Georgia construction outlook: planning in 2026

In its March 2026 release covering the second half of 2025, CBRE reported continued expansion of Atlanta's data center inventory and construction activity. Use its reporting period when discussing the figures, and check individual project information for current design, approval, and construction status.

• CBRE: Atlanta data center findings for the second half of 2025

For your own site, record the status of utility service, approvals, design, and contractor selection. Establish what remains to be completed before bids can be requested and which decisions affect the first stage of work. That information gives the construction team a basis for planning and pricing.

Georgia Power states that its 2025 Integrated Resource Plan was approved in July 2025. The plan addresses generation, transmission, renewable procurement, storage, and demand-side resources. Use the plan to understand the utility's broader direction, then confirm service arrangements for the project directly with the provider.

• Georgia Power: 2025 Integrated Resource Plan

Ask the serving utility and project engineers to confirm the requirements and current status for the actual site. For civil construction, identify the drawings and utility decisions needed before foundations, underground routes, and equipment connections are ready to build.

Georgia's economic development department reported facility expansions and new locations supported during fiscal year 2025, with commitments to investment and future jobs. The report describes commitments to future development. Review the individual site's plans and approvals when evaluating construction requirements.

• Georgia Department of Economic Development: fiscal year 2025 results

For an industrial facility, start a project brief with the production or storage use, equipment, floor requirements, deliveries, utilities, and future expansion. Review those requirements against the proposed property, then develop the site and building work needed to support the operation.

An Atlanta-area search may include Newnan, Douglasville, Marietta, McDonough, Cartersville, or Lawrenceville. Compare access, utilities, ground conditions, and the operating team's needs for each property under consideration.

Identify the authority responsible for the property's zoning and permit reviews, including whether it lies inside a municipality or in an unincorporated county area. Ask your project team to confirm the approval path for the exact address. Use that authority's current requirements when developing the design and approval schedule.

Assess availability through the people and resources proposed for your work. Ask who will supervise, which packages will be self-performed or subcontracted, what other commitments the team is carrying, and how it intends to staff the requested sequence. Obtain project-relevant references where appropriate.

Include staffing and availability in contractor selection, and confirm the proposed arrangements again before award. Ask how the contractor will coordinate other commitments, handle changes in the construction sequence, and maintain supervision through completion.

Request quotations tied to an identified specification, quantity, delivery location, and validity period. Establish who approves submittals, authorizes release, arranges storage, and accepts delivery. Ask suppliers to explain what their proposed dates depend on and update the construction schedule when those conditions change.

For early purchases, resolve design compatibility and commercial responsibility with the project team before committing. Treat market reports as background reading and current project correspondence as the basis for decisions. Keep purchasing decisions, approval dates, and delivery commitments in the same project record so the team can update construction plans when conditions change.