➤ Key Highlights
The boom in data center construction continued into 2026.
New data center groundbreakings, plans for additional developments, and legislation to streamline permitting continued at the end of 2025.
CleanArc Data Centers broke ground on a 900-megawatt campus in Virginia.
The full buildout of the Virginia campus is expected by 2035.
Dodge Construction Network reported that megaprojects are boosting the building pipeline as overall momentum dipped for a second consecutive month.
The EPA is streamlining Clean Air Act permitting to accelerate data center development.
Crews began the first phase of construction on the $15 billion Lighthouse data center campus in Port Washington, Wisconsin, expected to complete in 2028.
Jacobs started a $10 billion data center project in Louisiana for Hut 8.
Major new data center projects began construction in several U.S. locations, with large-scale investments and campus groundbreakings reported. Legislation and regulatory streamlining measures were enacted to accelerate the permitting process for data center development. Industry data shows that while certain megaprojects are increasing the development pipeline, overall project momentum has dipped for a second consecutive month.
This event demonstrates how the physical infrastructure landscape is being reshaped by shifting investment patterns and regulatory frameworks. The convergence of large-scale developments with evolving policy support introduces new complexities to the sector. Changes in permitting processes and the scale of projects reflect a move toward more adaptive and layered approaches to infrastructure delivery. These dynamics highlight the multifaceted nature of growth and transformation within large physical asset classes.
⚠️ Why it matters now
For CRE professionals, understanding the interplay between regulatory adjustments and investment flows is essential as infrastructure projects become more complex. Regulatory and investment reconfigurations can influence timelines, project feasibility, and strategic decision-making. Awareness of these layered complexities supports more informed participation in development, capital allocation, and operational planning across the sector.
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➤ TAKEAWAY
The sector may continue to see ongoing adjustments in both investment approaches and regulatory structures as new projects advance. Stakeholders could encounter evolving requirements and opportunities shaped by the interaction of policy changes and large-scale development activity. Monitoring these configurations will be important to navigate the forward trajectory of infrastructure projects.








