The AI infrastructure race hits a political reality check

The AI-driven data center boom has created demand for land, electricity and water, a dynamic that has spawned growing opposition from communities, utility grid operators and regulators.

By Joe Brettell and Jeff Berkowitz • April 14, 2025

Construction materials costs rise for third month on tariff pressures

Contractors are receiving price hike notices on several key inputs, complicating efforts to plan and budget new projects.

By Sebastian Obando • April 14, 2025

Amid tariff turmoil, Novartis commits to spending $23B on US manufacturing

Novartis expects the new capacity will allow it to produce all of its key medicines “end to end” in the U.S., as the Trump administration buffets global trade with tariffs.

By Jonathan Gardner • April 11, 2025

Tariff tensions threaten Canada’s construction market

In response to a trade war that experts say will hurt contractors in both countries, some Canadian jurisdictions have blocked U.S. firms from bidding on government contracts.

By Julie Strupp • April 11, 2025

Construction planning falters

Uncertainty around impacts from tariffs likely weighed on development decisions, said Sarah Martin, associate director of forecasting at Dodge Construction Network.

By Sebastian Obando • April 10, 2025

Chicago asks city contractors to cut invoices by 3%

The request to firms that had already signed contracts, sent by the city’s chief procurement officer, could put significant strain on small builders.

By Matthew Thibault • April 10, 2025

‘Unwelcome surge’ of project abandonments hits construction

Developers scrapped nearly twice as many private projects as public ones in March, according to the latest data from ConstructConnect.

By Sebastian Obando • April 9, 2025

Number of construction cranes in US cities dips 19%

Major markets counted fewer cranes in Q1, a sign of prolonged economic uncertainty.

By Zachary Phillips • April 8, 2025

March 2025 economic roundup

Rising costs and tariff uncertainty clouded the nonresidential construction outlook last month.

By Sebastian Obando • April 8, 2025

Tariffs will change the way projects are financed, delivered

Rising material costs from President Donald Trump’s trade war are altering how deals are structured and jobs are executed, writes a construction executive.

By Brian Gallagher • April 8, 2025

China readies 34% tariff on US imports starting April 10

The country's retaliation against President Donald Trump's trade policies builds upon previously announced duties.

By Max Garland • April 4, 2025

Sweeping new tariffs put future construction projects at risk

Despite exemptions for key building materials, import taxes announced Wednesday by President Donald Trump could lead to a slowdown in new work, experts say.

By Sebastian Obando • April 3, 2025

Hiring slows amid economic uncertainty

Job openings data indicate contractors are reluctant to dismiss workers, even as unfilled positions fell year over year.

By Zachary Phillips • April 2, 2025

Public projects boost construction spending to $1.26T high

Civil outlays in February fueled a record month for expenditures, but interest rates and tariff concerns continue to slow private growth.

By Sebastian Obando • April 2, 2025

Trump’s tariffs: Tracking the status of international trade actions

The U.S. has rolled out a deluge of tariffs, sparking responses from trading partners. Here's where each tariff – threatened or realized – currently stands.

By Philip Neuffer , Edwin Lopez • March 31, 2025

Construction and real estate companies can prepare for tax changes under Trump

How construction and real estate firms can prepare for tax changes under a Trump-led government in 2025.

By Marlon Fortineaux, Real Estate Tax Leader; Gene Garcia, Senior Analyst; Mac Carroll, Senior Analyst • March 31, 2025

The 9 largest commercial construction starts of February 2025

Groundbreakings held steady following a slow start to the year, with commercial activity offsetting slowdowns in multifamily and manufacturing, according to Dodge Construction Network.

By Sebastian Obando • March 27, 2025

The construction materials most at risk for tariffs

Rebar, structural steel, piping and ductwork are all facing price volatility, according to Skanska USA Building executive Steve Stouthamer.

By Sebastian Obando • March 25, 2025

Fed holds main rate steady, forecasts higher inflation, slower growth

“Growth looks like it's maybe moderating a bit, consumer spending moderating a bit, but still at a solid pace,” Fed Chair Jerome Powell said during a press conference.

By Jim Tyson • March 20, 2025

Construction planning posts smaller gains

Data centers kept momentum afloat in February, while institutional sectors lost steam, according to Dodge Construction Network.

By Sebastian Obando • March 17, 2025

Construction job openings drop 42% YOY as labor churn accelerates

Demand for construction workers has softened in recent months amid uncertainty stemming from President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

By Zachary Phillips • March 17, 2025

Balfour Beatty wary of tariffs amid profit dip

The London-based builder reported a jump in U.S. backlog and continues to see value in infrastructure work, but increased material prices could cause more pain.

By Matthew Thibault • March 14, 2025

IRA credits, energy demand continue to drive renewables investments

Despite the Trump administration’s focus on fossil fuels and opposition to the IRA, analysts anticipate the renewables market will continue benefiting from high energy demand.

By Diana DiGangi • March 14, 2025

Nonresidential construction prices notch ‘far-too-hot’ 9% annualized gain

Goosed by trade fears and rising iron, steel and lumber costs, inputs are likely to post year-over-year jumps for 2025, according to Associated Builders and Contractors.

By Joe Bousquin • March 13, 2025

How DOGE will impact Washington, DC-area apartment owners

Cuts to the federal workforce have multifamily pros wondering about potential effects on one of the country's hottest markets.

By Leslie Shaver • March 13, 2025