Welcome to this week’s edition of TheJobWalk! IBM’s dropping $150B like it’s pocket change, an 80,000-acre data center is rewriting land use in Texas, and across the pond, Luton Town is getting a big-league stadium. Meanwhile, construction hiring stumbles.. unlike XYZ’s Atom, which is making blueprints look like sci-fi. It’s all going on this week folks, time to dive in!

Want more project updates?

👇Upgrade to Premium👇

PROJECTS

Quantum Leaps and Giant Receipts, IBM Goes All In

This week IBM has revealed plans to pour $150 billion over the next five years into US based technology. The investment includes over $30 billion will be allocated to R&D, focusing on mainframe and quantum computing technologies.

It will also focus on the expansion of U.S. manufacturing capabilities, particularly in Poughkeepsie, New York, where IBM produces mainframes that handle over 70% of global transaction value.

The investment is set to create thousands of high-skilled manufacturing and research jobs across the country over the next 5 years.

• Client: IBM

• General Contractors: TBD

• Award: Manufacturing

• Value: $150 Billion

• Location: United States

Amazon Mines for Cloud Gold with 'Bauxite I'

Recently announced, Rowan Digital Infrastructure will transform a 2,100-acre industrial site in Maryland into a hub of digital activity. Amazon Web Services (AWS) plans to construct four single-story buildings, covering nearly 777,000 square feet and delivering approximately 300 megawatts of computing capacity. Amazon expects to begin operations at "Bauxite I" in 2026.

• Client: Amazon Web Services (AWS)

• General Contractor: Rowan Digital Infrastructure

• Award: Data Center

• Value: TBA

• Location: Frederick County, Maryland

Grant's $400M Glow-Up, More Beds, Less Waiting

Messer Construction Co. is currently constructing the healthcare expansion on the Grant Medical Center, located in Columbus, Ohio.

Phase 1 of the project celebrated a major milestone back in March 2025, a 33,000 square-foot expansion, featuring 50 patient rooms.

Phase 2 of the project is underway and is expected to make way for a 7-story, 270,000-square-foot trauma and critical care tower.

Construction is expected to be completed by 2028.

• General Contractor: Messer Construction Co.

• Architects: CannonDesign, DesignGroup, Moody Nolan

• Client: OhioHealth

• Award: Hospital

• Value: $400 Million

• Location: Columbus, Ohio​

Open Origin’s 80,000-Acre Data Center

Recently announced, Open Origin is planning an 80,000-acre data center campus southeast of Marfa, Texas. The facility will run entirely on renewable energy, including solar and a potential green ammonia plant. This is part of the $500B Stargate Project, backed by OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle. The Marfa site is one of 20 nationwide and could create up to 1,100 jobs.

• Client: Open Origin

• General Contractor: TBD

• Award: Data Center

• Value: TBD

• Location: Presidio County, Texas

MEET ACE ELECTRIC

Bringing the spark to 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 45+ 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.

NEWS

Construction Jobs Hit a Speed Bump

The construction industry added 13,000 jobs in March 2025, but year-over-year growth slowed to just 1.8%- the weakest since 2021. After accounting for downward revisions to January and February, the industry averaged only 8,000 new jobs per month in Q1, signaling a cooling labor market.

Economists point to newly imposed tariffs as a major headwind. In early April, the states enacted sweeping tariffs, including a 25% duty on imported steel and aluminum, and a 10% blanket tariff on most other imports. These measures have driven up material costs and disrupted supply chains, leading developers to delay or cancel projects.

As input costs rise and uncertainty grows, the construction sector faces mounting pressure. Contractors are bracing for further slowdowns, with some already reporting project postponements.

Hard Hats Get Put on Hold

Many construction projects across the country are being delayed or canceled due to economic uncertainty. Developers are hesitant to move forward with plans because of unpredictable factors like changing tariffs, tax incentives, and loan approvals.

This hesitation is especially noticeable in the clean technology sector, where nearly half of the $30 billion in planned factory projects are now expected to face delays or be canceled

The uncertainty stems from shifting government policies that affect the cost and feasibility of construction projects. This trend of postponing projects has broader implications for the economy, including potential job losses and slowed innovation.

WORLD

Luton Town Football Club, United Kingdom

Luton Town Football Club has officially announced that construction will commence this summer on its new 25,000-capacity stadium at Power Court in central Luton.

The project marks a significant milestone in the club's history, aiming to provide a state-of-the-art venue for supporters and act as a catalyst for town-wide regeneration

The club's development arm, 2020 Developments, has entered a pre-construction services partnership with Limak International, a globally recognized construction firm also involved in the redevelopment of FC Barcelona's Spotify Camp Nou.

The new stadium is expected to host its first competitive game at the start of the 2028/29

TECH SPOTLIGHT

This Forklift Doesn’t Need a Driver

Construction sites may soon rely less on human labor thanks to the Autonomous Dynamic All-terrain Pallet Transporter (ADAPT)- a fully self-driving, off-road forklift built for rugged environments.

Developed by a team of robotics researchers, ADAPT uses AI-driven perception to move and lift materials on uneven terrain without a human operator. It's designed to solve a growing problem in construction: labor shortages and slow on-site logistics.

ADAPT is built on a Palfinger BM154 truck-mounted forklift and can carry loads up to 1,500 kg. It uses LiDAR, stereo cameras, and AI to detect pallets, estimate their position in 3D space, and plan safe, efficient routes across job sites.. even in bad weather.

XYZ Reality’s Atom, Making Blueprints Look 3D

XYZ Reality introduced a groundbreaking construction tool called the Atom. This device is a special helmet that lets builders see 3D models of buildings right on the construction site.

By wearing the Atom, workers can view detailed plans overlaid on the real-world structures they're building, helping them spot mistakes before they happen.

The Atom works seamlessly with Autodesk's BIM 360 software. This integration allows for real-time updates and communication between the construction site and the office. For example, if a worker notices an issue, they can immediately report it, and the information is shared instantly with the team back at the office.

QUICK FIRE ROUND

Your quiz questions for this week:

What kind of system is a forced air furnace part of?

A. Hydronic // B. Radiant // C. HVAC

Which of these is considered a low-voltage system?

A. 480V 3-phase // B. 120/240V split-phase // C. Fire Alarm Circuit

What is the most common residential HVAC duct material?

A. PVC // B. Sheet Metal // C. PEX

In construction design, R-value refers to:

A. Fire Resistance Rating // B. Thermal Resistance // C. Electrical Insulation

What does a 'chase' refer to in building construction?

A. Wall Cavity used to run utilities // B. Pipe Hanger // C. Concrete Footing

Check out the answers at the bottom.

WEEKLY FUNNY

REFLECTION

This week’s question to ask yourself..

How do I define happiness?

🚧Answers

Q1 C. HVAC // Q2 C. Fire Alarm Circuit // Q3 B. Sheet Metal // Q4 B. Thermal resistance // Q5 A. Wall cavity used to run utilities

How many did you get?

👷‍♂️Want to rep TheJobWalk Crew with our custom stickers?

We’re pumped to have you as part of our growing community.

Share TheJobWalk with your field crew, sales reps or even your boss👇

Made for the builders, thinkers, and doers shaping the industry.