The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), which tracks the value of non-residential building construction in the planning stage, reached 280.4 in July, a 20.8% increase since June. In the first seven months of the year, the index is 27% higher than the same time period last year.

“After months of wait-and-see due to tariff uncertainty, owners and developers have begun to move forward with projects and assumed higher costs for them,” Sarah Martin, associate director of forecasting at Dodge Construction Network, said in a statement.  “As economic and fiscal uncertainty remains prevalent, volatility in planning activity will remain elevated.”

In the commercial sector, the DMI grew 14.2% since June, with planning for data centers and warehouses seeing the largest increase. Institutional planning increased 35.1%, spurred by growth in the education, healthcare and public construction sectors. Overall, 47 projects estimated at more than $100 million reached the planning stage in July, according to Dodge data.

“Planning data skyrocketed in the month of July on the back of several large projects entering the planning queue for data centers, research and development labs, hospitals and service stations,” said Martin. “Combined with more organic momentum in planning for hotels, warehouses and recreational projects, cumulative activity drove record highs in the DMI.”