Contractors are increasingly pursuing work tied to power generation, utilities and site preparation as tech companies race to expand AI capacity nationwide.

The AI-fueled data center boom continues to be one of construction’s strongest growth drivers in 2026, with major contractors reporting strong backlogs, rising revenues and expanding opportunities tied to digital infrastructure projects. Executives across the industry said demand for hyperscale facilities remains robust even as other construction sectors soften.

Contractors are increasingly pursuing work tied to power generation, utilities and site preparation as tech companies race to expand AI capacity nationwide. Industry leaders also noted growing challenges tied to labor availability, electrical equipment lead times and power access, which are becoming critical factors in where projects move forward. Despite those pressures, firms remain bullish on long-term demand for AI and data center construction.

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