The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), published monthly by Dodge Construction Network at www.construction.com, expanded +2.4% in September to 288 points (2000=100) from the downwardly revised August reading of 281.3 points. Over the month, commercial planning declined -1.3% and institutional planning grew +9.4%. The DMI is a monthly measure based on the three-month moving value of nonresidential building projects going into planning, shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year to 18 months.  

“Institutional planning led this month’s growth, alongside a strong uptick in education, healthcare, and government building planning,” said Sarah Martin, director of Economic Research at Dodge Construction Network, in the press release. “Milder growth was seen across several other commercial sectors, as well. As steady growth resumes across most nonresidential sectors, construction spending in those sectors should see a marginally stronger late 2027.”  

Commercial planning activity strengthened across retail stores, hotels, office buildings and parking garages over the month. However, this was more than offset by slower momentum in data center and warehouse planning. Robust growth in education, healthcare and public planning led the strong growth in the institutional portion of the DMI. Year-over-year, the DMI was up +3.7% when compared to Sept. 2025. The commercial portion of the index was down -3% and the institutional portion was up +17.2% over the same period. When removing data centers, the commercial segment would be down -14.9% from year-ago levels, given the surge in activity seen in late 2025.  

A total of 45 projects valued at $100 million or more entered planning throughout September. The largest commercial projects included the $480-million Project North data center in Jermyn, PA; and two $473-million data centers, EDCAUS15 and EDCAUS16, in Bastrop, TX. The largest institutional projects to enter planning included the $346-million Duke Raleigh Hospital addition in Raleigh, NC; the $325-million Spartanburg Regional Heart & Vascular Hospital in Spartanburg, SC; and the $319-million WakeMed Hospital in Wendell, NC.