Key Takeaways

• Top 25 Columbus commercial construction firms reported average total contract volumes up 35% year over year in 2025, signaling a multiyear investment supercycle extending across the I-70 and I-75 corridors connecting Columbus to Cincinnati, Dayton, Springfield, and Lima.
• Demand is being driven by data centers (as evidenced by Vertiv’s 30% first-quarter 2025 sales growth), semiconductor-adjacent and advanced manufacturing, life sciences expansion, multifamily and adaptive reuse activity, healthcare facility construction, and federal infrastructure spending still working through Ohio counties.
• The primary constraint is not demand but capacity—particularly the 60,000-worker shortage across the Ohio Valley—meaning firms with workforce pipelines and bonding headroom can justify an aggressive growth play while others will be forced to walk away from work.
• ABC Ohio Valley’s apprenticeship programs across nine trades, the TOOLS Program, the Ohio Valley Construction Education Foundation partnership, and the relaunched Generation Z initiative represent practical levers to address the workforce bottleneck.
• This briefing is designed to help ABC Ohio Valley member leaders planning 2026-2027 strategy, with deeper data available in the Construction Industry Outlook 2026 hub and workforce solutions detailed in the Construction Workforce Shortage resource.

Introduction: Reading the 35% Growth Signal from Columbus

Reporting on the top 25 Columbus commercial construction firms in 2025 reveals a striking headline: average total contract volume is up roughly 35% year over year. This isn’t a single outlier project skewing the numbers. The surge spans data center projects, advanced manufacturing facilities, life sciences campuses, healthcare expansions, and multifamily developments across Central Ohio.

Sidebar: What is the Commercial Construction Industry?
Commercial construction refers to building, renovating, or expanding structures used for business and public services, focusing on functionality, capacity, safety, and long-term use of publicly shared spaces.
The commercial construction industry encompasses a network of professionals, companies, and regulatory bodies involved in designing, building, and delivering commercial projects, including developers, architects, engineers, contractors, and inspectors.

While the headline data originates from Columbus, the demand drivers producing this growth are already shaping bid lists and backlogs along the I-70 and I-75 corridors. Decision makers in Dayton, Springfield, Lima, and Cincinnati are seeing the same project types appear on planning agendas and public bid lists. The commercial construction industry dynamics producing 35% contract growth in Central Ohio are regional dynamics.

This article is written for ABC Ohio Valley member leaders—owners, presidents, CFOs, business development executives, and estimators—who must decide in 2025-2026 whether to position their firms for aggressive growth through 2027. The commercial construction process typically includes five main phases: development and planning, pre-construction, procurement, construction, and post-construction. Understanding where your firm stands across these phases determines whether you can capture your share of this market. In the following sections, we take a deeper look at how properties and projects are categorized and analyzed within the commercial construction industry.

ABC Ohio Valley serves merit-shop construction contractors through workforce development, safety education, advocacy, and member services designed to help members win work, increase productivity, and enhance profitability. This article functions as a strategic, Ohio Valley-centric briefing rather than a generic market overview. For deeper forward-looking data, consult the Construction Industry Outlook 2026 hub.

What Is Driving 35% Contract Growth in Central Ohio?

The 35% contract growth in Columbus connects to several discrete demand engines that are quantifiable and already visible in public filings and local planning commission agendas. These are not speculative trends—they represent committed capital and active procurement pipelines.

Primary demand drivers include:

Demand Driver	Key Indicators	Regional Impact
Data Centers	Vertiv’s 30% Q1 2025 sales growth in Central Ohio	Power management and cooling orders translating to sustained construction
Semiconductor-Adjacent Manufacturing	Supplier parks, precision machining plants along I-70/I-75	Cleanroom-equipped spaces, high-purity utilities
Life Sciences	MilliporeSigma’s $18.15M Miami Township project	Biopharma corridor emerging between Dayton and Cincinnati
Multifamily & Adaptive Reuse	Office-to-residential conversions, student housing	Steady revenue streams for mid-size contractors
Healthcare	Outpatient clinics, ambulatory surgery centers	Intensive MEP, infection control requirements
Federal Infrastructure	IIJA funding disbursing through 2027	Transit-adjacent retail, logistics parks

Although the reporting is branded as “Central Ohio,” these commercial projects and supply chains pull subcontractors, suppliers, and labor from across the Ohio Valley. Columbus growth is a regional opportunity—and a regional constraint.

Member firms should read the 35% figure not as a one-year anomaly but as evidence that a multiyear investment cycle is in full swing. The U.S. commercial construction market is projected to grow from $567.05 billion in 2026 to $723.25 billion by 2031, driven by logistics, data centers, retrofits, and public infrastructure work.

Data Centers, Advanced Manufacturing, and Life Sciences: Core Demand Engines

Mission-critical, advanced manufacturing, and life sciences work represent the most structurally durable components of the current cycle. Unlike retail stores or office buildings, which are tied to consumer spending patterns, these sectors are driven by structural technological shifts and federal investment.

Data Centers: Central Ohio’s AI and Cloud Cluster

Central Ohio has emerged as a data center cluster for AI and cloud computing. Vertiv’s roughly 30% first-quarter 2025 sales growth in Central Ohio reflects surging orders for power management and cooling systems, which translate directly into sustained building construction and retrofit work. Spending on data centers is expected to reach $51 billion by 2029, driven by demand for AI and cloud computing.

These mission-critical facilities require redundant power infrastructure, advanced HVAC for heat dissipation, specialized security systems, and low-voltage installations. For contractors, data center projects mean longer timelines, more coordination across trades, and rigorous commissioning processes that exceed standard commercial specs.

Semiconductor-Adjacent and Advanced Manufacturing

Along the I-70/I-75 corridors, supplier parks, precision machining plants, logistics hubs, and cleanroom-equipped spaces are sprouting to support chip fabrication ecosystems. These industrial facilities require vibration-controlled foundations, process piping, and high-purity utilities. E-commerce expansion is also driving significant growth in warehouse and fulfillment construction, with Amazon signing 31 million square feet of new leases in 2024 and planning a $15 billion logistics expansion.

Life Sciences Expansion

MilliporeSigma’s approximately $18.15 million project in Miami Township exemplifies the life sciences corridor emerging between Dayton and Cincinnati. This work involves cleanroom construction, process piping installations, high-specification mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, plus validated utilities to meet pharmaceutical-grade standards. These commercial sites require rigorous quality-control protocols, infection-control phasing, and ongoing maintenance contracts.

For ABC Ohio Valley members, these sectors mean tighter safety and QA/QC expectations, higher bonding thresholds, mission-critical commissioning, and ongoing maintenance contract opportunities. Prequalification barriers are higher, but so are the rewards.

What This Means for Merit Shop Contractors Along I-70 and I-75

The demand in Central and Southwest Ohio creates practical bid opportunities for merit shop firms across the Ohio Valley. The industrial and logistics segment of the U.S. commercial construction market is the fastest-growing, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 5.44% through 2031, fueled by e-commerce and reshoring demand.

Specific participation pathways include:

• Acting as prime contractors on mid-size facilities
• Positioning as specialty subcontractors (electrical, mechanical, process piping, concrete, steel, low voltage)
• Supplying prefabricated components and site services
• Pursuing ongoing maintenance and retrofit contracts

Data center and advanced manufacturing owners often favor contractors with strong safety records, documented prefabrication capabilities, and technology usage, including BIM and model-based coordination. Construction managers on these projects use rigorous prequalification screens. ABC Ohio Valley members have a compelling rationale for investing in these capabilities now.

Competition includes large national and Central Ohio-based firms. Turner Construction Company, for example, reported $20.2 billion in 2024 revenue with $12.6 billion in data center backlogs. Local merit shop contractors must leverage speed, flexibility, and regional relationships to win specific scopes where they can excel.

Multifamily, Adaptive Reuse, Healthcare, and Public Infrastructure: The Broader Market Base

While headline mega-projects draw attention, smaller and mid-scale commercial work in multifamily, adaptive reuse, healthcare, and infrastructure provides the base load of revenue across the Ohio Valley. Commercial construction projects can be categorized into four main types: new construction, renovations, tenant build-outs, and expansions, each requiring different levels of planning and coordination.

Multifamily and Adaptive Reuse

Multifamily and mixed-use development continues in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton. Adaptive reuse of obsolete office and retail assets into apartments, student housing, and ground-floor commercial is thriving amid housing shortages and tax incentives. Renovation projects are gaining momentum over new builds, with renovation expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.20% from 2026 to 2031 as owners seek cost and time advantages. These projects align with the skill sets of mid-size merit shop contractors for interior fit-outs, envelope upgrades, and phased tenant improvements.

Healthcare Facility Construction

Healthcare expansion sustains base-load work through outpatient clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, behavioral health facilities, and hospital modernizations along the corridors. Healthcare clinics and expanding structures require intensive MEP systems, strict infection control during live operations, and complex phasing to minimize disruptions. A new wing added to an existing hospital demands careful coordination around ongoing patient care.

Federal Infrastructure Pipeline

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is providing $1.2 trillion over five years, accelerating public infrastructure projects and creating opportunities for transit-adjacent commercial growth. Highway, bridge, transit, and utility dollars are still flowing into Ohio counties through at least 2027. This public investment spawns ancillary commercial projects, such as transit-adjacent retail, distribution centers, logistics parks, and municipal buildings, through public-private partnerships.

Project Type	Typical Contract Size	Likely Owners
Multifamily/Adaptive Reuse	$5M-$50M	Private developers, REITs
Healthcare Interiors/Expansions	$2M-$30M	Health systems, physician groups
Transit-Adjacent Commercial	$10M-$75M	Public-private partnerships, municipalities
Logistics/Distribution	$15M-$100M+	E-commerce, third-party logistics

Stability Through Diversification of Project Mix

While data centers and advanced manufacturing may be cyclical, combining them with multifamily, healthcare, and public-funded work can help smooth out backlogs and support a more confident 3-5-year growth plan. Office spending, excluding data centers, is projected to decline further in 2026 due to continued headwinds from hybrid work and e-commerce.

Member firms should map their current revenue mix against these segments and identify 1-2 adjacent sectors where they can credibly expand without diluting operational focus. The Construction Industry Outlook 2026 hub provides projected segment volumes for the Ohio Valley region.

Operational Preconditions for Capturing Growth

The 35% contract growth signal in Columbus is only an opportunity if a merit shop firm has the operational foundation to pursue, win, and execute larger and more complex work without overstressing the organization. Streamlining construction operations—including coordination, data utilization, and communication—is essential for enhancing efficiency and productivity in the commercial construction industry. Effective project management in commercial construction can significantly reduce total project costs by 5 to 10 percent through accurate budgeting, early problem-solving, and efficient scheduling.

Key Operational Pillars That Determine Readiness

• Bonding capacity (single-project and aggregate limits)
• Workforce headcount and skilled labor pipeline by trade
• Prequalification status with major owners and construction managers
• Project management bench strength
• Technology adoption for coordination and documentation
• Risk management discipline and safety culture

This section serves as a diagnostic tool, prompting firm leaders to benchmark their current capabilities against what’s required to participate meaningfully in data centers, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and complex public works.

Bonding Capacity and Financial Resilience

Moving into larger and more complex projects—particularly data centers, life sciences, and healthcare—demands higher single-project limits ($50-$100 million) and aggregate bonding limits exceeding $200 million. Steel and aluminum face tariffs ranging from 25% to 50% due to ongoing trade policies, maintaining high costs for these critical materials and requiring stronger working capital reserves.

Practical steps for CFOs and owners in 2025:

1. Initiate early conversations with surety partners about 2026-2027 capacity
2. Clean up financial statements and manage debt ratios
3. Align banking relationships with growth plans
4. Model cash flow for long-lead specialized equipment and extended pay cycles

Risk considerations include:

• Avoiding over-concentration of backlog in a single owner or sector
• Building contingency into estimates for material selection volatility
• Establishing internal criteria for project size and risk profile
• Not overstretching bonding capacity in a single bet-the-company contract

Workforce Headcount and Productivity

The Ohio Valley region’s documented construction shortage of approximately 60,000 workers is the single most important rate-limiting factor on whether individual firms can grow at the pace the market will bear. The construction industry needs approximately 500,000 additional workers annually through 2026 due to chronic labor shortages nationwide.

Without a deliberate strategy to recruit, train, and retain craft professionals and front-line supervisors, attempts to scale revenue 20-40% over the next two years will result in margin erosion, safety incidents, and quality issues. The construction industry recorded 1,075 fatalities in the most recent annual data, marking the highest number since 2011. Safety cannot be compromised during rapid growth.

Firms should:

• Quantify their “capacity ceiling” by trade and supervision level
• Model how many additional foremen, superintendents, and project managers they need
• Calculate training slots required to support a 25-35% backlog increase

ABC Ohio Valley’s apprenticeship programs across nine trades, the TOOLS Program, the Ohio Valley Construction Education Foundation partnership, and Generation Z outreach provide practical mechanisms to expand workforce capacity. About 41% of the current construction workforce is expected to retire by 2031, making these pipelines essential.

Prequalification and Technology

Owners and construction managers for data center, advanced manufacturing, hospital, and institutional projects use rigorous prequalification screens that cover safety metrics, EMR, QA/QC processes, technology capabilities, and financial strength. Commercial construction projects must comply with national, state, and local regulations designed to ensure safety, accessibility, and structural integrity, which are more complex than residential standards due to higher occupancy loads and public use.

The International Building Code (IBC) and fire safety rules from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) set strict standards that all commercial projects must follow. Compliance with safety regulations is critical to prevent costly delays and ensure final inspections pass without issues.

Project management bench requirements:

• Experienced PMs, assistant PMs, project engineers, and field superintendents
• Capability for fast-track, highly coordinated jobs
• Strong scheduling, cost control, and change management skills

About 37% of construction companies use four or more disconnected apps on a single project, leading to data silos and communication gaps. Technology adoption—cloud-based project management, digital field reporting, BIM coordination, model-based quantity takeoff—is essential for meeting expectations of sophisticated owners and competing with larger Central Ohio firms.

Risk Management and Safety

Rapid growth magnifies every existing weakness in risk management: contract review, scope definition, subcontractor vetting, safety oversight, and claims handling. Extreme weather is responsible for delays in up to 60% of construction projects, requiring proactive strategies and contingency planning.

Risk management priorities:

• Standardize contract language and carefully review risk-shifting clauses
• Vet subcontractors thoroughly before signing
• Align insurance coverage with new project types and delivery models
• Document everything for compliance with stricter regulations

An exemplary safety record is a competitive asset for prequalification. A safety manager on staff and robust training programs differentiate merit shop firms. ABC Ohio Valley safety education helps members raise performance and documentation. Leaders should treat 2025 as the “year of tightening the playbook” before ramping revenue in 2026 and 2027.

Workforce as the Rate Limiter—and How ABC Ohio Valley Members Can Break Through

The 60,000-worker shortfall across the Ohio Valley’s construction ecosystem is the primary bottleneck determining which firms grow with the market and which walk away from work. Labor costs in construction are increasing by 4% to 20% due to shortages as companies compete to retain experienced crews. Tighter immigration enforcement has restricted the labor pool, affecting roughly one-third of construction firms and causing work stoppages in some regions.

The shortage is particularly acute in high-skill trades required by data centers, semiconductor-adjacent facilities, life sciences, and healthcare projects—electricians, plumbers and pipefitters, HVAC technicians, ironworkers, and low-voltage specialists.

Only about 7% of potential job seekers consider a career in construction, indicating persistent recruitment struggles. ABC Ohio Valley’s workforce infrastructure—apprenticeship programs in nine trades, the TOOLS Program, the Ohio Valley Construction Education Foundation partnership, and the Generation Z initiative—represents a regionally unique toolkit that member firms can plug into immediately.

Apprenticeship in Nine Trades: Building the Core Craft Pipeline

ABC Ohio Valley’s registered apprenticeship programs span nine key commercial trades, including electrical, carpentry, HVAC, plumbing, and sheet metal, which are heavily utilized in target sectors such as data centers and hospitals. The apprenticeship model supports merit shop philosophy by rewarding performance and competency.

What contractor leaders need to do in 2025:

• Commit to a specific number of apprentices by trade
• Coordinate with ABC Ohio Valley staff for enrollment and scheduling
• Align internal supervision capacity to mentor apprentices
• Plan for second- and third-year apprentices to be ready as lead workers during the 2026-2027 peak demand

The project management requirements for commercial construction projects are generally less intensive than those for industrial plants, meaning apprentices can reach productivity faster on many commercial sites.

TOOLS Program, Ohio Valley Construction Education Foundation, and Generation Z Initiative

The TOOLS Program provides a practical pathway for recruiting and equipping new entrants—particularly those from nontraditional backgrounds—with the basic skills and gear needed to step onto commercial construction sites safely and productively.

The Ohio Valley Construction Education Foundation partnership integrates curriculum, scholarships, and outreach to local schools and communities, creating a more predictable pipeline of young people entering commercial trades. During the development and planning phase of their workforce strategy, firms should map projected needs against foundation intake cycles.

The relaunched Generation Z initiative speaks to high school and early college audiences about earning potential and career paths in commercial construction, with a focus on merit shop opportunities across the region. Member firms should actively participate:

• Sending field leaders to speak at events
• Hosting site visits
• Providing internships
• Aligning HR efforts with ABC Ohio Valley’s outreach calendar

Competitive Realities: Going Head-to-Head with Large Central Ohio Operators

As Columbus-based firms grow contract volumes by 35% or more, they increasingly follow owners into Cincinnati, Dayton, Springfield, and Lima, intensifying competition on the Ohio Valley’s home turf. New York’s all-electric mandate starting in 2026 is forcing shifts in design and materials industry-wide, and stricter carbon emission limits and energy codes are lengthening approval timelines for commercial construction work everywhere.

These larger operators come with deeper balance sheets, national prequalification lists, and sophisticated technology platforms. This can be intimidating, but not insurmountable competition for merit shop contractors with local knowledge and lower overhead.

Project delivery models (design-build, CM-at-risk, integrated project delivery) used in industrial construction and advanced manufacturing projects favor teams that demonstrate both scale and track record. However, there’s room for regionally strong specialty subs and mid-size general contractors.

ABC Ohio Valley firm advantages:

• Local relationships with municipalities and inspectors
• Faster decision-making and lower overhead
• Lower mobility and lodging costs for crews
• High-touch service on complex renovations and interior packages

Member firms should develop explicit competitive strategies, choosing niches—critical power, complex interiors, envelope upgrades, self-performed concrete, wood framing for multifamily—where they consistently beat larger firms on value, responsiveness, and execution.

Partnering, Positioning, and Pricing Strategy

Selective partnering with larger Central Ohio operators or national contractors makes strategic sense when it builds credentials. Joint ventures or subcontractor roles on new facility types (data centers, life sciences) provide experience without bearing all risk. Most commercial construction projects are won or lost during the preconstruction phase, which includes managing bids, takeoffs, and estimates.

Positioning recommendations:

• Update marketing materials and case studies for target owners
• Emphasize successful projects along I-70 and I-75 corridors
• Highlight safety statistics and prequalification credentials
• Document technology capabilities (BIM, digital reporting)

The bidding process requires discipline. Avoid chasing volume with unsustainably low margins, especially when competing against large firms willing to accept thin fees for strategic footholds. Protect margins by knowing your true costs and space needs for growth. ABC Ohio Valley peer groups and benchmarking sessions help members compare competitive positioning and refine go-to-market strategies for 2026 and 2027.

Strategic Recommendations for 2026-2027 Growth Planning

The combination of 35% contract growth in Columbus, multi-year investment cycles in data centers and advanced manufacturing, and ongoing public infrastructure work supports a cautiously aggressive growth stance for well-prepared merit shop firms. Commercial construction refers to building, renovating, or expanding structures used for business and public services, and the business case for growth has rarely been stronger in the Ohio Valley.

Strategic moves to consider in 2025:

1. Right-size growth targets — Aim for 15-30% growth over two years, stress-tested through cash-flow modeling
2. Focus on specific sectors — Choose 2-3 building types where you can build depth
3. Build workforce capacity — Lock in apprenticeship slots and TOOLS Program participation now
4. Strengthen financials and bonding — Clean up balance sheets, align surety relationships
5. Upgrade project management and technology — Invest in cloud PM, BIM coordination
6. Tighten risk controls — Standardize contracts, vet subs, enforce safety protocols
7. Deepen owner and CM relationships — Audit prequalification status in Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Lima

Create a written 2026-2027 growth plan with numeric goals for backlog, revenue, margin, workforce size by trade, and required training slots through ABC Ohio Valley programs. The procurement phase involves ordering and purchasing materials, tools, and services, with lead times that vary significantly—factor this into market sizing and project scheduling.

Integrate insights from Construction Industry Outlook 2026 and Construction Workforce Shortage into strategic planning retreats, budgeting processes, and board-level conversations.

Firms that invest in capability during 2025 will be best positioned to ride the 2026-2027 wave of commercial construction demand across the Ohio Valley while protecting profitability and culture. The post-construction phase includes project closeout activities—cleaning up the construction site, returning equipment, and conducting post-project reviews—and firms that scale rapidly must systematize these processes to maintain their reputation.

The trajectory of the commercial construction industry in Ohio supports an aggressive growth play. The question is whether your operational and financial preconditions are in place to execute it.

FAQ

The following questions address practical concerns ABC Ohio Valley member leaders often raise when planning for aggressive growth in a hot commercial market. Answers reference ABC Ohio Valley resources where relevant; readers should consult the Construction Industry Outlook 2026 and the Construction Workforce Shortage for deeper analysis.

How aggressive should my firm’s growth target be for 2026-2027 given current Ohio trends?

Base growth targets on a combination of realistic workforce expansion capacity, bonding headroom, and proven execution track record. Many ABC Ohio Valley members might reasonably aim for 15-30% growth over two years rather than matching the 35% headline in Columbus. The construction phase is where all planning and coordination come together—if your project team and supervision capacity can’t scale proportionally, aggressive targets become dangerous.

Stress-test targets through cash-flow modeling and downside scenarios. Consider what happens if a major owner delays contract awards or if hazardous materials remediation extends timelines. ABC Ohio Valley’s economic briefings and the Construction Industry Outlook 2026 hub help validate demand assumptions with market sizing data.

Should smaller merit shop contractors chase data center and semiconductor-adjacent work or focus on other sectors?

Large mission-critical projects carry higher prequalification barriers, but smaller firms can participate by targeting specialty scopes, smaller supporting facilities, or second- and third-tier supplier projects along I-70 and I-75. Industrial structures and power plants supporting data centers need contractors for site preparation, utilities, and build-out work.

Very small firms may find more controllable, profitable growth in multifamily, healthcare interiors, and infrastructure-related commercial work—such as hospitality shopping centers, retail conversions, and municipal services buildings. Build credentials incrementally that later open doors to data center and advanced manufacturing primes.

How can my company compete for talent when everyone in the Ohio Valley is hiring from the same pool?

Firms cannot win the talent race on wages alone. Differentiate through culture, training, career progression, and safety. Leverage ABC Ohio Valley apprenticeship, TOOLS, and Generation Z programs as structured pipelines. Offer clear advancement plans, pay for credentials through ABC Ohio Valley courses, and involve younger workers in visible, high-profile commercial buildings and industrial facilities.

Retention matters as much as recruitment. The residential construction sector competes for the same workers, so emphasizing commercial-sector career paths and a variety of commercial project types helps attract talent seeking growth.

When will the current commercial construction upcycle in Ohio likely peak, and what indicators should I watch?

Exact timing is uncertain, but members should monitor leading indicators, including owner RFQ volume, lending conditions, vacancy rates in key property types, and public funding announcements at the state and county levels. The commercial sector tied to federal infrastructure has visibility through 2027, but private investment cycles can shift faster.

ABC Ohio Valley’s Construction Industry Outlook 2026 briefings track these signals for the region, giving members early warning if backlogs begin to soften or if certain segments start to decelerate. Watch for cooling in manufacturing, construction spending, or a pullback in data center announcements as potential indicators.

What is the best first step if my firm has not yet engaged with ABC Ohio Valley’s workforce and education programs?

Owners or HR leaders should schedule a planning conversation with ABC Ohio Valley staff to map projected workforce needs by trade and timeline, then enroll a pilot cohort into apprenticeship or TOOLS in the next intake cycle. Common types of commercial construction projects—restaurants, medical facilities, retail and grocery stores, shopping malls, accommodations like hotels, institutional buildings, and sports facilities—all require trained workers you can develop through these programs.

Treat this as a multi-year partnership rather than a one-time fix. Align internal supervisors and mentors with the Ohio Valley Construction Education Foundation and Generation Z outreach efforts to build a sustainable talent pipeline that supports your 2026-2027 growth and beyond.