Homer City Generation this morning announced that there are now more than 1,800 direct-hire tradespeople and skilled contractors at work on the Homer City Energy Campus, and 95 percent of them are local. CEO Corey Hessen commented that the workforce is “…helping write the next chapter in Homer City’s proud energy history while laying the foundation for long-term economic opportunity across this region.”
Nine local unions are represented: boilermakers, carpenters, electricians, ironworkers, laborers, millwrights, operators, pipefitters, teamsters and other skilled workers. And the number of apprentices training for the future at the job site has grown to more than 135.
The company anticipates employment topping 2,000 by the end of the year.
Among the highlights of the release, the company says there are more than 10,000 direct on-site construction jobs expected over the life of the project, and approximately a thousand direct and indirect permanent high-paying positions will be created in technology, operations, and energy infrastructure when the campus is fully operational.
The release also quotes Senator Joe Pittman, Representative Jim Struzzi, and union representatives Shawn Steffee, Ben Steinmeyer, and Chad Morrison included.
READ THE RELEASE FROM HOMER CITY GENERATION BELOW:
HOMER CITY ENERGY CAMPUS WORKFORCE GROWS TO MORE THAN 1,800 WORKERS, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF 9 BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADE UNIONS
Skilled tradespeople and contractors are helping transform the former Homer City Generating Station into the largest natural gas-powered plant currently under construction in the U.S.
95% of direct-hire craft workers active on the site today are local; 135+ apprentices are active on the project site.
INDIANA COUNTY, Pa. — SEPTEMBER 4, 2026 — Homer City Generation, L.P., today announced that the workforce building the Homer City Energy Campus has surpassed 1,800 direct-hire tradespeople and skilled contractors active on the project site, including members of nine local union organizations and a broad cross-section of Pennsylvania’s building and construction trades. As construction activity further accelerates, the workforce is expected to grow to approximately 2,000 total workers by year-end, particularly as construction and major equipment installation activities continue to ramp up across the site.
Over the past year, Homer City Generation and Kiewit Power Constructors Co. (Kiewit) have assembled a fast-growing workforce of boilermakers, carpenters, electricians, ironworkers, laborers, millwrights, operators, pipefitters, teamsters and other skilled contractors and craftspeople from across Western Pennsylvania. Today, approximately 95% of the skilled direct-hire craft workforce is from the local area, and the workforce also includes more than 135 apprentices gaining hands-on training alongside experienced journeymen working at the Homer City Energy Campus.
The workforce growth reflects the rapid progress being made on what is the largest natural gas-powered plant currently underway in the United States and one of the largest economic development projects in Pennsylvania history. The project is already generating significant economic activity throughout Indiana County and the surrounding region, supporting local businesses, restaurants and lodging providers while creating a pipeline of family-sustaining union careers for both experienced tradespeople and the next generation of apprentices.
HOMER CITY ENERGY CAMPUS WORKFORCE BY THE NUMBERS
- 1,800+ skilled contractors and direct-hire tradespeople currently active onsite, with the expectation to grow to 2,000 total workers by year-end
- 9 union organizations represented across the project’s direct-hire[1] workforce
- 95% of direct-hire craft workers onsite are local[2]
- 135+ apprentices currently gaining hands-on training and career experience as part of the direct-hire workforce
- 10,000+ direct on-site construction-related jobs expected over the life of the project[3]
- Approximately 1,000 total direct and indirect permanent high-paying positions in technology, operations and energy infrastructure once the Homer City Energy Campus is fully operational[4]
Corey Hessen, CEO of Homer City Generation, L.P., commented:
“When we announced the Homer City Energy Campus, we made a commitment that this would be a project that created real opportunities for local workers and their families. This Labor Day, with more than 1,800 workers active onsite representing nine local unions across numerous skilled trades, we are proud to be delivering on that commitment. Our workforce represents the very best of Pennsylvania labor, and this project would not be possible without them and the many generations of hard-working Pennsylvania laborers who came before them.
The skill, professionalism and dedication demonstrated by these men and women are the bedrock of this project’s success and have enabled us to safely complete major site-readiness milestones ahead of schedule while maintaining an exceptional safety record of zero OSHA-recordable incidents to date. Their work is helping write the next chapter in Homer City’s proud energy history while laying the foundation for long-term economic opportunity across this region. We look forward to continuing to grow our talented workforce as we scale up in the months ahead.”
Shawn Steffee, Business Agent for the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 154 and President of the South-Central Building Trades, commented:
“For years, our local didn’t take in a single apprentice because the work simply wasn’t here – but now, the Homer City Energy Campus is creating life-changing opportunities for our members and apprentices here in their own community, and we cannot hire fast enough. This project is allowing us to showcase the talent and expertise of Pennsylvania’s own union workforce. We are proud to have our local members playing a leading role in building a project that will support jobs, economic growth and energy development for decades to come. The future could not be brighter for our members and our apprentices – and on Labor Day, that’s something worth celebrating.”
Ben Steinmeyer, Business Agent for the I.B.E.W. Local 5, commented:
“I.B.E.W. Local 5 has worked for generations in the powerhouses of Indiana County. Homer City Generation provides our members with decades’ worth of work, all while modernizing America’s grid infrastructure and building clean, reliable power. Our electricians are an integral part of the community, and we are excited to share in the prosperity this project brings.”
Chad Morrison, Business Manager / Financial Secretary-Treasurer for Plumbers & Pipefitters Local #354, commented:
“The Homer City project has been a major win for Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 354 and, more importantly, for the hardworking men and women who make up our membership. It has created new opportunities for our apprentices, including making it possible to sell our three previous schools and create one larger combined location for the apprenticeship, expanding our workforce and positioning our Local for continued growth. As a Business Manager, I’m proud to see projects like Homer City demonstrate what union labor can accomplish. When we grow our union workforce, we’re not just creating good-paying careers; we’re strengthening families, communities and the economy of the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
Joe Pittman, Pennsylvania State Senate Majority Leader, commented:
“The significant expansion of the workforce at the Homer City Energy Campus is an exciting and encouraging development. Fresh job opportunities for skilled trade workers and the ability for apprentices to have hands-on learning opportunities are helping to strengthen regional economic growth and competitiveness.”
Jim Struzzi, Pennsylvania State Representative for the 62nd Legislative District, commented:
“As we celebrate Labor Day 2026 in Western Pennsylvania, it is exciting to see the next generation of highly skilled workers building generational projects right here in Indiana County. The partnership between the business community in Homer City Generation with local labor unions is a model for our Commonwealth and nation. When we partner business with trade unions, the sky is the limit.”
[1] Direct-hire workforce excludes contractors.
[2] Local refers to workers dispatched from the local union halls with jurisdiction over the project.
[3] Anticipated total number of direct on-site jobs related to the construction of both the natural gas-powered plant and the data center campus over an expected five-year period.
[4] Anticipated total number of direct and indirect permanent positions to support the operations of both the natural gas-powered plant and all aspects of the data center.
