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Sphere Project Moves Forward in Prince George’s County!

The proposed Sphere entertainment venue at National Harbor took another major step forward Monday as the Prince George’s County Council voted 11-0 to authorize up to $215 million in special-obligation bonds to support the $1.4 billion project.

Importantly for the construction industry and our members, the financing legislation advanced without a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) requirement. The Council rejected two proposals that would have required 40% of construction work to be performed by unionized employees. The 6,000-seat entertainment venue is expected to generate significant economic activity in Prince George’s County, including approximately 3,300 construction jobs and up to 7,000 permanent jobs once operational. County Executive Aisha Braveboy has estimated the project could have a $1.3 billion economic impact on the county.

Sphere finance deal approved despite labor pushback | FOX 5 DC

ABC of Metro Washington and its members have been actively engaged throughout the process, advocating for open competition and equal opportunity for Maryland contractors and suppliers. The Council’s decision to move forward without a PLA mandate represents an important step in ensuring that qualified contractors, regardless of labor affiliation have the opportunity to compete for work on this transformational project.

The Council also approved a labor peace agreement covering employees once the Sphere opens. The project is expected to receive final approval from the County Council in the coming weeks. ABC will continue working with County leaders, project representatives and coalition partners to ensure the Sphere delivers opportunities for local contractors, subcontractors and workers while moving forward as a major economic development project for Prince George’s County.

Video: Community Conversation: Aisha N. Braveboy Discusses Sphere Opportunities with Small Businesses

Prince George’s County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy hosts a community conversation with County-based small businesses to provide an overview of the Supplier Diversity and Equity Plan negotiated for the Sphere at National Harbor.

Community Conversation: Aisha N. Braveboy Discusses Sphere Opportunities with Small Businesses - YouTube

This discussion highlights the scale of opportunities, the specific construction and ongoing operational commitments established for the project, and the accountability measures. County Executive Braveboy also hears directly from small businesses about barriers to participation and what the County, developers, and prime contractors must do to ensure equitable access and inclusion.

Building Tomorrow’s Data Centers: What You Need to Know

Data center construction is rapidly evolving. Join industry leaders for an engaging panel discussion exploring the future of data center construction. Hear directly from the experts, gain practical insights and connect with the people shaping the next generation of data center construction.

Building Tomorrow’s Data Centers: What You Need to Know

Panelists will include:

• Brandon Ripley, Senior Vice President, Construction & Power Infrastructure, Penzance – Moderator
• Tim Anderson, CEO, Vertical Mechanical Group
• Mike DeSarno, Executive Vice President, Rock Spring Contracting, LLC
• Mike Hurley, Vice President, Clark Technologies, a division of Clark Construction Group, LLC
• TJ Sawner, Project Executive, Balfour Beatty Construction, LLC

There will also be time allotted for questions during the program. We will begin with a hot breakfast and networking.

Partnering for Impact Event

Connect with procurement leaders, agencies, prime contractors, and community partners while exploring opportunities to grow your business.

This event includes an evening of networking, collaboration, and procurement opportunities, connecting small, local, minority and women-owned businesses alongside industry leaders from MGM National Harbor, the Prince George’s County Office of Procurement, and a wide range of partners, including other casinos, hotels, universities, general contractors, corporations, and numerous state and county local agencies.

Procurement Night Out: "Partnering for Impact" Tickets, Thursday, October 22 • 5:30 PM - 8 PM | Eventbrite

Engage directly with regional organizations and community partners such as WBEC Metro NY & Greater DMV, CRMSDC, USPAACC, USBC, OSBA, MDOT, MLGCA, FSC First, and more. Representatives will be on-site to share valuable insights and resources on access to capital, supplier development programs, certification, scaling strategies, and other tools to support your business growth and long-term success.

This would be disastrous for local contractors. Help push back by taking the survey below!

What is Happening?

The Sphere National Harbor could be one of the most important economic development projects in Prince George's County's history, bringing thousands of construction jobs, long-term local spending, and major new opportunities for workers, small businesses, restaurants, hotels, and surrounding communities.

But a government-mandated project labor agreement could limit competition, increase costs, delay construction, and shut out many qualified local contractors and workers, including small, minority-owned, and non-union businesses that deserve a fair chance to compete.

Prince George's County should welcome this investment without adding unnecessary restrictions that benefit a select few at the expense of local opportunity.

How to Help:

The Maryland Coalition for Fairness and Open Competition is a local coalition of Maryland business and contractor associations dedicated to advocating against the use of mandated Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on public infrastructure projects that steer taxpayer-funded public works contracts to union-signatory contractors, granting union workers a monopoly on jobs and contracts, as well as raising taxpayer costs.

We are asking for your help in telling us how a Sphere PLA would impact your business by taking the short survey below so lawmakers can better understand the negative impact on local businesses. Individual information will not be shared.

PG Sphere PLA form

Following the Department of Labor's 2023 Davis-Bacon rule changes, federal construction contractors faced a pressing question: not whether paying prevailing wages is required, but how far those obligations could extend. Could they reach off-site material suppliers? Delivery drivers? Contracts that omitted Davis-Bacon clauses entirely? A recent federal court decision in AGC of America v. US Department of Labor answers these questions in important ways, vacating several disputed provisions and giving contractors greater certainty when pricing, bidding, and administering federal construction projects.

The ruling addresses three aspects of the 2023 regulations that sought to extend Davis-Bacon obligations beyond their traditional scope. By vacating those provisions, the decision creates a more predictable compliance environment and reinforces an important principle: Davis-Bacon enforcement works best when contractors, workers, and regulators operate under clear, objective rules.

A Win for Clarity: What a Recent Federal Court Decision Means for Davis-Bacon Compliance | Peckar & Abramson, P.C. | Construction Law

The Maryland General Assembly will convene next week, marking the start of the 2026 legislative session.

Last month, Delegate Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk was elected in a December 2025 special election following the resignation of Adrienne A. Jones. Delegate Peña-Melnyk has already announced her leadership team for the upcoming session.

Significant structural changes are also taking place this year. The creation of the new House Labor, Government, and Elections Committee has shifted several policy areas away from the House Economic Matters Committee. These changes make it even more important that we remain focused, engaged, and present throughout the legislative session.

The 2026 session will provide ABC members with numerous opportunities for political engagement, including serving on legislative committees, participating in PAC events, and building strong, personal relationships with local elected officials.

Member engagement will be critical this year. We will need members to show up—especially those who can serve as subject matter experts on key issues. Thank you for your continued involvement and commitment.