A barometer of the national economy, the building industry has faced challenges over the last several months. Its growth trajectory has fluctuated in the face of those challenges.

Recent data, however, reveals the industry may be settling down into a consistent path of growth.

According to the Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), construction planning increased by 6.2% in April. The DMI is published by the Boston-based, construction data analytics firm Dodge Construction Network. It is a monthly measure of the three-month moving value of nonresidential building projects going into planning. According to Dodge, the DMI has shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year, and by as much as 18 months.

The DMI rose to 264 points on the scale, from 248 in March. It is also up by more than 14% from April 2025.

The index has been on a general upswing from 160 in mid-2023. It peaked at 300 in 2025 before descending to its current levels.

According to Sarah Martin, director of economic research at Dodge Construction Network, the industry is now stabilizing. “After three months of slowing momentum, nonresidential planning began to find its footing in April,” she said.

The index is comprised of two segments, commercial and institutional. The commercial segment, which includes data centers, was up 8.1% for the month. Institutional planning, which includes educational, healthcare and other public projects, increased by 1.5%.

Dodge reports that a total of 44 projects valued at $100 million or more entered into planning throughout March. Of those, the largest were three data centers planned in West Virginia, Texas and Maine.

Data centers weren’t the only drivers in the index. They were joined by a naval museum in San Diego, a children’s hospital in Downers Grove, Ill., and a naval housing project in Coronado, Calif.

Dodge notes that labor shortages, material costs and supply chain disruptions continue to negatively affect construction planning.