Most sectors outside of data centers pulled back on new construction starts.
Data center projects were the only major driver of commercial construction projects in March, reports Sebastian Obando in Construction Dive. "The Dodge Momentum Index, a measure which tracks nonresidential construction projects entering the planning stages, rebounded to rise 1.8% month to month in March, according to Dodge Construction Network."
According to Obando, "Commercial planning increased 7% over the month, but activity slowed across nearly every sector outside of data centers. Institutional projects, for example, dropped 8.8%, with only education and public buildings posting small gains."
Commercial planning increased by 28.5% since March 2025, but would have dropped by 12.7% without the data center boom.
Read the full story: Data centers powered March construction planning almost exclusively
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