After another disappointing finish by the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs, there was some welcome news last week. The team’s new Highmark Stadium, which is expected to open in 2026, installed its first steel beam at the location.

According to The Buffalo News, most of that product — 60% — will come from New York state in one of the largest construction projects ever in the region. “We wanted to see domestic steel, and we’re obviously looking for as much of the materials and labor to be as local as possible,” Steven Ranalli, president at Erie County Stadium Corp., told The News.

Just as promising is the economic benefit the project is having on the area’s economy. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office said more than 800 workers have been involved in the project, with about 300 working at the site daily. State officials expect that to increase to 1,500 a day as some of the more detailed work happens.

So even though there is only one more game to be played in the National Football League season, there’s plenty more work to be done when it comes to the new facility.