America’s infrastructure is being rebuilt to keep up with the pace of growth from California to Maine. Aging systems, coupled with shifting government priorities and evolving demands, are driving investments. At the same time, global instability has brought supply chain reliability into sharp focus, forcing industries to prioritize resilience and local production. “Building plants in the U.S. ensures security and continuity,” says Joe Cutillo, CEO of Sterling Infrastructure, highlighting the surge in projects spanning manufacturing, data centers, and renewable energy. Federal programs like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the CHIPS Act are more than just funding mechanisms, they represent a generational opportunity to modernize the backbone of the economy. “These laws are fueling infrastructure development on a scale we haven’t seen in decades,” adds Richard Kennedy, CEO of Skanska USA. “They are unlocking opportunities that have the potential to transform industries and communities alike.”
Certain regions are emerging as epicenters of infrastructure transformation. The Rocky Mountains and Midwest are drawing attention for their affordable land and logistical advantages while Texas, already a leader in industrial and civil projects, continues to attract major developments. “The state’s growth is driven by its low taxes, expanding population, and strategic location,” says David Walls, president and CEO of Austin Industries. Cutillo notes that “states like Tennessee, Ohio and Georgia are seeing explosive growth in manufacturing and data centers due to access to power, water, and business-friendly policies.” Indeed, data centers, driven by demand for cloud services and AI, are expanding rapidly. “Americans being conditioned for on-demand services is driving the growth of data centers and logistics infrastructure,” says Walls. “For instance, the rapid processing and delivery systems of companies like Amazon and FedEx have revolutionized product distribution. This shift has influenced many facets of our work, requiring us to build infrastructure which supports this demand for speed and efficiency.” The CHIPS Act has also sparked a resurgence in semiconductor manufacturing. “Global instability has made U.S.-based production essential,” adds Walls.
“For example, the first U.S. silicon manufacturing plant in 20 years is now under construction. Renewable energy projects, including EV infrastructure and grid modernization, are accelerating as sustainability becomes a core focus. Joseph Sczurko, U.S. region president at WSP, adds, “We are preparing for a more sustainable future by enhancing the grid and decarbonizing infrastructure.”
THE FUTURE OF AMERICAN CITIES
U.S. cities are grappling with a complex landscape of rapid technological advancements, shifting demographics, and pressing environmental challenges. To thrive, urban centers, from the sprawling metropolis of New York to the burgeoning hub of Austin, must redefine their roles. These cities offer compelling case studies in adaptation and growth, demonstrating how urban centers can navigate these challenges and emerge stronger. As Claire Johnston, CEO Americas at Lendlease, underlines, “Cities are indispensable, and as we move forward, we must solve these challenges to ensure they continue to thrive as vibrant, livable spaces.”
New York City: Reinventing Its Empire
The world’s greatest cities are not immune to change, and New York knows it well. Long reliant on Wall Street, the city has spent the past decade rewriting its economic playbook. “Since the financial crisis in 2008, New York has recognized the need to diversify its economy to remain globally competitive,” explains Andrew Kimball, president and CEO of NYCEDC. Tech jobs now account for 7 percent of the city’s economy, growing from near-zero to 350,000 in just over a decade. Infrastructure, too, is evolving. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s $19 billion airport modernization project has turned LaGuardia and Newark from global punchlines into models of efficiency. “Historically, our airports were ranked among the worst,” admits Richard Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority. “Now, LaGuardia’s Terminal B and Newark’s Terminal A have received awards as the best new airport terminals globally.” But challenges persist. Housing affordability remains a millstone around the city’s neck, and its success in attracting high-tech jobs has not yet translated into equitable opportunities for all its residents. Whether New York can address these gaps will determine if its reinvention is truly sustainable.
Austin: Weird, Wired, and Growing Fast
Austin’s iconic slogan “Keep Austin Weird” could just as easily read “Keep Austin Growing.” The Texas capital is a tale of transformation, evolving from a sleepy college town into one of America’s most dynamic tech hubs. Carlton Schwab, president and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Council, traces the shift back to the 1970s. “Austin started as a small college town laying the foundation for the region’s economic evolution,” he says. The arrival of IBM and the rise of local heroes like Michael Dell cemented its status as a tech leader. Today, Austin is both a magnet for startups and a rival to Silicon Valley. It has embraced its role as a cultural and tech powerhouse, with projects like the $7.1 billion Project Connect light rail system connecting its neighborhoods and reducing car dependency. “Austin’s rapid growth necessitates thoughtful urban planning,” notes T.C. Broadnax, Austin’s city manager. Downtown, over 7.8 million square feet of new construction is redefining the city as a 24-hour urban hub. Yet, Austin faces a moment. As housing costs soar—rents are up 25 percent since 2020—the city risks pricing out the very talent that fuels its growth. Balancing affordability with innovation will determine whether it becomes a self-sustaining innovation hub or repeats some of the pitfalls seen in Silicon Valley over the past few years.
Just south along the I-35 corridor, San Antonio is emerging as a dynamic partner to Austin, forming a mega-region poised to rival the world’s most competitive economic zones. “San Antonio represents the future of Texas and the U.S. as a whole, with its 60 percent Latino population reflecting the nation’s evolving demographic trends,” says Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, president and CEO of Greater SATX.
SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCY FRONT OF MIND
The next decade will redefine the U.S. supply chain, driven by lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and evolving economic strategies. Reshoring, nearshoring, and “friendshoring” are set to anchor a more resilient logistics ecosystem.
The pandemic revealed vulnerabilities in global supply chains and prompted a reevaluation of logistics strategies. “COVID was a wake-up call,” says Denis Reilly, CEO of Kenco. “Nearshoring to Mexico and Canada offers a practical balance, ensuring sustainability and mitigating risks without the high costs of full reshoring.” Patrick Kelleher, CEO North America at DHL, adds: “Mexico’s proximity, affordable labor and strong logistics infrastructure make it a natural choice for companies rethinking supply chains.” However, reshoring within the U.S. faces new challenges. The potential return of Trump-era tariffs on Mexico and Canada could complicate efforts to stabilize North American supply chains. This is particularly relevant for Texas, where a corridor stretching from northern Mexico to Austin has become a hub for manufacturing and logistics. “San Antonio’s position within this mega-region, coupled with its connectivity to Mexico, makes it a strategic anchor for nearshoring efforts, but tariffs could disrupt these gains,” says Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, CEO of Greater SATX.
Railroads are positioned to be a backbone for the next generation of supply chains, offering efficient and sustainable freight solutions. “40 percent of U.S. freight already moves by rail, and that number should grow,” explains Patty Long, president of the Railway Supply Institute. “Rail is not only the greenest mode of transport but also critical for supporting the increased freight volumes expected from reshoring and nearshoring.” Union Pacific is investing heavily in infrastructure to meet these demands. "We’re building new intermodal terminals and enhancing connectivity with Mexico to support localized supply chains," says EVP of Operations Eric Gehringer. These investments align with the broader trend of integrating rail with other modes of transport to create seamless logistics networks. Technological advancements will play a central role in reshaping supply chains. “AI helps businesses predict disruptions and optimize operations, making supply chains more adaptive and resilient,” says Duncan Angove, CEO of Blue Yonder. Shawn Stewart, CEO at Forward Air, further adds “technological advancements will play a central role in reshaping supply chains. AI, robotics, and predictive analytics are driving greater agility and efficiency.” With the rise of Waymo on the streets of San Francisco and beyond, we are also likely to see increasing penetration of autonomous vehicles over the coming years. Autonomous vehicles are known to respond faster than human drivers and are safer, although autonomous trucks will have drivers present for emergencies rather than completely driverless trucks in the near term.
THE FUTURE OF AMERICAN MANUFACTURING
Imagine a factory where 3D printers hum alongside robotic arms and CNC machines, crafting complex, customized parts on demand. This is what the future of U.S. manufacturing could look like. Additive manufacturing is best seen as a tool for solving specific challenges rather than a wholesale replacement for traditional methods. “The factories of tomorrow will integrate 3D printing where it delivers the most value, like creating intricate geometries or addressing low-volume needs, while maintaining conventional production for large-scale operations,” says Avi Reichental, CEO of Nexa3D. There are already a number of industry examples where this is happening. “We are enabling parts that traditional methods simply cannot produce—whether it is precision components for rocket engines or materials optimized for hypersonics,” notes Brad Kreger, CEO of Velo3D. Philip DeSimone, Co- CEO of Carbon adds “for industries like health care and footwear, 3D printing allows companies to iterate faster, produce smaller batches and adapt quickly to changing demands.” In aerospace, it is transforming maintenance strategies. “With distributed manufacturing, we can print parts locally to keep planes flying, reducing downtime and costs,” says Yoav Zeif, CEO of Stratasys.
One of the key benefits of 3D printing will be addressing the challenges of supply chain resiliency to fill in gaps in an increasingly complex geopolitical world. “A 3D printing site can be operational in a day, producing parts immediately. That kind of flexibility is critical for responding to today’s supply chain challenges,” says DeSimone.
A FINAL NOTE
We often have a way of leaning into pessimism, but I am, at heart, an optimist and I am energized by the direction of the U.S. There should be concern from other economies at the sheer pace of innovation and the thirst for growth in the U.S. Yes, complacency, political polarization, and a lack of infrastructure investment could derail progress. But at its core, the U.S. represents the extraordinary potential of openness, collaboration, and a spirit of friendly competition. To truly flourish, it must lean into these strengths, building a brighter, bolder future, not just for itself, but for the rest of the world as well.