Data centers powered March construction planning almost exclusively

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Momentum in March development planning masks widespread tepidness throughout a lot of the trade.

The Dodge Momentum Index, a measure which tracks nonresidential development initiatives coming into the planning phases, rebounded to rise 1.8% month to month in March, in response to Dodge Development Community. The acquire marks the primary month-to-month enhance of the yr, following two consecutive drops to begin 2026.

However with out data center buildouts, drafting tables would look far much less energetic.

“Planning momentum in March was powered nearly completely by information middle initiatives, with most different sectors easing again,” mentioned Sarah Martin, affiliate director of forecasting at Dodge Development Community. “For some classes, this displays a pure reset after the outsized progress in late 2025.”

Industrial planning elevated 7% over the month, however exercise slowed throughout practically each sector exterior of knowledge facilities. Institutional initiatives, for instance, dropped 8.8%, with solely training and public buildings posting small beneficial properties.

Since March 2025, industrial planning has climbed 28.5% yr over yr, in response to Dodge. With out the info middle growth, nonetheless, industrial planning would have dropped 12.7% throughout that interval. Institutional planning elevated 19.6% in comparison with information from a yr in the past.

The report suggests elevated macroeconomic dangers are probably starting to feed into planning choices, mentioned Martin. Although synthetic intelligence builds appear shielded to this point, the outlook for different conventional development sectors, equivalent to workplace and retail initiatives, appears weaker.

Nonetheless, the index as a complete sits 25.8% increased than March 2025. That alerts a still-healthy pipeline of future development work from plans which have already been drafted.

A complete of 54 initiatives valued at $100 million or extra entered planning in March, in response to Dodge. Main industrial initiatives included:

• 17 particular person buildings, every valued at $500 million, for the Amazon information middle campus in Hamlet, North Carolina, or $8.5 billion mixed.
• 10 particular person buildings, every valued at $250 million, in relation to the Microsoft information middle DSM50 in Dallas, Iowa, for a $2.5 billion complete.

The biggest institutional initiatives to enter planning included:

• The $245 million MCLJ Outpatient Pavilion in San Diego.
• The $183 million Orlando Well being Viera part 1B in Viera West, Florida.
• The $175 million Bachelor Enlisted Quarters renovation undertaking at Camp Pendleton North in San Diego.