ConstructConnect recorded $9.4 billion in data center construction starts across 18 U.S. projects in September, less than half of August's revised record of $25.8 billion. Year-to-date starts reached $135.8 billion across 178 projects, and ConstructConnect said the 2026 total is on pace to exceed $180 billion, about $20 billion above its latest full-year forecast.

The accompanying state map shows year-to-date 2026 starts spending concentrated in a handful of states. Texas leads at $22.6 billion, followed by Pennsylvania at $17.4 billion, Virginia at $14.5 billion and North Carolina at $13.9 billion. Illinois shows $10.3 billion, while Michigan, Indiana and Arkansas each show $10.0 billion. Wisconsin shows $6.0 billion, Georgia $4.7 billion and Ohio $3.8 billion.

ConstructConnect grouped the spending into three areas. The West South Central division, which includes Texas and Arkansas, totaled $33.6 billion. The South Atlantic division, covering states from Maryland to Florida, totaled $36.2 billion. The region running from Wisconsin southeast through Ohio topped $40 billion.

Data centers account for 27% of the $500.2 billion in total U.S. nonresidential building starts recorded in 2026. The 12-month moving average of monthly data center starts fell to $14.9 billion after September's figure. Two projects, one in Pennsylvania and one in West Virginia, each worth $2 billion, broke ground in September and ranked as the largest that month.

ConstructConnect is also tracking $74.8 billion across 115 planned data center projects expected to start in the next six months. The firm noted that planned projects remain in preconstruction and are not guaranteed to break ground.

Source: ConstructConnect News - https://news.constructconnect.com/november-2026-data-center-report-september-adds-9.4b-in-construction-starts-costs-continue-to-increase