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PBJ Features NECA/IBEW: Mid-Year Trends in the Pacific Northwest Electrical Industry

Triptych image showing three electrical industry project types: server racks in a data center, a construction worker in an orange safety vest reviewing plans on a laptop at a scaffolded building site, and a wall-mounted EV charging station

The Pacific Northwest electrical industry is in the middle of a shift. Not a slowdown, not a surge, but a redistribution of where and how work is happening.

A recent NECA/IBEW article in the Portland Business Journal breaks down what that means for contractors, electricians, and business leaders heading into the second half of 2026. From evolving construction activity and building electrification retrofits to the continued growth of data centers and facility modernization projects, the piece explores how the regional market is adapting to new technologies, policy changes, and economic conditions.

The full article covers what’s driving demand across sectors, how workforce development and digital tools are shaping operations, and what emerging trends, including EV infrastructure, thermal energy networks, and fault-managed power systems,  signal for the years ahead.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE


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