Midwest Megaproject Construction Surges
Date Posted: March 10, 2026
Posted In: Environment/Sustainability, Featured, Ideas,
From ENR: Large-scale construction activity across the Midwest is accelerating, fueled by a combination of advanced manufacturing investment, renewable energy expansion and soaring demand for data centers. But industry leaders caution that the sector’s growth is being tested by power constraints, procurement challenges, workforce availability and owners’ rising expectations for speed and cost certainty.
Across the region, investment in advanced manufacturing continues to rise, particularly for automotive, battery, semiconductor and high-tech industrial facilities, says Elizabeth Zucker, president of Clayco’s St. Louis Business Unit and president of LJC.
“Advanced manufacturing, data centers and industrial have been the strongest sectors,” Zucker says. “Reshoring and federal incentives are driving manufacturing growth, while AI and cloud expansion are accelerating demand for mission-critical facilities.”
Energy Sector Diversifying
Automakers and their partners have been especially active across Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, where multibillion dollar electrification and supply chain projects are underway, adds Chuck Binkowski, chief operating officer at Barton Malow.
Energy is equally strong—and diversifying. Utility scale solar has surged, supported by both state policy and demand from new industrial loads, notes Scott Austin, general manager of renewables and clean power at Bechtel, adding that clean energy is now central to the region’s infrastructure boom.
A crucial issue ahead is power availability.
“Power availability and utility coordination will increasingly shape project viability, particularly for data centers and advanced manufacturing,” Zucker says.
Demand from AI driven data centers and electrified factories is outpacing the ability of utilities to deliver new capacity quickly. This is pushing developers to evaluate sites based on electrical infrastructure first—and often to make decisions years in advance.
At the same time, owners are demanding faster builds and more reliable pricing, which is spurring a shift in delivery models.
“Owners are demanding faster delivery and greater cost certainty, which is accelerating the shift toward more integrated design-build approaches,” Zucker says. Firms that align design, engineering and construction early “will be best positioned to deliver in this environment.”
Unprecedented Electricity Demand
Owners are prioritizing projects that are well planned, clearly funded and collaborative.
“This environment will place greater emphasis on collaborative delivery, early contractor involvement and disciplined planning,” Binkowksi says.
Austin says the power sector will see continued urgency—and complexity—as utilities and developers race to meet unprecedented electricity demand.