In the latest episode of the B2B talk show “Let’s Talk Business South Carolina”, Brian Gallagher, Vice President of Corporate Development at Graycor, offered valuable insight into the 2025 outlook for the commercial construction industry. Featured in Episode 53, Gallagher shared his perspective on key trends shaping the sector both in South Carolina and nationwide.

During his appearance, Gallagher addressed a range of timely topics, including rising construction spending, workforce shortages, the ongoing demand for datacenter infrastructure, and the increasing prioritization of sustainability in new projects. He also touched on the rapid integration of new technologies that are transforming how construction firms operate and deliver projects.

“We’re continuing to see strong investment in construction across multiple sectors,” Gallagher said, emphasizing that both regional and national markets are experiencing growth. “South Carolina’s performance, in many ways, is in line with national trends, but there are also some unique local dynamics at play.”

Gallagher also spoke to the ongoing labor challenges facing the industry. “Finding skilled labor continues to be a top issue for contractors,” he noted. “It’s not just about filling roles — it’s about finding people with the right expertise to meet today’s complex project demands.”

One area seeing rapid growth is the construction of datacenters, driven by rising demand for digital infrastructure. “The datacenter boom is a major driver of activity right now,” said Gallagher. “It’s not just a trend — it’s becoming a significant part of the construction landscape.”

Sustainability, too, is playing an increasingly central role. “We’re seeing more clients interested in energy-efficient and environmentally responsible buildings,” Gallagher added. “Sustainable construction isn’t just a checkbox anymore — it’s part of long-term strategy.”

The interview also explored the adoption of emerging technologies such as building information modeling (BIM), AI-powered planning tools, and robotics. Gallagher emphasized that these innovations are helping firms streamline workflows, improve safety, and enhance project delivery.

“Let’s Talk Business South Carolina” is hosted by Rick Jenkins, a veteran business publisher with deep ties to the Palmetto State’s economic landscape. The show regularly features industry leaders, executives, policymakers, and community figures who weigh in on the challenges and opportunities facing South Carolina’s business community.

The episode with Brian Gallagher is now available for viewing online, and the podcast can also be downloaded on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and other major platforms.

Originally reported by Joan Krause in Ground Break Carolinas.