The U.S. economy is becoming increasingly dependent on data center construction and supporting infrastructure, the Federal Reserve's Beige Book shows. The latest edition mentioned data centers 25 times, up from eight in September 2025 and one in September 2024. Although overall economic growth remained modest, data center demand supported construction and manufacturing, tightened labor markets, increased legal and shipping work, and placed pressure on electricity providers. Separate Census Bureau data showed data center construction spending reached a $75 billion annual rate in July, up 57% from July 2025. The expansion has also prompted concerns about local moratoriums, worker shortages, imported supplies and the concentration of economic activity in one industry.