The new Intel plant will transform Ohio’s economy

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, made his May appearance on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke with AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc and provided new information about the the $20 billion Intel plant project and its impact on Ohio’s economy.

Dorsey Hager, C/COBCTC Executive Secretary-Treasurer

Hager was recently part of a delegation that traveled to Portland, Ore. and toured an existing Intel plant, a fabrication shop to service the plant and an apprenticeship training facility to help them get an idea of what they might expect. Hager previously made a similar trip to Intel tout facilities in Arizona.

After visiting both locations, he said it is difficult to put into words what is coming to Ohio and the impact both projects had on their respective communities.

As an example, the Chandler Unified School District in Chandler, Ariz. had one high school with about 1,800 students in 1996 before the Intel plant was built. It now has 47,000 students and six high schools.

He feels Central Ohio should brace for that kind of transformative growth, as well as additional growth that impact most of Ohio. Suppliers will be located all over the state in order to support Intel, he explained.

America’s Workforce Radio Host Ed “Flash” Ferenc

Ohio’s new jobs mean more opportunities for underserved communities

Hager also talked about an op/ed piece he recently wrote for the Columbus Dispatch about how unions stand poised to rebuild the middle class in Ohio. Through commitments with One Columbus and JobsOhio, the building trades are reaching out to the underserved communities in order to provide good paying job opportunities for the unemployed and underemployed in Columbus and central Ohio, he said.

Thanks to the opportunities being created by Intel, as well as projects from Facebook, Amazon, Google and Microsoft, Ohio will have plenty of jobs available for the foreseeable future. There is plenty of work ahead and workers across Ohio, including members of the building trades, need to step up and meet the challenge of these great opportunities, he said.

Listen to the entire interview: