FMI’S Five-Year Forecast

Diana O' Lare

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August 17, 2026

What markets are growing? Which sectors are cooling? And what does the rapid rise of data centers and energy infrastructure mean for the future of the AEC industry?


In this episode of The Market Edge, Diana O’Lare sits down with Brian Strawberry, Chief Economist at FMI, to discuss FMI’s latest Q3 Outlook and what engineering and construction leaders need to know about the next five years. From manufacturing and data centers to power generation and grid investment, Brian shares the trends shaping demand, risk, and opportunity across the industry.

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About the author

Diana O' Lare

Diana O' Lare is the Senior Vice President of Market Intel at ACEC