Welcome to this week’s edition of TheJobWalk! The construction world is firing on all cylinders, QTS is dropping $750M on data centers, the Buffalo Bills are going full beast mode and Apple’s bulking up its data center campus in North Carolina (Siri needs more room, apparently). A huge shoutout to everyone who completed the feedback this week, you crushed it! Let’s dive in!

PROJECTS

EdgeCore Breaks Ground in Ashburn

Just announced, EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure has broken ground on their new Data Center facility in Ashburn, Virginia. The new campus will consist of two facilities, titled AS01 and AS02. It has been said the site will span 608,000 sqft, totalling 114MW. Construction is expected to be completed in 2026.

• Client: EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure

• General Contractor: TBD

• Sector: Data Center

• Value: TBD

• Location: Ashburn, Virginia

Iowa Scores a $750M Data Center, QTS Builds Big

Recently made public, the Cedar Rapids City Council has approved a development agreement with QTS Data Centers for a $750 million data center campus. The project is expected to span 560 acres and will be based at the Big Cedar Industrial Center, located in Cedar Rapids. The development will occur in at least two phases, the start date has not yet been announced.

• General Contractor: TBD

• Client: QTS Data Centers

• Award: Data Center

• Value: $750 Million

• Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa​

Buffalo’s New Fortress Reaches Full Height

The construction of the New Highmark Stadium, the future home of the Buffalo Bills, has reached a significant milestone. The final structural steel beam was placed on April 4, 2025, this "topping out" ceremony marks the halfway point. The new stadium will have 60,000 seats and is predicted to be complete in late 2026.

• General Contractor: Gilbane Building Company, Turner Construction Company

• Client: Buffalo Bills

• Award: Stadium

• Value: $2.1 Billion

• Location: Orchard Park, New York

Apple Expands Data Center, Even Siri Needs More Space

Apple is set to expand its data center campus in Maiden, Catawba County, North Carolina, with a significant investment of $175 million. The expansion will add a 237,600 sqft data center on land the company already owns. ​This development builds upon Apple's existing 1m sqft campus, which has been operational since 2009. The campus operates entirely on renewable energy, using biogas fuel cells, two 20MW solar arrays, and direct clean-energy purchases. ​

• General Contractors: TBD

• Client: Apple Inc.

• Award: Data Center

• Value: $175 Million

• Location: Maiden, Catawba County, North Carolina

New Data Center Coming to DFW, Y’all Ready?

CyrusOne broke ground on its newest data center development, a multi-building campus in Fort Worth, Texas - DFW7. The initial phase will deliver 70 megawatts of IT capacity, with room to expand with the growing demand for cloud computing. This project adds to CyrusOne’s $2.4 billion investment footprint in Texas and reinforces DFWs status as the second-largest data center market in the U.S. Completion is expected by February 2026.

• Client: CyrusOne

• General Contractor: Clune Construction Company

• Award: Data Center

• Value: TBC

• Location: Fort Worth, Texas

Houston Methodist Wraps Up $650M Project

McCarthy broke ground on the $650 million medical campus in February 2022, with the project being completed by the end of March 2025. The 570,000 sqft, seven-story hospital includes 100 beds, nine operating rooms, nine imaging units, an ER, critical care, and a birthing center. The development also includes a pair of six-story medical office towers, adding up to 320,000 sqft of space.

• Owner: Houston Methodist

• General Contractor: McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

• Design Team: Page

• Sector: Healthcare

• Value: $650 Million

• Location: Houston, Texas

MEET ACE ELECTRIC

Lighting up this week’s edition is Ace Electric, a specialist electrical contractor based out of Valdosta, Georgia, operating across Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee & Ohio.

​Ace is a family-owned and operated electrical contractor with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1975. Fast forward to today, they are ranked the No.1 Speciality Contractor in the Southeast.

With a 50+ year track record across commercial, industrial, and mission-critical markets, Ace isn’t just building systems, they’re building trust. With a team of over 1,200 employees, Ace continues to strive for excellence.

Their vision? To be the preferred electrical contractor and employer of choice in every community they serve. 2025 is a monumental year for Ace Electric celebrating their 50th anniversary.

NEWS

Hensel Phelps Levels Up Leadership

At the start of the year, Hensel Phelps made key leadership changes to support its continued growth across multiple regions. Derek Hoffine was promoted to Executive Vice President, marking over two decades with the company since he joined in 2002.

In his new role, he’ll lead operations across the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountain, and Southcentral regions, as well as oversee Hensel Phelps Water and Diverge, the firm’s tech and innovation arm.

The leadership update didn’t stop there. Charlie Robben was also promoted to Regional Vice President for the Rocky Mountain Region, signaling a strong internal pipeline of leadership talent.

These moves reflect Hensel Phelps’ commitment to expanding its national footprint while maintaining high standards in construction, sustainability, and innovation.

Balfour Beatty Flags Tariffs

Balfour Beatty, a major player in the construction industry, has expressed concerns about the impact of tariffs on its operations. Tariffs can increase the cost of imported materials, leading to higher overall project expenses.

In 2024, Balfour Beatty reported a 26% growth in its U.S order book, highlighting the importance of the American market for the company. However, the imposition of tariffs on construction materials imported into the U.S could erode profit margins and make projects less financially viable.

For instance, increased costs of steel and aluminum due to tariffs have previously affected construction budgets industry-wide. To mitigate these challenges, Balfour Beatty is exploring strategies such as sourcing materials locally and investing in alternative construction methods.

WORLD

Zayed National Museum, Abu Dhabi

The Zayed National Museum, designed by Foster + Partners, is approaching its final stages on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. This architectural marvel serves as a tribute to the UAE's founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and will showcase the nation's rich history and cultural heritage.

The museum's distinctive design features five steel towers inspired by falcon wings, symbolizing Sheikh Zayed's passion for falconry. These towers function as solar thermal chimneys, promoting natural ventilation within the building.

The galleries are housed within a landscaped mound, reflecting the Emirates' topography, and are set to offer immersive experiences highlighting the UAE's transformation. Recent reports indicate that construction is progressing steadily, with the museum expected to open its doors to the public by the end of 2025.

TECH SPOTLIGHT

Making Construction Smarter, One Click at a Time With Stratus

Stratus is a cloud-based software platform that is transforming the construction industry by streamlining workflows for Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) contractors.

By integrating seamlessly with design tools like Revit and AutoCAD, Stratus enables teams to move directly from Building Information Modeling (BIM) to fabrication and installation, reducing errors and enhancing efficiency

The platform offers features such as customizable work packages, real-time collaboration, and predictive productivity insights. By digitizing documentation and automating fabrication processes, this leads to more accurate project tracking and resource allocation.

Autodesk Brings Buildings to Life

Autodesk, a company known for its design software, is helping buildings come to life in a new way.. digitally. Their platform, called Autodesk Tandem, turns building plans into a digital twin: a real-time, online version of a building.

This digital twin isn't just a 3D model, it’s full of data about the building’s systems, materials, and operations. Building owners can use it to manage everything from lighting to air systems more easily.

According to Autodesk, digital twins can reduce building operation costs by up to 30% when used effectively. They also help plan repairs and upgrades, because owners can see how systems are performing without tearing into walls.

QUICK FIRE ROUND

Your quiz questions for this week:

Which type of drawing provides a top-down view of a structure?

A. Section drawing // B. Plan view // C. Elevation

Which wire color typically indicates a ground in U.S. residential wiring?

A. Red // B. Green or bare copper // C. White

What is the purpose of a circuit breaker?

A. Reduce voltage // B. Store electrical energy // C. Interrupt power during overload

What type of valve is used to prevent backflow in plumbing systems?

A. Ball valve // B. Gate valve // C. Check valve

What is typically used to seal gaps around windows and doors?

A. Caulk // B. Mortar // C. Grout

Check out the answers at the bottom.

WEEKLY FUNNY

THIS WEEK’S HOT JOBS

1. Electrical Project Manager – Virginia – Commercial

2. Electrical Project Manager – Virginia – Data Centers

3. Scheduler – Georgia – Commercial

4. Electrical Superintendent – Georgia – Data Centers

5. Electrical Superintendent – North Carolina – Commercial

6. Project Manager – Iowa – Data Centers

7. Project Manager – Arizona – Data Centers

8. MEP Superintendent – Iowa – Data Centers

9. MEP Project Manager – Arizona – Mission Critical

10. Electrical Superintendent – Ohio – Data Centers

REFLECTION

This week’s question to ask yourself..

What does a successful career mean to me?

🚧Answers

Q1 B. Plan view // Q2 B. Green or bare copper // Q3 C. Interrupt power during overload // Q4 C. Check valve // Q5 A. Caulk

How many did you get?

LET US KNOW👇

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