Expert Insights
Expert Insights
As President and CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc., Mary Scott Nabers has decades of experience working in the public-private sector. A well-recognized expert in the P3 and government contracting fields, she is often asked to share her industry insights with top publications and through professional speaking engagements. Get an exclusive look at upcoming trends and insider tips from Mary herself on the SPI blog.
A new community-centered bargain is emerging around data center growth
For more than a decade, states and local governments nationwide competed aggressively to attract new data center developments. The pitch was simple: billions of dollars in private investment, new jobs, and a growing tax base. State leaders touted them as engines of...
Rural America is emerging as a new hotspot for major infrastructure projects
Large metropolitan areas often capture the spotlight when it comes to contracting with governmental entities, but many of the most significant public infrastructure investments are now taking shape in rural America. Federal funding programs, state capital initiatives,...
America’s bridge replacement boom creates billions in infrastructure opportunities
America's bridge infrastructure is receiving unprecedented attention as federal, state and local officials confront decades of deferred maintenance and escalating transportation demands. According to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association's latest...
Data centers and the new public works debate in America
Data centers are not a new novelty. They have been with us for decades. But for most of that time, they were invisible infrastructure. They sat behind fences, cooled by enormous mechanical systems, powering the cloud, online commerce, streaming, banking, logistics,...
Renewal efforts are transforming public assets across the U.S.
Public officials throughout America are advancing an unprecedented wave of modernization and preservation initiatives focused on aging civic infrastructure and historic public assets. Deferred maintenance challenges, growing accessibility requirements, and increasing...
Collaboration Nation… and a new initiative the Strategic Partnerships Team is launching
America has faced defining infrastructure moments before. Decades ago, public officials and private sector innovators worked together to build the interstate highway system, modern airports, water systems, power networks, ports, and public facilities that fueled the...
New sportsplexes and recreation centers are reshaping communities nationwide
Communities throughout America are investing heavily in recreation infrastructure as demands for year-round wellness, sports tourism, and family-oriented amenities continue to rise. Industry analysts estimate that youth and amateur sports generate more than $50...
If you are affiliated with a company that sells to government… this note is for you!
The SPI Team is in awe of something we want to share. It seems only fitting to share it with our long-time newsletter subscribers. Many of you have been loyal subscribers for more than two decades, so we now consider you to be part of our extended family. About two...
Emergency response infrastructure enters new era nationwide
Rising population growth, urban density, climate-related disasters, and increasing demands on emergency response systems are driving significant investments in fire and public safety infrastructure across the U.S. Communities are no longer focused solely on replacing...
America’s airports prepare for a new era of expansion and modernization
America’s airports are entering a new era of expansion and modernization as passenger demand, aging infrastructure, security requirements, and economic growth continue to drive major capital investment nationwide. From large international hubs to growing regional...
Federal procurement rules are changing, and it’ll be wise to monitor how they evolve
Something significant occurred very recently and it is not only noteworthy, it represents a major shift that should be monitored carefully by both government officials and private sector contractors. President Trump’s new Executive Order related to future federal...
Government at a Crossroads: Funding, uncertainty reshape America’s infrastructure outlook
Americans are experiencing what history will surely characterize as changing, somewhat chaotic, and genuinely uncertain times. Business leaders are cautious, and competition is fierce. Public sector leaders at every jurisdictional level of government entered 2026...
States ramp up healthcare modernization with major investments in labs, hospitals and behavioral health
Healthcare modernization projects across the U.S. are accelerating as public agencies respond to aging infrastructure, workforce constraints, and rising demand for behavioral health and advanced diagnostics. Recent data and industry reporting point to several...
The Quiet Revolution: Building the future from the ground up
Big changes and big needs are emerging so quickly. It seems appropriate to pause and consider some of the monumental issues facing public officials and government at large. The country has entered an era where infrastructure is no longer just roads, bridges, and...
America’s aging water systems trigger a surge in billion-dollar fixes
Investments in wastewater and water treatment infrastructure across the United States are accelerating at an unprecedented pace. Federal data from the EPA indicates that more than $630 billion in water infrastructure improvements will be needed over the next two...
Something new has happened at Strategic Partnerships!
The SPI Team and I are hoping that our newsletter friends will be as pleased as we are about a very special announcement we can finally make. We are ready to introduce our much-awaited RAPID RESEARCH ENGINE. Our formal marketing campaign will begin next week, but we...
Transit hubs emerge as catalysts for growth and development
A new generation of transit projects is reshaping how public transportation is structured to improve community connections. Across the United States, public agencies are advancing multimodal hubs that do more than move passengers, they anchor development, improve...
Play, Gather, Thrive: Cities double down on recreation investments
Local government officials across America regularly maintain and preserve public assets, while also investing in the development of new ones. Currently, municipal leaders nationwide are making significant investments in recreational infrastructure, reflecting a...
Universities continue to launch multimillion-dollar campus transformations
Colleges and universities are gaining high visibility as announcements are made about plans to launch all types of visionary projects, most of which are far beyond traditional campus upgrades. From large-scale athletic complexes to mixed-use districts and community...
Public library projects expand nationwide as communities invest in modernization
Public libraries in many cities and counties are undergoing a significant transformation, evolving far beyond their traditional roles as repositories for books. Today’s library projects reflect a broader mission, one that emphasizes community engagement, digital...
Battery storage projects surge as grid reinforcement becomes a national priority
Battery storage and power system reinforcement are rapidly moving from long-term planning concepts to immediate infrastructure priorities across the United States. As extreme weather events, electrification demands, and renewable energy integration place new pressures...
Redevelopment projects still in planning phases create industry opportunities nationwide
City officials throughout the U.S. are advancing ambitious redevelopment initiatives designed to stimulate economic growth, strengthen infrastructure, and enhance quality of life for citizens. These large-scale projects incorporate a growing trend among local...
Surging demand for student housing fuels major campus investment opportunities
University leaders throughout the U.S. are accelerating plans to modernize and expand student housing as enrollment stabilizes and demand for on-campus living rebounds. Recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics indicates that total postsecondary...
Big news to share… and, as always, upcoming opportunity alerts that are just in planning stages
Something new and exciting is coming very soon! Our newsletter subscribers will be the first to know… so watch carefully for next week’s newsletters – Government Contracting Pipeline and Texas Government Insider – you’ll be the first to hear this news! The SPI Team...
Civic campus projects drive downtown revitalization nationwide
Cities across the United States are increasingly launching large civic centers and municipal campus projects as part of broader efforts to reinvigorate downtown districts. Municipal leaders are replacing aging city halls and scattered municipal facilities with modern...
Infrastructure resiliency initiatives advance even as federal support slows
Resiliency and sustainability initiatives are driving a rapidly expanding pipeline of public infrastructure projects across the United States. Federal policy and funding support over the past several years accelerated many types of these large-scale infrastructure...
Transit-oriented development projects continue to reshape American cities
One federal funding program continues to support transit-oriented development (TOD) as a strategy to support encourage more ridership, expand housing options, and create more connected communities while generating economic vitality for cities. TODs focus on building...
Universities launch major academic facility projects nationwide
Universities and community college executives are investing heavily in new academic facilities and modernized learning environments. Aging infrastructure, growing enrollment in many regions, and the need for more workforce-aligned programs are prompting institutions...
Aging U.S. bridges drive multibillion-dollar replacement plans
America’s bridge infrastructure is entering a defining decade. Transportation agencies are advancing high value replacement projects that blend safety, mobility, freight reliability, and multimodal access. Many of the structures now slated for reconstruction were...
Large-scale utility projects reflect rising compliance and growth demands
Public officials throughout America are advancing critical infrastructure investments related to utilities and the planning documents indicate that projects scheduled to launch soon will shape the reliability, safety, and resilience of essential services for decades...
Multimillion-dollar renovations signal strong public sector infrastructure activity
State and local leaders throughout America are launching the planning phases of large renovation projects to preserve historic landmarks and modernize critical public facilities. The projects being planned reflect a strong commitment to sustainability, operational...
Capital investments signal an abundance of upcoming infrastructure projects in rural America
There is an abundance of evidence indicating that large amounts of capital for infrastructure investment have been allocated for rural America in 2026. Upcoming projects on drawing boards currently are being designed to strengthen public services, improve...
Cities bet big on sports tourism and community recreation
Cities throughout America are building or modernizing sports venues. Many are incorporating them into sports-anchored districts designed to pull in visitors year-round, not just on game day. With strong tailwinds, sports tourism is widely forecast to grow rapidly over...
Not to be overlooked – a national surge in law enforcement infrastructure and growing demand for public safety complexes
City leaders throughout America are investing in the next generation of law enforcement facilities designed to meet operational demands, strengthen public safety coordination, and support long term community growth. Aging police stations that were built decades ago...
Building Air Travel’s Next Era: Airport projects move forward nationwide
Airports throughout the US. are moving beyond incremental upgrades and toward long-range modernization strategies. Projects are being designed to meet sustained growth, evolving airline needs, and rising passenger expectations. From terminal expansions to landside and...
Healthcare infrastructure investments are accelerating nationwide
Across the United States, healthcare infrastructure has entered a period of significant transition. Aging facilities, population growth, rising construction costs, and increasing demand for behavioral health and specialty care are causing public officials and...
Downtown transit centers are driving the next generation of mobility projects
America’s transit agencies are being upgraded and modernized, delivering new amenities, upgraded convenience, better security, and safer access for riders. After years of deferred upgrades, many cities are prioritizing projects that improve transfers, simplify...
Billions of dollars in play as communities tackle aging water infrastructure
America’s water and wastewater infrastructure is entering a period of reinvestment, and because of that, opportunities for collaboration between private sector firms and public entities will be abundant in 2026. Decades-old treatment plants, pump stations, and...
Capital projects spotlight a nationwide push to modernize and expand America’s libraries
At a time when information is available instantly on phones, computers and laptops, communities across the country are making a surprising but deliberate investment in bricks-and-mortar libraries. Far from becoming obsolete, public libraries are being reimagined as...
Building the Future: Major public investments are driving America’s next economic growth cycle
Public sector leaders are increasingly aligning capital investments to support long-term economic development objectives. Rather than focusing solely on bricks and mortar, cities, counties, and educational institutions are prioritizing projects that strengthen...