PITTSBURGH, PA — October 2026 — Steel City Billboards, a locally owned and family-operated outdoor advertising company, is proud to announce a 20-year land lease agreement with the Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA), which operates Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and Allegheny County Airport (AGC).

The agreement follows a public Request for Proposal issued by the Airport Authority in August 2024 seeking an experienced outdoor advertising partner to develop, construct, manage, and maintain billboard locations on Authority-controlled property.

Through this partnership, Steel City Billboards is developing six new billboard structures at Allegheny County Airport (AGC) in West Mifflin, introducing five digital displays and seven traditional static billboards. The project represents one of the company’s largest infrastructure investments to date and marks another important chapter in its continued growth throughout the Pittsburgh region.

Construction Well Underway at Allegheny County Airport

Construction is already progressing rapidly, with Steel City Billboards recently completing the installation of all six columns in just four days.

The undertaking required extensive planning with the Airport Authority to ensure construction would move forward safely and efficiently. With all six columns now in place, the project is approximately halfway complete. Work continues on assembling and installing the head sections, followed by electrical work and digital display installation.

The preparation behind the project was equally important. Mitchell’s father, Jim Fowkes, played a critical role in financial planning, projections, and behind the scenes work that helped position the company for this opportunity. Mitchell led the evaluation of the proposed billboard locations and determined the types of structures and displays best suited for each site. His sister, Leah Fowkes, dedicated countless hours to developing and assembling the proposal submitted to the Airport Authority, while Matt Schulze participated in the site walkthrough and construction presentation. The company also welcomed Jason Thompson as a new partner, bringing experience in out-of-home and media production for 25+ years. Jason played an important role throughout the proposal process, also opening his office to the team for countless planning sessions where everyone worked together to evaluate locations, exchange ideas, develop its strategy, and carefully work through every detail of the proposal.

“Securing this 20-year agreement with the Allegheny County Airport Authority is an incredible milestone for our company,” said Mitchell Fowkes, owner of Steel City Billboards. “As a family-owned business here in Pittsburgh, we’re extremely proud to have earned this opportunity. We’ve worked hard over the years to grow our company, invest in quality locations, and build lasting relationships. Being selected for a project of this scale is something we’re obviously excited about, and we’re grateful for the confidence the Airport Authority has placed in us.”

Built Through Strong Industry Partnerships

Behind the progress at Allegheny County Airport is a coordinated effort involving experienced contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, and installation teams, each playing an important role in bringing the project to life.

Steel City Billboards partnered with Selective Structures for the fabrication of the steel structures, while Formetco was selected to provide the digital billboard displays and Irvin Hardware supplied LED lighting for the static units.

Foundation drilling was performed by Glenn McGann, owner of North Alabama Drilling, with SignStat Signs serving as the lead installation crew and Ohio Outdoor providing a second installation team. Working simultaneously, both crews helped streamline the construction process. Latrobe Excavation handled site preparation and excavation throughout the airport property. We encountered rock at site five and one, so we had to pivot, and had to adjust the plans to accommodate redesigned spread foundations.

AvCo Concrete & Builder Supply supplied approximately 125 yards of concrete for the project. Their team went above and beyond, working extended hours and coordinating closely with our crews to ensure each foundation was successfully completed and the project remained on schedule.

Coordinating the work with multiple companies across six separate locations required careful scheduling and communication, particularly given the airport environment and the logistical challenges associated with accessing several of the sites. Mitchell’s brother-in-law, Eric Leathem, has also been instrumental throughout construction, spending long hours on-site, helping coordinate crews, and moving installation teams between locations to keep the project running smoothly.

“One of the things I’m most proud of is the team we’ve brought together to make this happen,” Fowkes said. “Setting six columns in four days was an incredible accomplishment, but it didn’t happen by accident. Every company involved has played an important role, and so has our family and the team behind the scenes. My mom, Bonnie, has supported us from day one, and when this opportunity came along, she simply said, ‘Go for it!’ That’s the kind of support that means everything to us. We’ve been fortunate to work alongside some outstanding people, and seeing everyone’s hard work come together is something I’m incredibly proud of.”

A Long-Term Partnership Focused on Growth

The Airport Authority’s public solicitation emphasized the development of professionally designed, high-quality outdoor advertising that would create opportunities for local, regional, and national businesses while generating long-term value for the Authority.

Steel City Billboards’ approach supports those objectives by developing new advertising opportunities along highly traveled corridors surrounding Allegheny County Airport, including Lebanon Church Road and Route 885.

The new locations will provide advertisers with additional opportunities to reach commuters, residents, airport-related traffic, and consumers traveling throughout the South Hills and surrounding communities. With both digital and traditional billboard displays, the new inventory will accommodate a variety of advertising needs, from long-term brand awareness campaigns to time-sensitive promotions.

Continued Expansion Across the Pittsburgh Market

The Allegheny County Airport project is the latest development in Steel City Billboards’ ongoing expansion throughout Western Pennsylvania.

Over the past several years, the company has continued to invest in new billboard locations, expand its digital advertising network, and strengthen its relationships with local businesses, national advertisers, and advertising agencies. While its inventory and market presence have grown, Steel City Billboards remains committed to the personal service, local relationships, and hands-on approach that have helped shape the company.

The 20-year agreement with the Allegheny County Airport Authority provides an opportunity to continue that growth while establishing a lasting presence at one of the region’s most recognizable aviation facilities. With construction moving forward, Steel City Billboards looks forward to completing the new structures and introducing these advertising opportunities to businesses throughout the Pittsburgh market.

About Steel City Billboards

Steel City Billboards is a Pittsburgh-based, family-owned outdoor advertising company specializing in premium digital and traditional billboard displays throughout Western Pennsylvania. The company owns and manages a growing network of advertising locations across the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, helping local, regional, and national businesses connect with consumers through highly visible outdoor advertising.

For more information, visit www.steelcitybillboards.com.