U.S. Industrial Construction Activity Rises 9% in March 2026, Tracked 419 New Planned Projects Across North America

Industrial SalesLeads released its March 2026 planned capital project spending report for the General Industrial sector, tracking North American capital project activity across new facility construction, expansions, and equipment modernization projects. This month's research confirms 419 planned industrial projects across the General Industrial sector, led by 199 renovations and equipment upgrades, 140 new construction starts, and 108 expansions, representing a 9% increase in planned industrial project activity from the previous month.

The following are selected highlights on new industrial construction news and project opportunities throughout North America.

Planned Industrial Construction - By Project Type:

            Manufacturing Facilities - 150 New Projects

            Processing Facilities - 96 New Projects

            Distribution and Industrial Warehouse - 179 New Projects

            Power/Energy/Oil and Gas - 7 New Projects

            Laboratory Facilities - 11 New Projects

            Mine - 1 New Project

            Terminal - 0 New Projects

            Pipeline - 0 New Projects

Planned Industrial Construction - By Scope/Activity

            New Construction - 140 New Projects

            Expansion - 108 New Projects

            Renovations/Equipment Upgrades - 199 New Projects

            Plant Closing - 24 New Projects

Top Industrial Equipment Categories in Demand

95%–96% of the identified Construction projects are searching for Compressed Air Systems, Lighting, and HVAC Equipment.

90% of the identified Construction projects are searching for Mechanical Construction, and Fire Protection Equipment.

70%–82% of the identified Construction projects are searching for Material Handling/Storage Equipment, Lift Trucks, Loading Dock Equipment, and Conveyors.

62% of the identified Construction projects are searching for Cranes and Hoists.

Planned Industrial Construction - By Location (Top 10 States)

            Texas  - 32

            New York - 26

            Ohio - 25

            California - 23

            Indiana - 23

            Wisconsin - 18

            Michigan - 16

            North Carolina - 16

            Pennsylvania - 15

            South Carolina - 15

Largest Planned Industrial Construction Project

During the month of March, our research team identified 47 new General Industrial facility construction projects with an estimated value of $100 million or more. 

The largest project is owned by SB Energy, who is planning to invest $33 billion for the construction of a 9 GW natural gas-fired power plant in PORTSMOUTH, OH. They are currently seeking approval for the project.

Top 10 Tracked Industrial Construction Projects

PENNSYLVANIA:

Renewable energy company is considering investing $17 billion for the construction of a 4 GW natural gas-fired power plant and is currently seeking a site in the GREENE COUNTY, PA area. Watch SalesLeads for updates.

TEXAS:

Energy company is planning to invest $3.5 billion for the construction of a processing facility in BROWNSVILLE, TX. They are currently seeking approval for the project. Completion is slated for 2029.

LOUISIANA:

Chemical company is planning to invest $3.4 billion for the expansion and equipment upgrades on their processing facility in PLAQUEMINE, LA. They are currently seeking approval for the project. Construction will occur in multiple phases, with completion of phase 1 slated for 2030.

TEXAS:

Defense contractor is planning to invest $3.2 billion for the construction of a manufacturing facility in BROWNSVILLE, TX. They are currently seeking approval for the project.

ARKANSAS:

Electric utility service provider is planning to invest $2.6 billion for the construction of a 1,500 MW natural gas-fired power plant in NEWARK, AR. They are currently seeking approval for the project.

GEORGIA:

Pharmaceutical company is planning to invest $2 billion for the construction of a 460,000 sf processing and office campus in DACULA, GA. The project is in the early design phase. Watch Industrial SalesLeads for updates.

LOUISIANA:

Renewable fuel company is planning to invest $1.4 billion for the construction of a processing facility in ST. CHARLES, LA. They are currently seeking approval for the project. Construction is expected to start in late 2027, with completion slated for late 2029.

MASSACHUSETTS:

Consumer products mfr. is planning to invest $1 billion for the construction of a manufacturing, research, and office facility at 232 A St. in BOSTON, MA. They are currently seeking approval for the project.

TENNESSEE:

Battery component mfr. is considering investing $1 billion for the construction of a manufacturing facility on West 19th Street in CHATTANOOGA, TN. Watch Industrial SalesLeads for updates.

NORTH CAROLINA:

Steel product mfr. is planning to invest $875 million for the construction of a 1.6 million sf manufacturing facility in COEFIELD, NC. They are currently seeking approval for the project.

About Industrial SalesLeads, Inc.

Since 1959, Industrial SalesLeads, based in Jacksonville, FL is a leader in delivering industrial capital project intelligence and prospecting services for sales and marketing teams to ensure a predictable and scalable pipeline. Our Industrial Market Intelligence, IMI identifies timely insights on companies planning significant capital investments such as new construction, expansion, relocation, equipment modernization and plant closings in industrial facilities. The Outsourced Prospecting Services, an extension to your sales team, is designed to drive growth with qualified meetings and appointments for your internal sales team. Visit us at salesleadsinc.com.

Each month, our team provides hundreds of industrial reports within a variety of industries, including: