The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), issued by Dodge Construction Network (DCN), inched down 0.4% in August to 282.0 from a downwardly revised July reading of 283.0. Over the month, commercial planning declined 3% and institutional planning grew 4.9%. Year-over-year, the DMI was up 4.2% when compared to August 2025.
The DMI is based on the three-month moving value of nonresidential building projects going into planning. It is shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year to 18 months.
“Strength in planning momentum remained relatively broad-based in August,” says Sarah Martin, DCN’s director of economic research. “Weaker data center planning predominantly drove the flatter trend, while most other sectors saw an acceleration in planning momentum.”
DCN reports that commercial planning activity slowed for data centers, retail stores and warehouses throughout August, while office buildings and hotels picked up steam. In the institutional sector, education, recreational and public buildings improved, while healthcare activity pulled back after four months of planning growth. The commercial portion of the index was up 2.3%, and the institutional portion was up 7.8% over the same period.
Thirty-one projects valued at $100 million or more entered planning throughout August. The largest commercial projects included two EdgeConneX Data Centers in Bastrop, Texas, each valued at $462 million, the $378 million Bitdeer Data Center in Shalersville Township, Ohio, and a $358 million Data Center in Secaucus, New Jersey. The largest institutional projects to enter planning included the $350 million Colosseum Sports Resort in Stafford, Virginia, the $350 million Commonwealth Courts Building in Richmond, Virginia, and the $350 million Holistic Health and Fitness building in Newport News, Virginia.