“We are monitoring how cost conditions evolve, and we expect some sectors, like office and retail, to remain selective even as activity resurges,” he says.

“Economic strengths include public investment in infrastructure and facilities, continued growth in advanced manufacturing and a workforce that’s being reshaped by technology and new career pathways.

Weaknesses are workforce capacity, pricing instability, procurement uncertainty and the ongoing need to align project expectations with today’s construction costs.”

Kieffer says Big-D’s 2026 focus is on major public infrastructure and transit projects, health care facility expansion and modernization work as well as continued investment in advanced manufacturing and industrial development. “We’ll also be monitoring adaptive reuse and reinvestment in existing buildings, along with trends in new office development opportunities,” he adds.