US Nonresidential Construction Planning Fell 9% in October, Dodge Reports

Economic pressures softened nonresidential building planning activity in October, according to Dodge Construction Network. The Dodge Momentum Index fell 9% month over month, led by a 13.4% drop in commercial planning, while institutional planning slipped 1.5%. Sarah Martin, director of economic research at Dodge, attributed the commercial decline to slower data center and warehouse planning, along with slower office and hotel planning, with retail being the only commercial segment to gain. On the institutional side, education and religious building planning slowed, though healthcare planning improved. In total, 23 projects valued at $100 million or more entered planning during October, including data centers in Wyoming, Iowa, and Texas, as well as healthcare and laboratory facilities in California and North Carolina.

Key takeaways

• The Dodge Momentum Index fell 9% month over month in October, with commercial planning down 13.4% and institutional planning down 1.5%.
• Commercial planning weakness was driven by slower activity in data centers and warehouses, alongside slowdowns in offices and hotels, while retail posted gains.
• Year over year through October, institutional planning rose 33.4%, while commercial planning fell 17.6%, leaving the overall index down 2.4% since October 2025.
• A total of 23 projects valued at $100 million or more entered planning in October, including data centers in Wyoming, Iowa, and Texas, and medical and lab facilities in California and North Carolina.