TheJobWalk E.32

Welcome to this week’s edition of TheJobWalk! CBRE flags a tight 2.1% global data center availability crunch, while Texas Instruments rolls out a massive $60B semiconductor expansion. Saudi Arabia pushes boundaries with the $500B desert megacity, The Line, and the Titans’ bold new $2.1B stadium makes moves, bigger, louder, and redefining construction. Let’s dive in!

NEWS
CBRE Reports 2.1% Drop in Data Center Availability Worldwide

A new report from CBRE shows that in Q1 2025, global data center vacancy dropped by 2.1%, leaving only 6.6% of space available. In North America alone, providers added 1,668 megawatts (MW) of new capacity, double the amount from the year before. Europe added 300 MW, and Latin America added almost 100 MW.

Prices are also going up. The average global cost for data center space reached $217.30 per kilowatt per month. In Northern Virginia, prices rose by 17.6%. Chicago saw a 17.2% increase, and Amsterdam went up by 18%.

Because top cities are running low on power, companies are moving to new places like Richmond, Santiago, and Mumbai. At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how data centers are built. AI needs more power and cooling, so operators are adding liquid cooling and making special areas just for AI.

This shows one thing: demand for data centers is rising fast, driven by the cloud, hyperscale users, and AI.

TheJobWalk’s got eyes on this too...

📰 Trump Spending Shift Threatens Billions in U.S. Industry Aid(Investors)
📰 Hyundai Aligns Two Divisions for Streamlined Growth(RecyclingToday)
📰 Coordination Gaps Delay Next-Generation Nuclear Projects(CNBC)

PROJECTS
Build of The Week

TI’s $60B Construction Spree, Building Chips Like It’s a Texas Rodeo

Texas Instruments has launched a major $60 billion investment to build seven new 300 mm semiconductor fabs across three US sites in Sherman and Richardson, Texas, and Lehi, Utah. The largest allocation is going to Sherman, with four fabs including two already underway (SM1 & SM2), and plans for two more (SM3 & SM4). In Utah they are adding a second fab (LFAB2) next to its existing plant. These fabs will produce foundational analog and embedded chips used by Apple, Ford, Medtronic, NVIDIA, SpaceX, and more. They’re expected to create over 60,000 US jobs.

• Client/Developer: Texas Instruments

• General Contractors: TBD

• Sector: Semiconductor/Advanced Manufacturing

• Investment Value: $60 Billion

• Locations: Sherman & Richardson Texas, Lehi Utah

Movement in the field:

🏈Titans’ New $2.1B Home- Bigger, Louder, and Under Construction: Construction broke ground last year in February on the new state-of-the-art stadium located at the East Bank of the Cumberland River. The stadium will have a full capacity of 60,000 along with a fully enclosed dome and will be used to host NFL, NCAA, community events, and premier entertainment like Super Bowls, Final Fours and Wrestle Manias. Construction is expected to be completed in Spring 2027 and will create 1,000–1,500 permanent jobs within the facility.

Key Details: Client: Tennessee Titans, General Contractors: Turner Construction Company & AECOM Hunt & ICF Builders Inc. & Polk & Associates Construction, Inc., Design: MANICA Architecture, Award: Stadium, Value: $2.1 Billion, Location: Nashville, Tennessee

🔬Balfour Beatty US Underway on $75M Science Center: Balfour Beatty US is currently underway constructing a huge new $75 million Science Center in Loudoun, Virginia. This 70,000+ square-foot development will feature a guest-centered approach, with flexible indoor/outdoor spaces, classrooms, and gathering areas. This facility is expected to attract over 300,000 visitors annually and will serve as a community inspiration hub. Construction started in March 2025, with a goal to top out before the end of the year and open in 2027.

Key Details: Client: Children's Science Center, General Contractors: Balfour Beatty US, Award: Life-Science, Value: $75 Million, Location: Loudoun County, Virginia

🏫$114M Austin ISD High School Renovations: Adolfson & Peterson Construction has broken ground on two major high school renovation projects in Austin, Texas, totaling $114 million in investment across 100,000 sqft of upgraded facilities. At McCallum High School, a new three-story, 54,000 sqft Science, Career & Technology wing will be built. At Anderson High School, the $47 million renovation includes a new 43,350 sqft athletic complex, consisting of a 1,800-seat competition gym.

Key Details: Client: Austin Independent School District, General Contractor: Adolfson & Peterson Construction, Architecture: PBK, Sector: K-12 Education Facilities Value: $114 Million, Status: Construction started June 2025, Completion: Scheduled for January 2027

MEET LEWIS MICHAEL CONSULTANTS

Lewis Michael Consultants is a specialist recruitment firm focused solely on the U.S construction industry, operating from East to West Coast. 

Recent placements include General Superintendents, MEP Project Managers, and Electrical Project Managers, working on renowned projects with Google, Samsung & Tesla.

Whether it's a large-scale infrastructure project or a small development, Lewis Michael Consultants has the network to support recruitment needs across the spectrum.

WORLD
Saudi Arabia's $500B Desert Megacity, The Line

Neom’s The Line is a planned city in Saudi Arabia. It will be 170 km long, 200 m wide, and 500 m tall- all inside a single mirror‑walled building.

Up to 9 million people will live there when it’s done. The city will have no cars or roads, relying on underground high‑speed trains that will carry people end‑to‑end in 20 minutes.

Everything will be powered by 100 % renewable energy, with all homes, offices, schools, and parks placed within a five‑minute walk. Neom says it will protect 95 % of the surrounding land from development.

Critics worry it's using huge amounts of steel and glass, which might emit around 1.8 Gt CO₂ just from construction, and that it could harm nature or feel isolated.

The first 5 km section is planned to be done by 2030 and the full city by 2045.

TECH SPOTLIGHT
Bild Launches with $3.1M to Revolutionize Construction

AI construction startup Bild launched in February 2025 and raised $3.1 million in a seed round led by Khosla Ventures, with support from Mission Street Capital and others.

The company was started by Roop Pal, a former Waymo engineer from Columbia University, and Puneet Sukhija, a builder since age 16. They met at a Hack for Social Impact event and soon joined Y Combinator.

Bild uses AI to read blueprints and count how much material a building will need. This job is usually done by hand and can be slow or full of mistakes. They now work mainly with suppliers for apartments, framing, flooring, and doors. Customers pay monthly to use the tool.

By saving time and reducing errors before construction starts, Bild hopes to lower building costs and eventually help reduce rent prices in cities where rent is based on cost.

QUICK FIRE ROUND
Your quiz questions for this week:

Which professional draws building plans?

A. Architect // B. Inspector // C. Plumber

Which trade installs copper piping for water?

A. Electrician // B. Plumber // C. Roofer

Which part of a building is typically poured using concrete?

A. Carpet // B. Framing // C. Foundation

Which machine is used to dig trenches?

A. Crane // B. Excavator // C. Scissor Lift

Which trade installs breakers and panels?

A. HVAC Tech // B. Electrician // C. Mason

Check out the answers at the bottom.

WEEKLY FUNNY
just breatheeeee

REFLECTION
This week’s question to ask yourself✌️

What is one thing I keep avoiding, and why?

ANSWERS

Q1 A. Architect // Q2 B. Plumber // Q3 C. Foundation // Q4 B. Excavator // Q5 B. Electrician

How many did you get?