Weekly Briefing: September 26, 2025
- Socially Adept Solutions
- Sep 29
- 4 min read
Week of September 22, 2025
Industry Confidence Index Remains Below Growth Threshold
ENR’s Confidence Index rose slightly to 48 in Q3, still below the growth threshold of 50, reflecting ongoing concerns about tariffs and high interest rates.
The economic index dropped to 44, with the proportion of firms expecting a market decline in the next 3–6 months increasing to 38.3%, compared to 30.8% last quarter.
Designers remain the most pessimistic among GC/CMs and subcontractors, with a score of 41, though their long-term outlook improved.
The Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) Confindex survey, which polls CFOs from general and civil contractors and subcontractors on markets and business conditions, shows slight improvement, with tax cuts and potential rate reductions fueling hope. However, inflation and cost pressures, especially for subcontractors, remain strong concerns.
The House Passed Several Bills in an Effort to Increase Fossil Fuel Production and Grid Connections
Three energy bills passed the House with bipartisan support, aiming to boost fossil fuel production and infrastructure while addressing energy security concerns. All now head to the Senate.
The Promoting Cross-border Energy Infrastructure Act simplifies approvals for pipelines and transmission lines between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico—potentially accelerating timelines for parties involved.
The National Coal Council reauthorization bill revives a 50-member advisory committee to the Energy Department, exempting it from expiration rules and reinforcing coal industry guidance.
The Guaranteeing Reliability through the Interconnection of Dispatchable Power Act (GRID Power Act) passed with bipartisan support and aims to fast-track grid connection for dispatchable (non-renewable) energy sources.
September 22, 2025
LJA Engineering (LJA), a Texas-based employee-owned engineering, planning, surveying, and environmental services firm, has acquired C E Group (CEG), a North Carolina-based multidisciplinary land development firm. This strategic move strengthens LJA’s geographic footprint in North Carolina and enables CEG to pursue larger projects and provide greater value by leveraging LJA’s resources. James Ross, President and CEO of LJA, commented, “By combining LJA’s national reach with C E Group’s local expertise, we are strengthening our capacity to provide comprehensive services and better serve our clients. This merger lays the foundation for our continued growth and success in the region.”
September 23, 2025
Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC), an Alabama-based architecture and engineering firm, has acquired Cassetty Architects, a Tennessee-based healthcare architecture firm. This acquisition boosts the expertise and capabilities of GMC’s healthcare architecture and planning practice. “We are pleased to welcome Clint [Cassetty] and the entire Cassetty Architects team to GMC. Their design excellence and deep relationships make them a natural fit for us,” stated Steve Alby, Vice President of Healthcare at GMC. “With their trusted partnerships and expertise, this acquisition strengthens our capabilities and expands our reach across the markets we serve.”
September 24, 2025
Jensen Hughes, a Maryland-based fire and life safety, security, and risk-based engineering and consulting firm, backed by Gryphon Investors, has acquired PLC Fire Safety Engineering (PLC), a Canada-based fire and life safety engineering firm. PLC’s regional knowledge and client base strengthen Jensen Hughes’ ability to serve clients throughout Canada and to deliver across critical sectors, including nuclear, transit, industrial, and healthcare. Raj Arora, CEO of Jensen Hughes, noted “[PLC’s] exceptional technical and leadership talent, strong client relationships and deep understanding of high-risk sectors align perfectly with our strategic priorities. Together, we’ll continue delivering industry-leading fire protection solutions while expanding our footprint and capabilities across Canada.”
September 24, 2025
BNP Associates (BNP), a Connecticut-based air transportation, supply chain and logistics design and engineering firm, backed by Godspeed Capital Management, has acquired Studdiford Technical Solutions (STS), a Virginia-based consulting firm that specializes in airport systems development and transportation security. STS’s expertise and design capabilities enable BNP to expand its service offerings across its client base. “We look forward to welcoming STS as we seek to augment BNP’s offerings in the aviation design market with unique and differentiated services for clients across the industry,” stated Damien Breier, CEO of BNP. “STS has a strong portfolio of successful projects completed at airports across the country for clients like TSA, global architectural/engineering (A/E) firms, and leading airline carriers like American and Southwest Airlines. We look forward to their close collaboration across our growing platform.”
September 26, 2025
RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture (RVi), a Texas-based design firm within the Atwell Family of Companies, has acquired Hitchcock Design Group, an Illinois-based multidisciplinary landscape architecture, placemaking, and urban design firm. This strategic move expands RVi’s geographic reach across the Midwest and the South. “Hitchcock Design Group is widely regarded as champions of thoughtful, impactful, and functional design – values that RVi also strongly upholds,” commented Chris Crawford, President of RVi. “We’re looking forward to combining our expertise and talents to continue creating inspirational, innovative spaces and experiences across the country.”
Employees from Freese and Nichols’ Dallas and Frisco locations repurposed unclaimed grocery orders into donations for the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB). By sorting and salvaging groceries, team members assembled more than 20,000 pounds of canned food, baby supplies, and beverages. As a member of Feeding America, a national hunger-relief organization, NTFB works to close the hunger gap in North Texas and advanced this mission by providing 118 million physical meals in 2024.
The EFCG Weekly Briefing summarizes the week’s key news in the AEC industry, including M&A updates, and micro- and macro-trends, aggregated from industry-focused and global news sources.
To send any additional press releases or news from your firm that you would like us to share please email Clay Han at chan@efcg.com.