Welcome to this week’s edition of TheJobWalk! What a busy week it is out there! We have Trump’s steel tariffs underway, Musk building a GPU-hungry supercomputer in Tennessee, and SpaceX turning Cape Canaveral into a Starship factory. Across the pond, Manchester United are planning to develop the UK’s biggest stadium. Let’s dive into this week’s biggest construction moves!

PROJECTS

Rivian’s $5 Billion EV Plant Back on Track

Back in January, Rivian announced that after a pause due to high costs, work is set to resume on their electric vehicle plant in Social Circle, Georgia. The DOE announced that it had closed a $6.57 billion loan to Rivian, which will support the construction of the 9 million-square-foot manufacturing facility. The project is expected to create 2,000 full-time jobs through construction and will produce about 400,000 vehicles per year when fully complete.

• Client: Rivian

• General Contractors: Clayco

• Award: Manufacturing

• Value: $5 Billion

• Location: Social Circle, Georgia

Cape Canaveral’s Newest Launch? SpaceX Incoming

Last week SpaceX announced plans to invest $1.8B to build new Starship Launchpads and processing facilities in Florida. They will be building a 380-foot tall, 815,000 square foot "Gigabay" facility and will assemble all future Starship rockets before moving them to the launchpads. Construction could begin as soon as April and be complete by August 2026, bringing an estimated 600 new full-time jobs in the Space Coast by 2030.

• Client: SpaceX

• General Contractors: TBD

• Award: Advanced Technology

• Value: $1.8 Billion

• Location: Cape Canaveral, Florida

University Health Palo Alto’s $550 Million Upgrade

University Health has invested $550 million to build the new Palo Alto Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. The five-story facility will expand access to critical healthcare services in the region. The hospital will feature an emergency room, labor and delivery suites, NICU, operating rooms, inpatient rooms, and an attached medical office building. Construction began in January 2024, with completion expected in 2027.

• Client: University Health

• General Contractor: Turner Construction Company & Byrne Construction Services

• Sector: Healthcare/Medical

• Value: $550 million

• Location: San Antonio, Texas

South Dallas Gets a Digital Giant, DataBank’s $2 Billion Investment

DataBank’s Red Oak Campus will bring 3.4M sqft and 480MW of capacity across eight two-story data centers. This is part of a $2B investment and is set to transform the region’s digital landscape. Construction began in 2024, with completion expected in phases over the next few years. This project further cements the area as one the nation’s top data center hubs.

• Owner: DataBank

• General Contractor: TBD

• Architects: JHET Architects

• Sector: Data Centers

• Value: $2 Billion

• Location: Red Oak, Texas

Elon’s "Colossus" Data Center Empire Expands

Recently announced, Elon Musk has invested over $80 million in purchasing 1 million square feet of land in Memphis, Tennessee. The original data center "Colossus" was built in 2024, but with new announcements, Musk is already investing in building the second data center.

xAI made plans to expand Colossus's capacity to at least 1 million GPUs from its current 100,000 GPUs, aiming to enhance the capabilities of its AI chatbot, Grok.

• Client: xAI

• General Contractors: TBD

• Award: Mission Critical

• Value: $180million (Land)

• Location: Memphis, Tennessee

MEET DD CONSTRUCTION

Bringing the energy this week is DD Construction, a specialist metal building contractor based out of Centennial, Colorado.

Led by Justin Beal (Founder & President), DD has been raising steel since 2017, working on projects across aviation, warehouses, data centers and more!

Their team brings over 50 years of combined experience, offering clients exceptional customer service and high-quality metal building systems. Ranked #10 for Metal Building Constructors by Tonnage, DD is fully accredited, licensed, and insured.

Whether it’s a data center or a warehouse, DD Construction isn’t just raising the roof- they’re raising industry standards.

NEWS

Costs & Labor Shortages Battle Government Projects

Over the course of the year, Federal & State Governments have significantly increased investments in infrastructure projects, propelled by funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Major initiatives include highway expansions, bridge replacements, and public transit improvements, with billions allocated for rail and airport upgrades. For instance, the Gateway Program in the Northeast Corridor, aimed at enhancing rail connectivity between New York and New Jersey, has secured substantial funding and commenced initial construction phases.

However, the construction industry is grappling with rising material costs and labor shortages, which are impeding project timelines and budgets. Labor shortages further impact these challenges with the scarcity of skilled workers leading to increased competition and project delays.

Trump’s Tariffs Take Center Stage

President Trump's 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports have significantly impacted the construction industry. These tariffs, aimed at protecting domestic metal producers, have led to increased costs for essential building materials. As a result, construction projects nationwide are experiencing higher expenses and delays.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports that these tariffs have added billions to the cost of imported construction materials, raising the price of an average new home by approximately $7,500 to $10,000.

As the industry navigates these challenges, stakeholders are advocating for policy revisions, trying to mitigate the tariffs' adverse effects and stabilize the market.

WORLD

Manchester United FC Goes Big, United Kingdom

Manchester United Football Club has unveiled plans for a new 100,000-seat stadium, aiming to be the UK's largest football venue. Estimated at £2 billion, the project is set to be completed by the 2030–31 season. Designed by Foster + Partners, the stadium will feature a distinctive "vast umbrella" canopy and three towering masts, with the tallest reaching 200 meters.

The development is expected to boost the UK economy by £7.3 billion and create over 90,000 jobs, with government support for regenerating the Trafford Park area. The project aims to preserve Old Trafford's essence while providing a state-of-the-art facility, enhancing the fan experience and transforming the surrounding community.

TECH SPOTLIGHT

Geothermal Powers the Future of Skyscrapers

Geothermal energy is becoming an essential part of sustainable building design, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprints. This renewable energy source leverages the Earth's stable underground temperatures for heating and cooling, significantly cutting reliance on fossil fuels.

One of the most notable projects in 2025 is The Riverie in Brooklyn, New York. Set to become the city’s largest all-geothermal-powered residential complex, The Riverie will utilize a vertical closed-loop geoexchange system for heating and cooling.

This system circulates fluid through underground pipes, transferring heat to and from the building to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures year-round. The development marks a major milestone in sustainable urban housing.

How Simulations Are Shaping Construction

Multiphysics simulation is changing the way we build, making construction safer, faster, and more efficient in 2025. These advanced computer models combine physics, engineering, and material science to test structures before they are built.

With new developments in artificial intelligence and cloud computing, engineers can now predict how buildings will handle extreme weather, earthquakes, and daily wear and tear.

The global multiphysics simulation market is expected to grow by over 14% annually, reaching $7.2 billion by 2028 (MarketsandMarkets, 2024). Major construction firms like Skanska and Bechtel are adopting these tools to optimize skyscraper foundations, bridges, and data centers.

QUICK FIRE ROUND

Your quiz questions for this week:

What are “Furring strips” used for?

A. Increase ventilation in attics // B. Provide a level surface for finish materials // C. Reinforce roof trusses

“Efflorescence” on masonry surfaces is:

A. White, powdery deposit of salts // B. Mold growth // C. High-gloss paint

A “cantilever” in construction is what?

A. Roofing underlayment // B. Type of foundation system // C. A beam supported at one end only

An “Air barrier” in construction is meant to do what?

A. Insulate from sound // B. Control airflow and reduce energy loss // C. Decorate ceilings

What are “Acoustical ceiling tiles” used for?

A. Absorb sound and reduce noise // B. Reflect light // C. Reinforce roof decking

Check out the answers at the bottom.

WEEKLY FUNNY

THIS WEEK’S HOT JOBS

1. Electrical Project Manager – Ohio – Data Centers

2. Electrical Project Manager – Oklahoma – Data Centers

3. Electrical Project Director – Traveling – Data Centers

4. Electrical Project Executive – Traveling – Data Centers

5. Project Manager – Texas – Healthcare

6. Project Manager – Kansas – Manufacturing

7. Estimator – North Carolina – Commercial

8. Scheduler – Georgia – Commercial

9. Electrical Superintendent – Georgia – Light Industrial

10. Electrical Superintendent – Georgia – Commercial

REFLECTION

This week’s question to ask yourself..

How can I use my talents to serve others?

🚧Answers

Q1 B. Provide a level surface for finish materials // Q2 A. White, powdery deposit of salts // Q3 C. A beam supported at one end only // Q4 B. Control airflow and reduce energy loss // Q5 A. Absorb sound and reduce noise

How many did you get?

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