Hager discusses Intel and other projects on AWF

Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Dorsey Hager made his monthly appearance on The America’s Work Force Union Podcast on Nov. 1. 

Hager kicked off the interview by talking about the Intel megaproject and said work has flatlined due to the government withholding the $20 billion in CHIPS Act money.

Dorsey Hager, C/COBCTC Executive Secretary-Treasurer

Hager urged listeners to remember that the Intel groundbreaking happened almost two years ago and there are still over 60 cranes and nearly 2,000 construction workers on site. 

Hager estimates about $2 billion worth of construction has already taken place on the jobsite which is only about 8 percent of the project. 

“Yesterday, Intel’s stock upticked and they’re saying it’s going to surge again,” Hager said. “These are good signs of projects going forward.” 

More development in Central Ohio

AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc asked Hager about the status of the newest Central Ohio data centers, Vantage and Microsoft. 

America’s Workforce Radio Host Ed “Flash” Ferenc

“Vantage is the latest datacenter to not only make an announcement but to immediately break ground on a $2.8 billion datacenter in Licking County,” Hager said. 

Vantage plans to build three datacenters. The company has already started conversations with the building trades to get pipefitters, electricians, operating engineers and cement masons on site. 

Vantage hopes to have up to 1,500 workers on site soon and to have its first datacenter operational within 10 months. 

“While they have the workforce there, they want to roll them into the second and third datacenter to quickly get that campus built,” Hager said. “It’s an incredible project and a great opportunity  for our workers and our families.” 

Microsoft broke ground on its first campus and has plans to develop three campuses over the next five to 10 years on the land it has purchased.

The first campus in Johnstown is located on a 197-acre site and costs about $420 million. The company also owns 750 more acres of land in the area. 

In the final project update, Hager said Honda hopes to be ready to start producing batteries on Jan. 9. Close to 4,600 construction workers are currently on site. 

Listen to the rest of the interview to hear the other important topics that Hager and Ferenc discussed: here