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Data center surge offsets weakness in other categories.

BOSTON, MA – May 7, 2025 — The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), issued by Dodge Construction Network, grew 0.9% in April to 205.1 (2000=100) from the downwardly revised March reading of 203.1. Over the month, commercial planning grew 3.3% while institutional planning fell 4.2%. 

“Despite an uptick in April, the bulk of the DMI’s growth was driven by a surge in data center planning, while momentum in other nonresidential sectors lagged behind,” stated Sarah Martin, associate director of forecasting at Dodge Construction Network. “Owners and developers are navigating heightened economic and policy uncertainty, which likely bogged down much of this month’s planning activity.”  

A wave of data center projects entering planning played a key role in boosting commercial growth. Without data centers, commercial planning would have receded 2.3% in April and the entire DMI would have receded 3.0%. Office and hotel planning saw a sharp retreat this month, while warehouse and retail planning modestly ticked up. On the institutional side, planning momentum waned for education, healthcare, and government buildings. This was slightly offset by an uptick in recreational projects.  

In April, the DMI was up 22% when compared to year-ago levels. The commercial segment was up 20% from April 2024, and the institutional segment was up 26% after a weak April last year. If we remove all data center projects between 2023 and 2025, commercial planning would be down 1% from year-ago levels and the entire DMI would be up 7%.  

 A total of 40 projects valued at $100 million or more entered planning throughout April. The largest commercial projects included the TA Realty LLC Data Center campus in Dulles, Virginia – which includes five data centers, each valued at $384 million. It also included the $350 million QTS Data Center DFW2-DC3 in Lancaster, Texas and the Powhatan Data Center Campus in Powhatan, Virginia – which includes three data centers, each valued at $300 million. The largest institutional projects to enter planning were the $493 million Revere High School in Revere, Massachusetts, the $230 million Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center Hospital Tower in Clackamas, Oregon, and the $203 million Kailua-Kona Hospital in Kaiminani, Hawaii.  

The DMI is a monthly measure of the value of nonresidential building projects going into planning, shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. 

The post Dodge Momentum Index Increases 1% in April appeared first on Dodge Construction Network.

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