A few weeks before the grand opening, I got a call from Weidmann with one of the strangest inquiries I’ve heard during my time at PC Construction: could the structural steel in the Butler building PC Construction recently completed support rigging for aerial performers? Aerial performers – was I hearing that right? Yesterday brought it all into perspective.
As I pulled into the Weidmann parking lot, the skies were blue, the lawns were green, and the whole site was buzzing with activity. It was already clear this was going to be far more than a standard ribbon cutting.
We were directed to the newly installed warehouse our team turned over last June, where flashing lights and techno music waited behind the black curtain entrance. I headed to the front while my other team members hung back a bit more cautiously. Walking through that curtain was like stepping into a very chic European nightclub—silver balloons, glowing signs, and a warehouse somehow transformed into an elegant event space.
Inside, guests were greeted with mocktails, a maple tasting table, magazine-worthy charcuterie boards, and lounge seating that somehow made cold storage feel glamorous. Because if you’re going to celebrate in Vermont, you might as well do it with a blueberry maple drink in hand.
During networking, aerial dancers performed overhead while guests talked about the future of the electrical industry. The program began with remarks from leadership about community, partnership, and the effort it took to bring the project to life. That message carried through the event, including a message I wrote down and won’t forget: “Thank you for believing in Vermont.” That sentiment stuck with me, because Weidmann could have invested anywhere—but they chose Vermont, and PC Construction was proud to be part of that story.
Then came the torch handoff (yes, an actual torch, complete with sparks shooting into the air) symbolizing the movement from the last Weidmann facility upgrades in Croatia and Mexico, to the newest in St. Johnsbury. It was dramatic and memorable—and the construction professional in me was relieved there were clearly no fire hazards involved.
From there, the jazz band started up, the crowd gathered, the ribbon was cut, and tours of the facility began. It was a grand opening that somehow managed to be polished, meaningful, and unexpectedly fun all at once.
What stood out most to me was hearing trade partners say they didn’t want to leave the job. In construction, that is rare—and it says everything about the culture, partnership, and sense of community Weidmann created throughout this project.
Thank you, Weidmann, for letting us be part of your journey. I’m incredibly proud of our team and grateful to have played a role in such a memorable project.
Learn more about this project and how it went from concept to certificate of occupancy in under a year: https://pcconstruction.com/news/concept-to-certificate-of-occupancy-in-under-a-year/
