The need for digital infrastructure continues to grow, and global data center construction is projected to increase from $287 billion in 2025 to $1.3 trillion over the next decade, creating long-term opportunity rather than a short-lived boom.

In July, Tyler Kautz, who previously served as vice president and district manager for PCL Construction’s Seattle office, stepped into a leadership role for PCL’s mission-critical Center of Excellence to help guide the company into this next era of growth. PCL’s Centers of Excellence bring together subject matter experts and resources for a concerted effort in areas of opportunity, in this case, data centers. Kautz says PCL has a unique advantage thanks to the diversification of its Buildings, Civil and Industrial sectors, as well as its Solar team. Simply put, PCL is able to perform every aspect of building a data center.

Sector collaboration is well established at PCL. The Buildings and Solar teams have successfully delivered multiple joint-venture projects, while the Civil and Industrial teams also frequently work together. In the data center market, Industrial and Buildings are currently teaming up on major builds for high-profile clients in Colorado and Texas.

The Buildings team typically manages the main facility, constructing the structure and the systems that keep a data center operating smoothly. Industrial focuses on the power side, including electrical work, backup systems and the equipment required for continuous operations.

Though the Civil and Solar teams were not involved in the current data center builds, opportunities for full-sector collaboration are growing. PCL’s Civil team can support site preparation, grading and water systems that manage cooling, while the Solar experts can contribute renewable energy solutions to enhance power capacity and long-term sustainability. The two teams are already performing these activities to support non-PCL data center sites, such as building a wastewater treatment facility and various solar projects delivering power to additional high-profile clients.

These combined capabilities make PCL one of the few contractors able to deliver fully integrated data center projects at scale. That level of integration, Kautz says, positions PCL to grow responsibly and profitably in this high-demand market.

“In the data center space, every PCL sector has an opportunity to collaborate,” Kautz says. “We are looking at multiple large campuses that will require power generation, renewable energy and water treatment facilities. Those scopes create a natural pathway for Buildings, Industrial, Civil and Solar to come together. We haven’t connected on a project that brings every sector to the table yet, but I’m confident that it’s coming.”

Rapid advances in technology, coupled with society’s growing reliance on IoT (Internet of Things) devices that require data storage, are fueling demand. Every photo stored in the cloud, every online purchase made, and every AI tool developed depends on a network of facilities that securely store, process and move information. This also includes phones, cars, watches and even smart refrigerators that can automatically place grocery orders without human interaction. As this demand increases, so does the need for reliable, domestically built infrastructure.

“The need for digital infrastructure is not going away,” Kautz says. “Aside from the increasing dependency everyone has on IoT devices, the AI race has been deemed a matter of national security, with data centers at the core of AI supremacy. Leadership in AI and data infrastructure drives economic strength, supports defense and creates jobs. By developing the AI and data storage capabilities in the United States, we reduce dependency on other nations and strengthen our energy and infrastructure sectors.”

As demand for data centers increases, so do concerns about sustainability and climate impact. Many new facilities are adopting closed-loop water systems that will recycle water after the initial fill, significantly reducing ongoing consumption.

PCL is already implementing strategies to help clients meet evolving sustainability expectations. Where feasible, the Solar team offers a cost-effective renewable option — though, at present, renewable energy can supply only a fraction of the required power. Kautz noted that PCL’s Industrial sector is exploring methods to capture nearly all carbon generated during cement manufacturing, preventing it from entering the atmosphere. By embracing these emerging technologies, PCL supports efforts to reduce construction-related carbon impacts in the data center market.

After nearly 20 years with PCL, Kautz reflects on what has kept him at the company and why he’s excited for the future.

He started his PCL career as an intern while also serving as a U.S. Marine Corps Reservist. Just three months into his role in Seattle, he deployed overseas and was amazed by the support from coworkers he barely knew. “Even as an intern, the team made it clear PCL was where I wanted to build my career,” he says.

He also recalls when his construction manager, Brad Hendrickson, traveled four hours to the hospital for the birth of his fourth child, bringing gifts for his older children and ensuring he could spend that week with his family. Experiences like these shaped his leadership philosophy and inspired him to support his own teams the same way.

“That focus on people guides how I lead,” Kautz says. “My career hasn’t been linear but PCL takes care of people willing to walk through new doors.”

Now, as a leader in PCL’s fastest-growing Center of Excellence, Kautz is developing the next generation of data center experts and strengthening PCL’s position as a trusted partner in this critical market.