Construction Industry Outlook 2026
The construction industry entering 2026 marks a new phase where demand and backlogs remain historically strong—often eight to nine months of work in hand—but execution has become harder due to
The construction industry entering 2026 marks a new phase where demand and backlogs remain historically strong—often eight to nine months of work in hand—but execution has become harder due to
Ohio’s proposed data center ban has cleared its first legal hurdle. After Attorney General Dave Yost certified the petition summary as containing fair and truthful statements, this proposed amendment moves
Vivek Ramaswamy, an Ohio-born entrepreneur and former presidential candidate, has become a prominent voice shaping the state’s property tax reform conversation.
The Southern Ohio Data Center in Pike County is a proposed 10-gigawatt, AI-focused campus paired with a 9.2 GW natural gas power plant on the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant
The “Make America AI-Ready” initiative is a groundbreaking program launched by the U.S. Department of Labor to help American workers, business leaders, and construction professionals gain essential artificial intelligence (AI)
Executive Order 14173 marks a significant shift in federal policy by revoking prior affirmative action and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) requirements, and emphasizing a merit-based approach to employment and
The numbers tell a story of two construction economies operating side by side. Early 2026 U.S. construction data reveal surging data center construction spending driven by artificial intelligence, cloud computing,
February 2026 recorded the slowest construction hiring rate since federal tracking began. Job openings dropped to approximately 202,000, down sharply from both January 2026 and February 2025. This decline signals
This information-packed conference brings together construction professionals for a full day focused on the issues that matter most to contractors, including leadership, business strategy, workforce and HR, legal and legislative
The ABC Awards Gala for Excellence in Construction is the industry’s premier celebration honoring outstanding projects, professionals, and companies. This annual event brings together hundreds of construction leaders to recognize
Join ABC Ohio Valley members for a memorable day of competitive shooting at the exclusive Elk Creek Hunt Club. This popular event brings together shooters of all skill levels for
The annual golf outing at the award-winning Blue Ash Golf Course brings together contractors and industry partners for a full day of competition, networking, and fun. Participants enjoy 18 holes
The Top Performers Breakfast is a panel discussion by a group of award winning contractors who share with the audience what sets them apart and what it takes to be
Safety Day brings contractors together to strengthen and maintain world-class jobsite safety practices. Attendees can choose from expert-led breakout sessions covering today’s most important safety topics, connect with vendors offering
Imagine a project that isn’t built with lumber, brick, or steel, but instead uses creatively-arranged canned goods to bring a spectacular sculpture to life. That’s what Dayton Canstruction is all
Key Takeaways AI is no longer a future concept in construction—it’s a strategic tool actively shaping how commercial, infrastructure, and industrial projects are planned, managed, and delivered in 2026 and
Construction education through the Ohio Valley Construction Education Foundation (OVCEF) combines nationally recognized craft training, OSHA-authorized safety courses, and career development programs that lead directly to real construction jobs and
The U.S. construction workforce shortage has become a defining challenge since roughly 2018, with industry estimates indicating that 300,000–500,000 additional workers are needed annually through at least 2030 just to
