The Dodge Momentum Index, issued by Dodge Construction Network, increased 6.2 percent in April to 264.2 from the downwardly revised March reading of 248.8.
Over the month, commercial planning grew 8.1 percent and institutional planning momentum improved 1.5 percent.
According to Dodge, the momentum index 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.
“After three months of slowing momentum, nonresidential planning began to find its footing in April,” says Sarah Martin, director of economic research at Dodge Construction Network. “Data centers remain the largest driver behind growth in the Dodge Momentum Index, but several other sectors appeared to stabilize over the month. Macroeconomic risks remain weighted to the downside, with labor shortages, higher material costs and supply chain disruptions weighing on owner confidence in the near-term.”
Planning activity for traditional office buildings, data centers, warehouses, hotels and parking garages grew in April, while retail store planning slowed pace. On the institutional side, education and healthcare planning re-accelerated, while recreational, public and religious planning slowed down over the month.
Year-over-year, the momentum index was up 14.1 percent when compared to April 2025. The commercial segment was up 37.2 percent (up 5.8 percent when data centers are removed) and the institutional segment was up 28.8 percent over the same period.
Projects in planning
A total of 44 projects valued at $100 million or more entered planning throughout March.
The largest of those projects included the $500 million Google Data Center (building one) in Buffalo, West Virginia, the $470 million Stargate Data Center (Freebird Phase 2) in Burlington, Texas, and the $450 million Jay Data Center in Jay, Maine.
The largest institutional projects were the $256 million Navy Seal Museum in San Diego, the $178 million Lurie Children’s Hospital in Downer’s Grove, Illinois, and the $175 million Unaccompanied Housing improvement project at Naval Base Coronado in California.
Related: Dodge Momentum Index up in March