Construction, Agriculture & Data Center Demand Set to Soar by 2030, Merlo America Forecast Shows
Telehandler manufacturer Merlo America has unveiled an economic forecast pointing to a decade of opportunity across the construction, agriculture and data center sectors. Developed in collaboration with predictive sales intelligence firm BiltData.ai, the report projects a robust 4-percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in U.S. construction spending; rising from $1.553 trillion in 2025 to $1.889 trillion by 2030.
With pockets of demand accelerating nationwide, Merlo America is using these insights to strategically expand its dealer network — providing partners with the tools, technology and foresight to win in high-growth markets. Merlo America is poised to deliver its broad array of telehandlers, utility tractors and attachments to meet the demands of these rapidly expanding markets.
“This is about putting data in the hands of the people building the future,” said Cole Renken, general manager & president for Merlo America. “We are arming our dealers with intelligence from BiltData.ai to help them succeed in the places where demand is rising fastest — whether that’s in construction, agriculture or the booming data center sector.”
BiltData uses advanced data science to help companies uncover their highest-value customers and territories. By merging customer, market and sales data into three-click dashboards, BiltData transforms strategic planning into a science — making growth clear, measurable, and achievable.
A third of cities dominate two thirds of spending
According to Merlo’s forecast, just 35 metropolitan areas will account for 64 percent of total construction spending in 2030 — with the top 10 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) alone representing more than one-third of the market. Leading the charge is the New York-Newark-Jersey City region, projected to hit $162 billion in spending by 2030, followed by Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston.
Breakdown of projected 2030 construction spending:
• Residential: $756 billion
• Commercial: $567 billion
• Industrial: $377 billion
• Infrastructure: $189 billion
The report highlights Dallas-Fort Worth’s $57.3 billion construction forecast for 2030 and the industrial momentum in cities like Chicago and Atlanta, pointing to clear opportunities for Merlo America’s expanding footprint.
Data centers driving industrial demand
Data centers are emerging as powerful drivers of construction and industrial activity. The top 12 markets are expected to account for nearly 73 percent of all U.S. data center capacity by 2030, spurred by demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence and 5G infrastructure. Data centers with a capacity of 1,500 MW are a significant driver of technological advancement, particularly in AI and cloud computing. These 12 tech-heavy hubs are ripe for investment in equipment and skilled services — a growth wave Merlo America is prepared to ride.
Agriculture still matters
Beyond urban expansion, the report identifies agricultural hotspots across 179 Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) areas. These regions not only contribute significantly to GDP but are expected to sustain solid employment growth through 2029. Merlo America’s utility tractors and telehandlers are well-suited to serve these high-output zones, helping modernize operations and improve efficiency on farms and rural projects.
Data-driven decision making
Underpinning the report is BiltData’s advanced forecasting methodology — which combines public data, industry trends and geospatial modeling into actionable market intelligence. With easy-to-navigate dashboards and market heat maps, users of its data gain a clear view of where to focus and grow.
“This is not just a forecast — it’s a roadmap,” said Renken. “Whether you’re a contractor, developer, or dealer, this data empowers you to make smarter decisions. With BiltData.ai’s support, we’re unlocking new levels of precision and potential.”
As demand for reliable, multifunctional machines increases, the company’s advanced telehandlers and utility tractors are positioned to play a key role on construction sites, farms and data campuses across the country as demand increases.
Merlo America launched a new Resource Hub where it will periodically release new insights, forecasts and data research about the construction, agriculture and data center industries.
You can download the full report on Merlo America's website: https://merlo.com/usa/en/resource-hub/. For further information, contact BiltData.ai.