We recently asked our members: Which sector is driving the most growth for your organization?
The responses paint a clear and compelling picture — growth today is being powered by infrastructure, utilities, and technology. These sectors are not only shaping the built environment but also defining where opportunity is strongest across the industry.
Transportation Leads the Way
Transportation stands out as the dominant growth driver, representing nearly 40% of all responses. Organizations are deeply engaged across a wide range of transportation-related work, including:
- Aviation: From general aviation to specialized runway projects
- Public Transit: Light and heavy rail, bus systems, and commuter networks
- Infrastructure: Roads, highways, bridges, tunnels, and complex P3 projects
Supporting this work is a mix of public agencies and private firms delivering:
- Engineering, design, and construction oversight
- Contract administration and inspection services
- Large-scale capital program and project management
- Workforce development through academic partnerships
Together, these efforts highlight a strong ecosystem supporting major transportation infrastructure across North America.
Utilities and Resource Management Remain Critical
The Water/Wastewater sector emerged as the second strongest growth area, underscoring ongoing demand for essential public utilities.
Key themes include:
- Government involvement, including work tied to the U.S. Department of Energy
- Innovation, particularly at the intersection of artificial intelligence and power infrastructure
These responses point to a growing need for resilient, modernized utility systems.
Data Centers and Technology Infrastructure on the Rise
As digital demand accelerates, Data Centers and technology infrastructure have become a major growth pillar.
Organizations reported focus on:
- Global expansion, driving related investments in energy and infrastructure
- Specialized construction, including data centers and defense-related projects
- Strategic investment in logistics and digital infrastructure
This reflects the increasing importance of data storage, connectivity, and digital capacity in today’s economy.
Additional Growth Across Traditional Sectors
While infrastructure and technology lead, growth is also being supported by:
- Education
- Commercial development
- Energy/Utilities
- Healthcare
These sectors continue to contribute, though at a smaller scale compared to the top drivers.
The Big Picture
The results point to a clear trend: large-scale public infrastructure and digital systems are outpacing more traditional real estate and service-based sectors.
Organizations focused on engineering, utility systems, and digital connectivity are best positioned to capitalize on current growth opportunities.
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Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey. Your insights shed light on the direction of our industry and highlight where the greatest opportunities are emerging.