 50. With many high-dollar projects scheduled to start this year, the members from the Central Ohio union should expect to be extremely busy.
The notable projects include work to build or expand regional manufacturing facilities, datacenters, at least one corporate headquarters, pharmaceutical and biotech facilities and logistics centers.
Beyond that list are the three mega projects planned for the area. A mega project is defined as a privately funded construction project with a price tag of at least $1 billion.
The mega projects include: the $20 billion Phase I of the Intel project in New Albany and the $3.5 billion Honda/LG joint venture battery plant in Jeffersonville and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Tower.
Work for Local 50 members at these two megaprojects could commence as early as the fourth quarter, but will likely begin sometime in 2024. Members of Local 50 are currently onsite and working on the $1.8 billion Wexner Medical Center, but this project is not expected to be complete in early 2026.
Overall, work in the Local 50 jurisdiction will provide plenty of work opportunities for Mechanical Insulators and Firestop experts who want to work. Significant work hours for travelers are also expected in 2023.
According to Columbus Business First, Ohio attracted the most corporate investment in new buildings and equipment in 2022. The $30.3 billion in capital projects produced in 2022 tripled the previous record of $9.56 billion set in 2017.
This investment has set the stage for a busy 2023 for all building trades in Central Ohio, including the members of HFIAW Local 50.
Mechanical Insulators Wanted
Some of the biggest projects union Insulators will work on in Central Ohio this year will include:
- The Wexner Medical Center Tower
- Facebook datacenter campus
- Amazon datacenter campuses
- Google datacenter campuses
- AMGEN pharmaceutical plant
- Post manufacturing facility
- Hyperion headquarters and manufacturing plant
- Bath & Body Works warehouse
- Illuminate USA manufacturing facility
- Dollar Tree logistics center
- American Nitrile Plant
- Multiple hotels
- Government and institutional work
- Projects at the Ohio State University
The work listed above in the Insulators Local 50 jurisdiction and more is expected to keep members busy for the next seven years, possibly longer. This construction boom will create immense work opportunities for Local 50 members and their fellow union Insulators.
Travelers will help build many of the projects, but more needs to be done.
This means Local 50 will focus on organizing non-union Mechanical Insulators and Firestop workers, along with the recruitment of more apprentices.