Posted on September 18, 2025
ConstructionDive ranked the best and worst states for cutting through government resistance of construction projects:
The launch of the index arrives as demand for large-scale projects surges, boosted in part by the Trump administration’s push to accelerate permitting for projects valued at $500 million or more.
That could make or break timelines on major construction projects, especially when review periods stretch from months into years, according to the report.
For example, data center builders often cite permitting friction as a top challenge, alongside power constraints and equipment lead times. About one in eight contractors hold an active data center contract, according to Associated Builders and Contractors.
The top states:
- Tennessee
- Florida
- Texas
- Indiana
- Arizona
- North Carolina
- Georgia
- Virginia
- Michigan
- New Hampshire