The newDodge Momentum Index (DMI) for the month of November decreased by 2.3% to a new score of 191.5 from the revised October reading of 196.0. Over the month, commercial planning was down 4.6% while institutional planning improved by 2.5%.The November DMI is 12% higher than year-ago levels. The commercial segment was up 13% from November 2023, while the institutional segment was up 8% over the same period.The DCN also shares: "The influence of data centers on the DMI this year has been substantial. If we remove all data center projects in 2023 and 2024, commercial planning would be down 6% from year-ago levels, and the entire DMI would be down 1%."Sarah Martin, the associate director of forecasting at Dodge Construction Network, stated: "Throughout 2024, weve seen robust growth in nonresidential planning activity but labor shortages and high construction costs have prevented those projects from moving through the planning process at a normal pace. The current backlog may...