• Posted: January 7, 2026
• better careers, better communities, better construction, Data center construction in Chicago, Electrical Contractors Association in Chicago, Electrical industry in Chicago, IBEW Local 134, IBEW Local 134 electricians, Skilled Electrical Workforce in Cook County, Union electricians in Chicago

As Chicago cements its position as a Tier 1 data center market, one factor stands out as critical to sustaining this growth: a highly skilled electrical workforce capable of building, maintaining, and operating the infrastructure that powers our digital world.

In the latest Ask the Expert feature from Crain’s Chicago Business, Matthew Kelly, Senior Vice President of Operations at Gibson Electric, discusses how this rise is shaping the region and how Powering Chicago and its partners are ensuring that electrical construction in Cook County continues to meet the growing demand for advanced facilities.

Why Chicago Is Emerging as a Tier 1 Market

According to Kelly, Chicago’s long history as a national transportation and technology hub makes it uniquely suited to the next wave of digital infrastructure. With its vast fiber network, strong power generation capacity, and access to readily available union-trained electricians, the city is positioned to lead the next chapter in data center construction and maintenance.

Beyond its infrastructure, Chicago’s talent base stands out. Thousands of construction jobs are created during each project, with long-term maintenance roles sustaining local employment. For the broader economy, this translates into recurring opportunities that strengthen both careers and communities.

Preparing the Workforce for Tomorrow’s Demands

The needs of the data center industry are changing rapidly. To stay ahead, Powering Chicago’s electrical contractors and IBEW Local 134 electricians continue to adopt digital tools and new methods that boost efficiency, safety, and precision in every phase of construction.

Kelly highlights the integration of technologies like 3D building information modeling (BIM), cloud-based site scanning, and robotic layout systems, which allow contractors to work faster while maintaining uncompromising quality. Prefabrication is also becoming a cornerstone of electrical construction in Cook County, allowing more work to be completed in controlled environments that reduce risk, improve safety, and ensure faster installations.

Building with Safety and Continuous Improvement

At Gibson Electric and across Powering Chicago’s network, safety is central to every project. Kelly notes that while data-center construction often operates on accelerated schedules, every worker’s well-being remains the top priority.

By embracing the Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement, Powering Chicago contractors maintain rigorous safety standards and uphold a culture that values accountability, focus, and excellence on every job site.

What’s Next for Electrical Construction in Cook County

Looking ahead, Kelly points to the rise of hyperscale data-center campuses, multi-building sites designed to deliver up to 300 megawatts of IT capacity. These massive projects will require even greater coordination between contractors, developers, and the skilled electricians who bring them to life.

For business leaders, facility managers, developers, and architects across the region, this growth represents both a challenge and an opportunity: to partner with a workforce that combines technical expertise, safety discipline, and forward-thinking innovation.

Powering Chicago’s Commitment

Through its partnership with the Electrical Contractors Association of Chicago and Cook County (ECA), as well as IBEW Local 134, Powering Chicago continues to invest in the training, technology, and people that keep the region’s electrical industry strong.

Every new data center, commercial facility, or infrastructure upgrade built by Powering Chicago member contractors supports the same mission: better construction, better careers, and better communities.

Read Crain’s full feature to learn more about Chicago’s growth as a Tier 1 data-center market and how Powering Chicago’s workforce is powering that future.