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The strength outside the data center boom is starting to show non-residential construction planningaccording to Dodge Construction Network.
The Dodge Momentum Index, a measure of nonresidential construction projects entering the planning stage, rose 2.4% month over month in September, according to a news release Wednesday. Institutional planning rose 9.4% for the month, although commercial planning fell 1.3%, the report said.
“Institutional planning led growth this month, along with strong increases in education, health and government building planning,” said Sarah Martin, director of economic research at Dodge Construction Network. “Softer growth was also seen in several other business sectors.”
Martin added as planning grows on other non-residential projects, construction expenditure in these sectors they should have a slightly stronger end to 2027.
Within the commercial segment, planning improved month-on-month in retail, hotel, office building and garage projects, according to Dodge. However, weaker data center and warehouse planning activity offset much of this growth.
However, data center projects still represent the lion’s share of business planning activity, despite the weaker figures in the last two months. without the data center workbusiness planning would have fallen 14.9% year-on-year in September, instead of a 3% drop, the report said.
Institutional planning, which includes health and education, rose 17.2% year-on-year in September. The boost pushed the overall index up 3.7% above the September 2025 level.
A total of 45 projects valued at $100 million or more entered planning in September, according to Dodge. Major commercial projects include:
- The $480 million Project North data center in Jermyn, Pennsylvania.
- Two $473 million data centers in Bastrop, Texas.
In the institutional field, the most important projects were:
- The $346 million addition to Duke Raleigh Hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina.
- The $325 million Spartanburg Regional Heart & Vascular Hospital in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
- The $319 million WakeMed Hospital in Wendell, North Carolina.
