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layco, a Chicago-based construction and development giant, is experiencing rapid growth in the data center sector due to soaring demand for generative AI technologies. The company's revenue from data center projects surged to $3.6 billion last year, accounting for half of its total revenue. To capitalize on this trend, Clayco has launched a specialized division called Clayco Compute, led by Ryan McGuire, which will oversee the firm's data center projects.

    Under the leadership of newly appointed CEO Anthony Johnson, who previously headed the company's industrial business unit, Clayco is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for computing power driven by AI systems like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. The market is expected to double within five to seven years, with annual growth rates accelerating to 10-20% compared to 5% five years ago.

    Clayco's overall revenue reached $7.5 billion last year, a 29% increase despite challenges in the broader commercial construction market due to higher interest rates. The company serves approximately 80% of hyperscale users, organizations with high demand for data center capacity. However, securing equipment, power, and skilled labor remains a pressing concern, particularly in remote areas where many data centers are being constructed.