canton Archives - Central Midwest Carpenters

Rubber City with their Eye on the Ball

January 13, 2022/in News /by Kameron

Keeping the Akron-Canton members on top of the area’s biggest projects includes one of their most notable attractions, the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame Resort recommitted to using local, union workers in the next phase of their Hall of Fame Village Project in April 2021. President and CEO of the Hall of Fame Resort and the East Central Ohio Building Trades President jointly signed a PLA to confirm the commitment.

The $900 million Phase II includes the development of the Hall of Fame Village. They plan to build a new hotel, an indoor waterpark, medical facilities, business and research buildings, retail stores, and more. Carpenters recently completed the renovation of the football stadium and are currently working on the Center for Excellence, practice fields for high school students, and the beginning stages of the onsite hotel.

From football to basketball, Akron has its share of high-profile places and people. The kid from Akron made a name for himself across the country but continues to make the biggest impact in his hometown. The Lebron James Family Foundation is expanding their I Promise campus to create more opportunities for the success of their students.

The Akron/Canton Hub is proud to have worked on the first section of this project in building key aspects of the I Promise Campus. Representatives worked tirelessly to secure the work for our carpenters in this next phase despite many challenges. By supporting one of our signatory minority contractors, the Hub has guaranteed this high-profile work will be completed using local union carpenters.

Union Carpenters to Build I Promise Housing Complex

October 1, 2021/in Community, Diversity, News /by Hannah Erwin

AKRON, OH – Home to the one-of-a-kind I Promise School initiated by a partnership with the LeBron James Family Foundation and Akron Public Schools, the I Promise complex is ready for the next big phase of their innovative learning model. The LeBron James Family Foundation has been working with the East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation or EANDC to develop affordable housing for families.

This new phase of the I Promise Network will offer housing with affordable rent expected to range from $350 to $850. Families qualifying to live in the complex will be those earning 30% to 60% of Akron’s median household income of between $11,259 to $22,519, according to data reported by cleveland.com. Read more

Pro Football Hall of Fame Village Signs Historic PLA

April 23, 2021/in News /by Hannah Erwin

CANTON – Last week marked a monumental moment for the Canton area and potentially the future of project labor agreements. The Pro Football Hall of Fame has recommitted to the next phase of their Hall of Fame Village Project being completed using local, union workers. Michael Crawford, president and chief executive officer of the Hall of Fame Resort, and the East Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council President Dave Kirven jointly signed a PLA to confirm the commitment on Wednesday, April 14th, 2021.

“A PLA is a prehire pact with at least one [labor organization] that sets employment terms and conditions for all workers on a building project, regardless of whether their employers are unionized or nonunion contractors”, Bloomberg Law reports.

Canton has the most PLA’s than any other city in the United States with over 100 according to William Sherer, Business Manager for Ironworkers Local 550 and Canton City Council President. A PLA with the Hall of Fame Resort sets a standard for the area and will help spur others’ interest in the agreements, according to Sherer. He said economic development [like this project] spurs more economic development.

Part of this labor agreement includes cooperation with the Stark County Minority Business Association (SCMBA). The goal set by SCMBA and the Hall of Fame Resort is 12% minority participation in all aspects of the project. Kirven told us ongoing projects on site are currently at 19%, exceeding the goal. In a speech at the signing given, Michael Crawford said “we fumbled the ball on community and diverse involvement on the first phase of the project” when talking about the importance of the SCMBA partnership and the Hall of Fame’s commitment to making inclusion a priority in these new phases of construction.

Labor leaders and other government officials were present for the signing as well. City Councilman Jason Scaglione was excited to see people working and bring ‘vacation spending’ back to the region. Fellow councilmember John Mariol was also invested in the importance of the PLA bringing good, union, middle-class jobs back to Canton.

This next stage of construction on the Hall of Fame Village means ongoing work for the carpenters in the area. Senior Business Representative Kevin Ennis says, “continued work at the Hall of Fame has meant a lot of man-hours for our members”. Ennis also said the Council has signed several new minority contractors thanks to the partnerships at the project with continuous requests for manpower on separate jobs. “This [PLA] means steady work for our members for at least another two years if not more.”

Carpenters Refurbish Historic Church

March 22, 2021/in News /by Hannah Erwin

Carpenters have been constructing historic buildings for as long as the United Brotherhood of Carpenters has existed. In every state, province, and city across the United States and Canada union carpenters have made an impact on the legacy. Whether it’s bringing buildings down to put a new one back up or rehabilitating an existing structure, union carpenters prove their skills with each new project.

In Canton Ohio, carpenters have been working on an important renovation at a significant site. At 530 Tuscarawas St W, in a city almost as old as the state itself, Christ Presbyterian Church sits on the same land dedicated for the city’s first house of worship back in 1805 by the city’s founder. Read more

Responsible Bid Legislation Passes in Uhrichsville, OH

July 15, 2020/in News, Ohio Activism /by Hannah Erwin

Uhrichsville, Ohio – Uhrichsville City Council as voted in an unanimous fashion to approve an ordinance requiring responsible bidding on city construction projects.

The ordinance was introduced by Uhrichsville City Councilman Eric Harmon. Harmon spoke in support of the ordinance and applauded unanimous Council passage of legislation designed to encourage fair and responsible construction contracting.

The legislation had garnered the support of several area labor unions including the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters (IKORCC). IKORCC members Mark Whepler, Butch Teddrick, Keen Edwards, Ricky Thesson, and Michael Fitzgerald –- in addition to IKORCC business representatives Jared Hovanick and Abe Bruner –- attended the hearing and voiced their support for the ordinance.

“This common sense legislation is a taxpayer protection plan that ensures construction projects are completed on time and on budget while utilizing a skilled workforce. It’s important that the public holds a stronger confidence that their hard earned tax dollars are being spent properly and responsibly on construction projects that will help improve the quality of life for all Uhrichsville residents,” said Harmon.

The provisions in the ordinance already exist largely at the federal, state, and county levels. Harmon urged members of Council that it’s time to enact the provisions at the local level in order to promote quality construction and fiscal responsibility.

“This legislation prioritizes quality construction, workforce development, and economic growth while aiming to create local jobs for local workers,” stated Harmon. Harmon’s remarks during the meeting led to an unanimous 7-0 vote by City Council. Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters Supports Uhrichsville City Council In Passing Responsible Bid Legislation Sponsored By City Councilman Eric Harmon.

Carpenters & Millwrights Donate Smoke Detectors For Homes in Need

June 5, 2020/in Community, News /by Hannah Erwin

For the third consecutive year, the Members Action Committee of Local 285 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America –- supported by brothers and sisters from Carpenters Local 373, Carpenters Local 435, Carpenters Local 735 and Millwright/Piledrivers Local 1090 — participated in fundraising aimed at providing smoke and fire detectors to increase community safety for those unable to afford such protective devices.

Read more about last year’s donation: https://cmwcarpenters.com/carpenters-union-donates-170-smoke-detectors-to-local-fire-station/

This year, more than 200 smoke detectors were presented to Captain Mike Haas of the Akron Fire Prevention Inspector Bureau and other officers of the Akron, Ohio Fire Department including Chief Clarence Tucker on Thursday June 4^th, 2020. The smoke detectors were delivered by Aaron Wright, Mike Freeman and Abram Bruner, business representatives of the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters. The presentation was made at the newly constructed Akron Fire Station 4 on 25 E. Thorton Street.

Posts