As the men and women who build Prince George’s County, we know that the proposed $1 billion Sphere at National Harbor represents more than just a new entertainment venue — it is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our communities.

For this project to offer real economic opportunity for county residents, it needs to be built under a Project Labor Agreement (PLA), with operations covered by a Labor Peace Agreement (LPA).

If you live in Prince George’s County, please use the form on this page to send a clear message to your county representatives: We Need a PLA on the Sphere

Investing in Our Buildings AND Our People

A PLA is how we ensure that county financial support for the Sphere project will be both an investment in the facility AND an investment in county residents. A PLA will produce the life-changing careers that come from union apprenticeship and membership.

By prioritizing local hiring through a PLA, we also ensure that the $200 million in public incentives currently on the table will actually stay and circulate in our community, supporting local families and boosting our local economy.

Real Career Pathways for Our Youth

Our workforce is ready and our training centers are state-of-the-art. A PLA guarantees:

• Top-Notch ‘Earn-While-You-Learn’ Training: Our apprentices master their trades while earning a paycheck, with regular raises — all without the burden of student debt..
• Guaranteed Apprentice Hours: We create real career pathways for young people, close to home, giving them the hands-on training they need to succeed.
• A Safe, Reliable Project: We provide a steady supply of highly skilled craft workers, which means fewer surprises, cost certainty and a project that gets done on-time and on-budget. We’ve already proven this model works with the county’s multi-billion-dollar school construction project, which is meeting its goals while operating under a strong PLA.

Opportunities for Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Businesses

Myth: PLAs harm small, women-owned or minority-owned businesses.

Facts: All contractors, including minority and women-owned businesses, can bid on jobs covered by project labor agreements. PLAs help law-abiding businesses compete against businesses that cut corners and fail to play by the rules. They protect workers from wage theft. The standards outlined in PLAs ensure that all contractors and subcontractors on a project are acting responsibly and in accord with community values.

Moreover, the Prince George’s County Council will have the ability to require any PLA on the Sphere at National Harbor to meet specified minority and women-owned business requirements, local hiring requirements, apprenticeship requirements and wage requirements.

Take Action: Tell the Prince George’s County Council That We Need a PLA on the Sphere!

The county council has taken the first step, authorizing a “National Harbor Extraordinary Development District.” The vote was a procedural step to establish a financing framework and special fund for the site, but we must ensure they don’t give final approval without a commitment to county workers. Several council members have already stated they will not support future legislation related to this project until they are certain “labor is satisfied.” 

If you live in Prince George’s County, please use the form on this page to send a clear message to your county representatives: We Need a PLA on the Sphere!