ConstructConnect announced that May 2026 Total Nonresidential Construction Starts — the sum of Nonresidential Building and Civil Construction — were $75.6 billion, up $1.0 billion from April’s revised reading of $74.6 billion.
Chief Economist Michael Guckes noted in the Construction Economy Snapshot that Office construction — which includes Data Centers — surged $4.3 billion to $8.9 billion, helping offset declines in Warehouses, Manufacturing, Sports and Convention Centers, and Hospitals.
The May 2026 Top 10 Project Starts highlight the developments driving the most significant investments by dollar volume.
ConstructConnect reported that May 2026 Total Nonresidential Construction Starts — the sum of Nonresidential Building and Civil Construction — were $75.6 billion, up $1.0 billion from April’s revised reading of $74.6 billion.
Chief Economist Michael Guckes noted that Office construction — which includes Data Centers — surged $4.3 billion to $8.9 billion, helping offset declines in Warehouses, Manufacturing, Sports and Convention Centers, and Hospitals.
Guckes added, "Despite the lack of headlines, opportunities abound for those not involved with data centers or megaprojects."
Outside of the data center ecosystem, Guckes said, " the fastest growing subcategory year-to-date has been Military spending, which is higher by 62% compared to the same period a year ago. Hospitals and Clinics rose 31%, while Shopping increased 16%, giving those three categories more than $28 billion in starts."
The May 2026 Top 10 Project Starts highlight the developments driving the most significant investments by dollar volume.
ConstructConnect Top 10 Project Starts chart from the June 2026 Construction Economy Snapshot. A square footage measure does not apply to alteration, some forms of industrial (e.g., petrochemical), and most engineering/civil work. Image: ConstructConnect
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