In our latest roundup, REITs ramp up development, U.S. water infrastructure funding plateaus, Giant’s mixed-use development raises questions, and more!
U.S. Department of Energy Pursues Data Centers on Federal Lands
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On April 7, the Office of Policy for U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from industry professionals, grid operators, local communities, Tribal governments, and other stakeholders regarding the development and operation of AI infrastructure—including data centers—on DOE-owned or managed lands. This initiative aligns with the January 2025 Executive Order, Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence, which underscores AI as a national and economic security priority. DOE is hoping the RFI provides information that allows it to better understand site interest, strategic data center design approaches, potential power needs, financial and contractual considerations related to leasing DOE-owned or managed lands, and the potential benefits and challenges associated with hosting AI infrastructure on DOE land.
Real Estate & Construction News Roundup (4/2/25) – U.S. Banking’s CRE Exposure, Increased Insurance Challenges and an Embrace of AI by Construction Firms
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In our latest roundup, the Tampa Bay Rays pull out of a stadium deal, the National Association of Realtors examines another policy change, energy efficiency measures continue to lower operating expenses, and more!
Making the Opportunity Zones Program Great at Last
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The opportunity zone tax program was introduced during President Donald Trump’s first term as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Its main goal was to encourage investments in economically distressed areas by offering specific tax benefits. By boosting local development, increasing tax revenue and creating jobs, the opportunity zone program quickly became a focal point for real estate and community development, although it also faced criticism.
Real Estate & Construction News Roundup (3/19/25) – Data Center REITs, AI-Based Tools and CHIPS on the Chopping Block
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In our latest roundup, Wells Fargo sues JPMorgan Chase, mortgage rates drop, and the life science RE market falters, and more!
Beyond the Executive Orders: Legislative Proposals to Strengthen the U.S. Critical Minerals Supply Chain
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Critical minerals are the backbone of modern technologies and national security, powering everything from advanced semiconductors and electric vehicle batteries to missile guidance systems and renewable energy infrastructure. As the global economy transitions to more diverse energy technologies, the demand for these essential materials has surged. Despite their vast importance and usefulness, the United States remains heavily dependent on foreign sources—particularly China—that dominate the global supply chain for critical minerals. This reliance threatens supply chain stability, leaving key American industries vulnerable to disruptions, price manipulations and political leverage.
Data Centers: A Field Guide
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By one count, worldwide there were some 11,800 data centers in early 2024. Within that census are facilities so small that they fit in office building closets, while others are among the largest manmade structures on the planet. How are we to make sense of this diverse population?
Data centers house servers, storage devices and network devices to store, process and disseminate large quantities of data of organizations and their customers and supply chains. The size and complexity of these facilities vary with their functions in the business ecosystem. Much like the well-known depictions of the evolution of horses from tiny brush creatures to mighty stallions, the overall category cries out to be broken down along multiple dimensions.
This post provides a naturalist’s field guide to data center types and features.
Real Estate & Construction News Roundup (2/26/25) – Uncertainty for Renters, a Record-High Hotel Project Pipeline and Hybrid Hopes for Office Leasing
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In our latest roundup, hybrid work creates hope for the office sector, Texas lawmakers ease office-to-residential conversations, service-based tenants are expected to lease more retail space, and more!
Apple’s $500B U.S. Manufacturing Push and New AI Server Facility in Houston: What It Means for Data Centers
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As we covered previously, President Trump has made clear that the U.S. is focused on increasing investments into building, scaling and speeding the development of AI infrastructure and data centers in the U.S., and Big Tech is responding in kind.
Real Estate & Construction News Roundup (2/19/25) – An Embrace of AI, A Squeeze on Construction and a Jump in Mortgage Refinance Demand
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In our latest roundup, tech giants invest in new data centers, senators introduce bill aimed at price-setting algorithms, DoD stops PLA requirements, and more!