Institutional and Nonbuilding Gains Temper Declines in Commercial Starts

BOSTON, MA — October 21, 2026 — Total construction starts declined 1.5% in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.33 trillion, according to . Nonresidential building starts fell 6.3% over the month, residential starts ticked down 0.3%, and nonbuilding improved by 5.5%. On a year-to-date basis, total construction starts were up 14.3% through September. Nonresidential starts were up 23.7%, nonbuilding starts improved by 18.4%, and residential starts were down 1.7% over the same period. For the 12 months ending September 2026, total construction starts were up 13.6% from the 12 months ending September 2025. Residential starts were down 2.9%, nonresidential starts were up 18.7% and nonbuilding starts were up 23.6%.  

“Construction starts edged lower in September, but gains in institutional and nonbuilding construction helped cushion the decline,” said Sarah Martin, Director of Economic Research at ����������վ. “These sectors provided a counterweight to weaker commercial and single-family starts.” 

Nonresidential 

Nonresidential building starts fell 6.3% in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $583 billion. Commercial starts were down 18.4% over the month. After a very strong August, hotel activity settled back 46.3% in September, alongside a 21.4% decline in offices and data centers, as well as a 21.0% pull back in manufacturing starts. Meanwhile, parking garages (+33.9% m/m) and commercial warehouses (+0.8%) improved over the month. Institutional starts had a more positive month, improving 16.3% in September, driven by stronger education starts (38.4% m/m) and miscellaneous institutional starts (6.5% m/m). Healthcare starts declined 3.0% over the month. On a year-to-date basis through September, nonresidential starts are up 23.7%. Commercial and industrial construction have gained 46.3%, while institutional starts are down 1.8% over the same period.  

For the 12 months ending September 2026, total nonresidential starts were up 18.7% compared to the 12 months ending September 2025. Commercial starts were up 47.7%, institutional starts decreased 2.8%, and manufacturing starts were up 3.4% over the same period.  

The largest nonresidential building projects to break ground in September were $4.6 billion South Valley Data Center in Silver Springs, Nevada, the $4.3 billion Beacon Point Data Center in Robstown, Texas, and the $2.0 billion Vantage V41 Data Center Campus in Fredericksburg, Virginia.   

Nonbuilding

Nonbuilding construction starts expanded 5.5% in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $377 billion. Supporting this rise, highway and bridge starts grew 20.8% throughout September, alongside miscellaneous nonbuilding starts (+13.7% m/m) and environmental public works (+0.8% m/m). Utility starts, meanwhile, pulled back 4.1% over the month. On a year-to-date basis through September, nonbuilding construction was up 18.4% alongside the 70.1% year-to-date growth in electric power/utilities, 3.8% in miscellaneous nonbuilding, and 0.9% growth in highways and bridges. Environmental public works are down 4.1% year-to-date.����

For the 12 months ending September 2026, total nonbuilding starts were up 23.6%. Environmental public works fell by 4.9% compared to the 12 months ending September 2025. Highway and bridge starts were up 1.3%, miscellaneous nonbuilding starts were up 11.3% and utility/gas starts increased 90.8% over the same period.  

The largest nonbuilding projects to break ground in September included the $1.7 billion Big Rooter Power Solar project in Bremond, Texas, the $1.6 billion Entergy Cypress Solar project in Redfield, Arkansas, and the $1.2 million Southwest Inertie North power lines project in Jerome, Nevada.  

Residential 

Residential building starts ticked down 0.3% in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $366 billion. Single family starts declined 7.4% m/m, while multifamily starts improved 11.3% m/m. On a year-to-date basis, residential starts are down 1.7%, with single family starts down 4.5% and multifamily starts up 3.0%.  

For the 12 months ending September 2026, total residential starts fell 2.9%. Single family starts fell 7.6% compared to the 12 months ending September 2025, and multifamily starts increased 5.3% over the same period. 

The largest multifamily structures to break ground in September included the $820 million Four Seasons condominium tower in Austin, Texas, the $544 million One Montague Place Mixed Residential & Commercial Tower in Brooklyn Heights, New York, and the $329 million Ombelle Mixed Use Residential Tower in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  

Regionally, total construction starts in September receded in the South Central (-20% m/m), Midwest (-13% m/m), and Northeast (-1% m/m). Conversely, the West (+33% m/m) and the South Atlantic (+7% m/m) improved over the month.����

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Institutional Planning Drives Growth����

BOSTON, MA – October 7, 2026 — The ����������վ Momentum Index (DMI), issued by Construction Network, expanded 2.4% in September to 288.0 (2000=100) from the downwardly revised August reading of 281.3. Over the month, commercial planning declined 1.3% and institutional planning grew 9.4%.  

“Institutional planning led this month’s growth, alongside a strong uptick in education, healthcare, and government building planning,” said Sarah Martin, Director of Economic Research at ����������վ. “Milder growth was seen across several other commercial sectors, as well. As steady growth resumes across most nonresidential sectors, construction spending in those sectors should see a marginally stronger late 2027.”  

Commercial planning activity strengthened across retail stores, hotels, office buildings and parking garages over the month. However, this was more than offset by slower momentum in data center and warehouse planning. Robust growth in education, healthcare, and public planning led the strong growth in the institutional portion of the Index. Year-over-year, the DMI was up 3.7% when compared to September 2025. The commercial portion of the index was down 3.0% and the institutional portion was up 17.2% over the same period. When removing data centers, the commercial segment would be down 14.9% from year-ago levels, given the surge in activity seen in late 2025.  

A total of 45 projects valued at $100 million or more entered planning throughout September. The largest commercial projects included the $480 million Project North data center in Jermyn, Pennsylvania, and two $473 million data centers, EDCAUS15 and EDCAUS16, located in Bastrop, Texas. The largest institutional projects to enter planning included the $346 million Duke Raleigh Hospital addition in Raleigh, North Carolina, the $325 million Spartanburg Regional Heart & Vascular Hospital in Spartanburg, South Carolina and the $319 million WakeMed Hospital in Wendell, North Carolina.    

The DMI is a monthly measure based on the three-month moving value of nonresidential building projects going into planning, shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year to 18 months.  

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Starts Normalize Following July’s Megaproject Surge

BOSTON, MA — September 21, 2026 — Total construction starts declined 24.8% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.34 trillion, according to . Nonresidential building starts fell 32.0% over the month, residential starts decreased 5.2%, and nonbuilding declined by 26.7%. On a year-to-date basis, total construction starts were up 15.2% through August. Nonresidential starts were up 23.4%, nonbuilding starts improved by 22.2%, and residential starts were down 1.8% over the same period. For the 12 months ending August 2026, total construction starts were up 14.5% from the 12 months ending August 2025. Residential starts were down 2.4%, nonresidential starts were up 17.9% and nonbuilding starts were up 27.6%.

“After a pop in activity last month, construction starts largely normalized throughout August,” stated Sarah Martin, Director of Economic Research at ����������վ. “Abstracting from the month-to-month volatility, the story remains consistent. Data center, semiconductor and energy construction are driving growth, while several other sectors are facing subdued activity alongside deeper labor shortages, and accelerating material prices.”

Nonresidential

Nonresidential building starts fell 32.0% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $624 billion. Commercial starts were down 37.6% over the month. Hotel construction more than tripled (+302.2% m/m) after a weak July, and retail stores improved by 26.9%. Meanwhile, all other commercial sectors faced declines, including offices and data centers (-31.3% m/m), parking garages (-24.9% m/m), and warehouses (-13.4% m/m). Institutional starts also slowed, pulling back 18.1% in August, driven by weaker education starts (-14.3% m/m) and miscellaneous institutional starts (-39.1% m/m). Following a weak July, healthcare starts normalized in August, rising 96.1% over the month. Manufacturing construction declined 80.8% m/m, after substantial megaproject starts last month. On a year-to-date basis through August, nonresidential starts are up 23.4%. Commercial and industrial construction have gained 47.7%, while institutional starts are down 3.9% over the same period.

For the 12 months ending August 2026, total nonresidential starts were up 17.9% compared to the 12 months ending August 2025. Commercial starts were up 48.6%, institutional starts decreased 4.3%, and manufacturing starts were up 2.8% over the same period.

The largest nonresidential building projects to break ground in August were $3.5 billion Amazon STACK Blanchard State Line Data Center (780 MW) in Mooringsport, Louisiana, the $3.2 billion Clarksville Hyperscale Data Center in Clarksville, Arkansas, and the $2.9 billion Bronx Detention Facility in Mott Haven, New York.  

Nonbuilding

Nonbuilding construction starts decreased 26.7% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $355 billion. Continuing their slide, highway and bridge starts fell back 20.8% in August while environmental public works ticked up 0.4%, miscellaneous nonbuilding dropped 70.5%, and utilities declined by 11.4% over the same period. On a year-to-date basis through August, nonbuilding construction was up 22.2% alongside the 69.9% year-to-date growth in electric power/utilities, 23.0% in miscellaneous nonbuilding, and 2.3% growth in highways and bridges. Environmental public works are down 4.2% year-to-date.

For the 12 months ending August 2026, total nonbuilding starts were up 27.6%. Environmental public works fell by 3.7% compared to the 12 months ending August 2025. Highway and bridge starts were up 2.7%, miscellaneous nonbuilding starts were up 37.6% and utility/gas starts increased 87.8% over the same period.

The largest nonbuilding projects to break ground in August included the $3.5 billion Steel River Energy Center (Phases 1 & 2) in Wilson, Arkansas, the $1.4 billion Bluegrass Power Generation (Phase 1) project in Jeffersonville, Ohio, and the $772 million Heritage Prairie Renewable Wind Farm (600 MW) in Dwight, Illinois.

Residential

Residential building starts declined by 5.2% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $364 billion. Single family starts remained flat, growing 0.4% m/m, and multifamily starts dropped -13.5% m/m. On a year-to-date basis, residential starts are down 1.8%, with single family starts down -4.6% and multifamily starts up 3.0%.

For the 12 months ending August 2026, total residential starts fell 2.4%. Single family starts fell 8.6% compared to the 12 months ending August 2025, and multifamily starts increased 8.7% over the same period.

The largest multifamily structures to break ground in August were the $1.1 billion 655 Madison Ave mixed use tower in New York, New York, the $244 million The Residences at The Nashville Edition (hotel/condominiums) in Nashville, Tennessee, and the $227 million 350 S. Fifth Avenue mixed use and affordable housing development in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Regionally, total construction starts in August fell in every region except the South Central; the Northeast (-52.6% m/m), the Midwest (-1.1% m/m), the South Atlantic (-24.2% m/m), and the West (-51.4% m/m) all saw declines. The South Central improved by 28.8% between July and August.

AUGUST 2026 CONSTRUCTION STARTS

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Broad Strength in Nonresidential Planning, Data Centers Pause

BOSTON, MA – September 8, 2026 — The ����������վ Momentum Index (DMI), issued by ����������վ, ticked down 0.4% in August to 282.0 (2000=100) from the downwardly revised July reading of 283.0. Over the month, commercial planning declined 3.0% and institutional planning grew 4.9%.

“Strength in planning momentum remained relatively broad-based in August,” said Sarah Martin, Director of Economic Research at ����������վ. “Weaker data center planning predominantly drove the flatter trend, while most other sectors saw an acceleration in planning momentum.”

Commercial planning activity slowed down for data centers, retail stores and warehouses throughout August, while office buildings, parking garages and hotels picked up steam. On the institutional side, education, recreational, and public buildings saw a stronger planning pipeline, while healthcare activity slightly pulled back after four months of sustained planning growth. Year-over-year, the DMI was up 4.2% when compared to August 2025. The commercial portion of the index was up 2.3% and the institutional portion was up 7.8% over the same period. When removing data centers, the commercial segment would be down 18.9% from year-ago levels, given the surge in activity seen in late 2025.

A total of 31 projects valued at $100 million or more entered planning throughout August. The largest commercial projects included two EdgeConneX Data Centers (Buildings 31 and 32) in Bastrop, Texas, each valued at $462 million, the $378 million Bitdeer Data Center (Phase 1, 150 MW) in Shalersville Township, Ohio, and a $358 million Data Center in Secaucus, New Jersey. The largest institutional projects to enter planning included the $350 million Colosseum Sports Resort in Stafford, Virginia, the $350 million Commonwealth Courts Building in Richmond, Virginia, and the $350 million Holistic Health and Fitness building in Newport News, Virginia.

The DMI is a monthly measure based on the three-month moving value of nonresidential building projects going into planning, shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year to 18 months.

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Twenty-Five $1 Billion-Plus Projects Lift Activity

BOSTON, MA — July 21, 2026 — Total construction starts popped 25.6% in July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.79 trillion, according to . Nonresidential building starts jumped 57.7%, residential starts increased 4.9% over the month, and nonbuilding climbed 2.2%. On a year-to-date basis, total construction starts were up 16.9% through July. Nonresidential starts were up 21.9%, nonbuilding starts improved by 29.8%, and residential starts were down 1.7% over the same period. For the 12 months ending July 2026, total construction starts were up 14.4% from the 12 months ending July 2025. Residential starts were down 2.7%, nonresidential starts were up 14.8% and nonbuilding starts were up 32.1%.  

“Megaproject driven volatility headlines a disjointed construction market,” stated Eric Gaus, Chief Economist at ����������վ. “There is strength in pockets, multifamily within residential, data centers within commercial, energy within non-building, but also verticals struggling to stabilize.”  

Nonresidential 

Nonresidential building starts jumped 57.7% in July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $917 billion. Commercial starts were up 70.0% over the month. Offices and data centers, more than doubled (+107.9% m/m), offsetting weaker warehouse growth (+1.0% m/m) and declining hotels (-51.5% m/m),  parking garages (-19.4% m/m), and retail stores (-9.5% m/m). Institutional starts improved 6.2% over the month, supported by a 4.5% m/m uptick in education and dormitory starts, as well as a 45.7% m/m gain in other institutional starts. Healthcare facilities doubled down on their losses, falling another 59.7% in July. Manufacturing construction starts bounced back with 277.8% m/m, continuing a volatile streak. On a year-to-date basis through July, nonresidential starts are up 21.9%. Commercial and industrial construction gained 44.2%, while institutional starts are down 3.5% over the same period.  

For the 12 months ending July 2026, total nonresidential starts were up 14.8% compared to the 12 months ending July 2025. Commercial starts were up 45.2%, institutional starts decreased 5.6%, and manufacturing starts were down 1.5% over the same period.  

The largest nonresidential building projects to break ground in July were the $12.8 billion data center portion of the Project Jupiter Data Center and Microgrid Phase 1 in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, the $12.0 billion Micron Semiconductor Mega-Factory Fab 1 – Phase 1 in Clay, New York, and the $4.0 billion Amazon STACK Highway 3 Data Center in Benton, Louisiana.   

Nonbuilding����

Nonbuilding construction��starts��increased 2.2% in��July��to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of��$485��billion.��Continuing their slide,��highway and bridge starts fell back��16.9% in��July��while��environmental public works fell 7.8%��and miscellaneous nonbuilding��dropped 5.3% over the same period. Meanwhile,��utilities improved��44.7% m/m. On a year-to-date basis through��July, nonbuilding construction was up��29.8% alongside the��94.1% year-to-date growth in electric power/utilities,��31.8% in miscellaneous nonbuilding, and��6.8% growth in highways and bridges. Environmental public works are down��4.8% year-to-date.����

For the 12 months ending July 2026, total nonbuilding starts were up 32.1%. Environmental public works fell by 5.1% compared to the 12 months ending July 2025. Highway and bridge starts were up 5.6%, miscellaneous nonbuilding starts were up 43.1% and utility/gas starts increased 105.6% over the same period.  

The largest nonbuilding projects to break ground in July included the $2.4 billion CHSRA New Track & Systems (Two Sections) in Bakersfield, California, the $2.3 billion microgrid portion of the Project Jupiter Data Center and Microgrid Phase 1 in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, and the $1.5 billion Transco Southeast Supply Enhancement Pipeline Expansion-SSE in Chatham, Georgia.  

Residential 

Residential building starts rose by 4.9% in July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $386 billion. Single family starts increased 4.3% m/m, and multifamily starts rose 5.7% m/m. On a year-to-date basis, residential starts are down 1.7%, with single family starts down 6.1% and multifamily starts up 6.4%. 

For the 12 months ending July 2026, total residential starts fell 2.7%. Single family starts fell 11.1% compared to the 12 months ending July 2025, and multifamily starts increased 13.0% over the same period. 

The largest multifamily structures to break ground in July were the $535 million NY Vue-Harbor Station South Residential Tower/Retail in Bayonne, New Jersey, the $343 million ICON Beach Waterfront Condominiums in Hollywood, Florida, and the $320 million 65 Franklin Mixed Residential & Commercial Building in New York, New York.  

Regionally, total construction starts in July rose in every region except the Midwest and South Central; the Northeast (117.7% m/m), the South Atlantic (28.7% m/m), and the West (61.4% m/m). The Midwest declined by 24.6% and South Central fell 9.3% between May and July.  ��

JULY 2026 CONSTRUCTION STARTS

����������վ ����������վ

����������վ leverages an unmatched offering of data, analytics, and industry-spanning relationships to generate the most powerful source of information, knowledge, insights, and connections in the commercial construction industry. The company powers five longstanding and trusted industry solutions—Dodge Construction Central, Principia Consulting, Blue Book Construction Network, Sweets, and IMS—to connect the dots across the entire commercial construction ecosystem. Together, these solutions provide clear and actionable opportunities for both small teams and enterprise firms. Purpose-built to streamline the complicated, ����������վ ensures that construction professionals have the information they need to build successful businesses and thriving communities.

With over a century of industry experience, ����������վ is the catalyst for modern commercial construction. To learn more, visit

Media Contact: Alyssa Orender | ����������վ | pr@construction.com

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Data Centers��Drive Growth, Institutional Planning Broadens It��

BOSTON, MA –��August��6, 2026��—��The ����������վ Momentum Index (DMI), issued by����Construction Network,��grew��6.9% in��July��to 291.7��(2000=100) from the upwardly revised��June��reading of 273.0. Over the month, commercial planning��expanded��4.1%��and��institutional planning grew 13.1%.����

“Data centers and broad-based growth across key institutional sectors supported stronger planning activity in July,” said Sarah Martin, Director of Economic Research at ����������վ. “Sustained planning activity should bolster construction in��late��2027, though real growth will prove more constrained as inflationary expectations are priced into project costs.”��

After a brief pause in June, data center planning momentum steadily picked up in July. Meanwhile, office, warehouse,��retail��and hotel planning��slowed��pace. Within the institutional��portion��of the index, planning momentum was more broad-based. Education, healthcare, recreational,��religious��and public building planning��all��accelerated in July. Most of the strong month-over-month��gain��can be attributed to education and public building starts, with the latter expanding over 100% in the last two months.��Year-over-year, the DMI was up��11.7% when compared to��July��2025.��The commercial��portion��of the index was up��13.8%��and��the institutional��portion��was up��7.6% over the same period.��When removing data centers, the commercial segment would be��down��16.2% from year-ago levels, given the surge in activity seen last July.����

A total of 59 projects valued at $100 million or more��entered��planning throughout June. The largest commercial projects included the $500 million Data Center Campus in Petersburg, Virginia, the $500 million DFW20C Data Center in Fairfield, Texas, and the $500 million Google Data Center (Project Avalon, Building 2) in Buffalo, West Virginia. The largest institutional projects to enter planning included the $351 million Northwestern Memorial Hospital Cancer Center in Chicago, Illinois, the $300 million��BeOne��Medicines Research and Development Facility (Expansion) in Pennington, New Jersey, and the $300 million Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Agricultural Complex in Houston, Texas.����

The DMI is a monthly measure based on the three-month moving value of nonresidential building projects going into planning, shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year to��18 months.����

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Starts Calibrate After Strong Growth in May  

BOSTON, MA — July 21, 2026 — Total construction starts declined 19.9% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.42 trillion, according to . Nonresidential building starts fell back 9.1%, nonbuilding starts decreased 37.7%, and residential starts decreased 2.2% over the month. On a year-to-date basis, total construction starts were up 11.1% through June. Nonresidential starts were up 6.2%, nonbuilding starts improved by 33.8%, and residential starts were down 3.5% over the same period. For the 12 months ending June 2026, total construction starts were up 10.6% from the 12 months ending June 2025. Residential starts were down 3.6%, nonresidential starts were up 4.9% and nonbuilding starts were up 34.3%.  

“After strong megaproject activity in May, construction starts came back down to earth throughout the month of June,” stated Sarah Martin, Director of Economic Research at ����������վ. “Residential and institutional construction remain weak, while commercial, industrial and nonbuilding construction continue to show strong year-to-date growth.”  

Nonresidential 

Nonresidential building starts receded 9.1% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $584 billion. Commercial starts were up 1.2% over the month, driven by a 29.5% m/m increase in parking garages, alongside growth in warehouses (+15.0% m/m), hotels (+8.1% m/m) and retail stores (+3.2% m/m). Offices and data centers, meanwhile, pulled back 3.7% m/m. Institutional starts improved 2.5% over the month, supported by an 8.0% m/m uptick in education and dormitory starts, as well as a 32.9% m/m gain in other institutional starts. Healthcare facilities fell back 29.9% in June. Manufacturing construction starts declined 62.9% m/m, normalizing after a surge in activity in May. On a year-to-date basis through June, nonresidential starts are up 6.2%. Commercial and industrial construction gained 17.9%, while institutional starts are down 7.3% over the same period.  

For the 12 months ending June 2026, total nonresidential starts were up 4.9% compared to the 12 months ending June 2025. Commercial starts were up 28.0%, institutional starts decreased 6.8%, and manufacturing starts were down 22.6% over the same period.  

The largest nonresidential building projects to break ground in June were the $3.6 billion Delta Forge 1 Hyperscale Data Center Campus in Boyce, Louisiana, the $2.1 billion Sentinel Midstream Deepwater Port in Freeport, Texas, and the $2.0 billion AWS Data Center (Phase 2) in Canton, Mississippi.   

Nonbuilding 

 
Nonbuilding construction starts fell back 37.7% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $473 billion. After triple digit gains last month, highway and bridge starts fell back 46.6% in June and utilities declined 70.3%. Meanwhile, environmental public works improved 26.3% m/m and miscellaneous nonbuilding surged 168.3% over the same period. On a year-to-date basis through June, nonbuilding construction was up 33.8% alongside the 119.6% year-to-date growth in electric power/utilities, 17.0% in miscellaneous nonbuilding, and 10.8% growth in highways and bridges. Environmental public works are down 5.5% year-to-date.  

For the 12 months ending June 2026, total nonbuilding starts were up 34.3%. Environmental public works fell by 4.8% compared to the 12 months ending June 2025. Highway and bridge starts were up 7.8%, miscellaneous nonbuilding starts were up 36.2% and utility/gas starts increased 122.2% over the same period.  

The largest nonbuilding projects to break ground in June included the $3.6 billion CTA Red Line Extension Project in Chicago, Illinois, the $2.4 billion Cleveland Browns Huntington Bank Field Stadium in Brook Park, Ohio, and the $2.1 billion Amtrak Sawtooth Bridge Replacement in Kearny, New Jersey.  

Residential 

Residential building starts fell by 2.2% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $363 billion. Single family starts fell 3.4% m/m, and multifamily starts fell 0.4% m/m. On a year-to-date basis, residential starts are down 3.5%, with single family starts down 7.5% and multifamily starts up 3.7%. 

For the 12 months ending June 2026, total residential starts fell 3.6%. Single family starts fell 11.8% compared to the 12 months ending June 2025, and multifamily starts increased 11.8% over the same period. 

The largest multifamily structures to break ground in June were the $480 million 1740 Broadway residential conversion in New York, New York, the $251 million River Commons Residential and Community Facility in Concourse, New York, and the $191 million 40 Exchange Place residential conversion in New York, New York.  

Regionally, total construction starts in June fell in every region except the Midwest; the Northeast (-13.9% m/m), the South Atlantic (-32.7% m/m), the South Central (-33.5% m/m), and the West (-4.7% m/m). The Midwest improved by 3.0% between May and June.  

JUNE 2026 CONSTRUCTION STARTS

����������վ ����������վ

����������վ leverages an unmatched offering of data, analytics, and industry-spanning relationships to generate the most powerful source of information, knowledge, insights, and connections in the commercial construction industry. The company powers five longstanding and trusted industry solutions—Dodge Construction Central, Principia Consulting, Blue Book Construction Network, Sweets, and IMS—to connect the dots across the entire commercial construction ecosystem. Together, these solutions provide clear and actionable opportunities for both small teams and enterprise firms. Purpose-built to streamline the complicated, ����������վ ensures that construction professionals have the information they need to build successful businesses and thriving communities.

With over a century of industry experience, ����������վ is the catalyst for modern commercial construction. To learn more, visit

Media Contact: Alyssa Orender | ����������վ | pr@construction.com

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Data Center Growth Cools from Record Pace, Planning Activity Remains Strong��

BOSTON, MA – July 8, 2026��—��The ����������վ Momentum Index (DMI), issued by��Dodge��Construction Network, fell 1.9% in June to 271.7 (2000=100) from the upwardly revised May reading of 277.1. Over the month, commercial planning declined 6.8%��and��institutional planning momentum grew 10.9%.����

“Despite June’s pullback, nonresidential planning remains on solid ground,” said Sarah Martin, Director of Economic Research at ����������վ. “Data center activity continued to drive the Index, but its pace moderated from the extraordinary levels seen in recent months and drove the��DMI��to pull back over the month. Otherwise, planning activity accelerated across��nearly every��other sector.”��

Within the commercial��portion��of the Index, slowing data center planning momentum drove this month’s decline.��Meanwhile, planning activity for traditional office buildings, warehouses, retail stores and hotels improved.��On the institutional side, healthcare planning continued to accelerate in May, alongside recreational,��government��and religious building activity.��Educational planning slowed down for the second consecutive month.��Year-over-year, the��DMI��was up 21.8% when compared to June 2025. Both the commercial and institutional segments were up also 21.8% over the same period. When removing data centers, the commercial segment would be up 7.6% from year-ago levels.����

A total of 59 projects valued at $100 million or more��entered��planning throughout June. The largest commercial projects included the $500 million��Stak��Energy AI Data Center Campus in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, the $480 million Project Swan Data Center Complex in Lakeland, Florida, and the $456.8 million Parcel A Data Center in Manassas, Virginia. The largest institutional planning projects included the $437 million��DCSO��Correctional Facility (Replacement) in Nashville, Tennessee, the $320 million Cone Health Hospital in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and the $303 million El Camino Health Hospital in Los Gatos, California.����

The��DMI��is a monthly measure based on the three-month moving value of nonresidential building projects going into planning, shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year to��18 months.����

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Megaprojects Support Growth

BOSTON, MA — June 18, 2026 — Total construction starts improved 34.1% in May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.78 trillion, according to . Nonresidential building starts grew by 17.8%, nonbuilding starts increased 91.9%, and residential starts fell 2.1% over the month. On a year-to-date basis, total construction starts were up 12.7% through May. Nonresidential starts were up 12.3%,  nonbuilding starts improved by 32.9%, and residential starts were down 4.9% over the same period. For the 12 months ending May 2026, total construction starts were up 12.5% from the 12 months ending May 2025. Residential starts were down 4.6%, nonresidential starts were up 11.7% and nonbuilding was up 33.2%.

“Megaproject starts within healthcare, manufacturing, utilities and data centers drove sizeable gains across the month,” stated Sarah Martin, Director of Economic Research at ����������վ. “Outside of this activity, however, pockets of weakness across institutional construction, warehouses and residential construction remain.”

Nonresidential

Nonresidential building starts improved 17.8% in May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $647 billion. Commercial starts were up 0.8% over the month, driven by the 20.2% m/m increase in offices and data centers, while all sectors experienced declines; parking garages (-53.6% m/m), hotels (-36.8% m/m), warehouses (-17.0% m/m), and stores (-6.2% m/m). Institutional starts gained 17.4% over the month, supported by the 138.8% m/m surge in healthcare construction and offset by the -15.1% m/m decline in education starts. Manufacturing construction rebounded 116.1% m/m in May, alongside the start of the $5 billion Rivian Electric Vehicle Plant. On a year-to-date basis through May, nonresidential starts are up 12.3%. Commercial and industrial construction gained 32.9%, while institutional starts are down 8.8% over the same period.

For the 12 months ending May 2026, total nonresidential starts were up 11.7% compared to the 12 months ending May 2025. Commercial starts were up 26.6%, institutional starts decreased 4.1%, and manufacturing starts were up 32.4% over the same period.

The largest nonresidential building projects to break ground in May were the $5 billion Rivian Electric Vehicle Plant in Social Circle, Georgia, the $3.0 billion Nebius Data Center (Buildings 1 & 2) in Birmingham, Alabama and the $2.8 billion World Trade Center Commercial Tower in New York, New York.

Nonbuilding
Nonbuilding construction starts surged 91.9% in May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $758 billion. Triple digit gains in highways and bridge starts (+111.3% m/m) and utilities construction (+195.6% m/m) drove gains, while environmental public works (-18.3% m/m) and miscellaneous nonbuilding (-13.1% m/m) slowed down. On a year-to-date basis through May, nonbuilding construction was up 32.9% alongside the 125.9% year-to-date growth in electric power/utilities and 12.1% growth in highways and bridges. The remaining sectors, however, are seeing declines. Environmental public works are down 5.5% year-to-date, and miscellaneous nonbuilding starts are down 12.1% over the same period.

For the 12 months ending May 2026, total nonbuilding starts were up 33.2%. Environmental public works fell by 2.5% compared to the 12 months ending May 2025. Highway and bridge starts were up 9.5%, miscellaneous nonbuilding starts were up 23.8% and utility/gas starts increased 121.6% over the same period.

The largest nonbuilding projects to break ground in May included the $13.5 billion LNG Export Facility in Hackberry, Louisiana, the $4.2 billion SR 400 Express Toll Lanes (Phase 3) project in Sandy Springs, Georgia and the $4.1 billion Brent Spence Bridge (Corridor #116649) project in Convington, Ohio.

Residential

Residential building starts fell by 2.1% in May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $373 billion. Single family starts fell 1.0% m/m, and multifamily starts fell 3.7% m/m. On a year-to-date basis, residential starts are down 4.9%, with single family starts down 9.4% and multifamily starts up 3.6%.

For the 12 months ending May 2026, total residential starts fell 4.6%. Single family starts fell 13.5% compared to the 12 months ending May 2025, and multifamily starts increased 12.7% over the same period.

The largest multifamily structures to break ground in May were the $867 million 111 Wall Street Residential Conversion in New York, New York, the $633 million River’s Edge Continuing Care Retirement Community (Phase 1) in Bronx, New York and the $271 million Cherry Lane Residential Tower (Phase 1) in Denver, Colorado.

Regionally, total construction starts in May rose in every region except the Midwest; the Northeast (+33.5% m/m), the South Atlantic (+36.5% m/m), the South Central (+87.6% m/m), and the West (+24.4% m/m). The Midwest declined by 8.4% between April and May.

MAY 2026 CONSTRUCTION STARTS

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Media Contact: Alyssa Orender | ����������վ | alyssa.orender@construction.com

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Planning Activity��Broadens Beyond Data Centers

BOSTON, MA��–��June��5,��2026��—��The ����������վ Momentum Index (DMI), issued by ����������վ increased��5.9%��in��May��to��275.7��(2000=100) from the��downwardly��revised��April��reading of��260.4.��Over the month,��commercial planning��expanded 6.9%��and��institutional planning��momentum��grew��3.1%.����

“Nonresidential planning continued to stabilize throughout May,” said Sarah Martin, Director of Economic Research at ����������վ. “Growth in the DMI continued to be led by data center activity, but key sectors – such as healthcare, retail stores and offices – gained momentum as well. Nonetheless, the broader outlook remains cautious, as persistent labor constraints, elevated material costs and ongoing supply chain pressures weigh on owner sentiment in the near term.”��

Over the month, planning activity for traditional office buildings, data centers,��and retail stores improved, while��warehouse,��hotel and parking garage��planning slowed down.��On the institutional side,��healthcare planning continued to accelerate��in May, alongside government and religious building activity. Meanwhile,��educational��and recreational��building momentum��slowed down.��Year-over-year, the DMI was up��33.8% when compared to��May��2025. The commercial segment was up��41.2% (+6.6% when data centers are removed) and the institutional segment was up��17.7% over the same period.����

A total of��29��projects valued at $100 million or more��entered��planning throughout��May.��The largest��commercial projects��included��the��EDCAUS11 and EDCAUS12 data centers in Bastrop, Texas, each valued at an estimated $437 million.��Additionally, the $432 million Wallace Jackson Industrial Park Data Center (Building 4) in Griffin, Georgia entered the planning queue.��The largest institutional��planning��projects were the��$400 million Coast Guard Training Center (TRACEN) modernization project in Cape May, New Jersey, the $400 million Fisk University Innovation Center in Nashville, Tennessee, and the $241 million Harborview Yesler Terrace Medical Office in Seattle, Washington.����������

The DMI is a monthly measure��based on the three-month moving��value of��nonresidential building projects��going into��planning, shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year��to��18 months.����

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