Construction can often serve as an indicator of confidence and growth within a community. Here in Nebraska, development continues to reflect steady expansion and long-term investment in our state’s future. New construction brings opportunities for businesses to grow while attracting people and industries that continue to strengthen our communities each year. Particularly in Lincoln, Nebraska, a city shaped by diverse industries and generations, continued development supports both economic momentum and evolving community needs.
Construction plays an important role in shaping how companies operate and how they serve customers, influencing everything from functionality to accessibility and long-term efficiency. Commercial construction, in particular, reflects investment in future growth rather than short-term gains. As technology continues to advance, construction and engineering professionals are adapting to new trends, innovative building methods, and changing expectations within the industry. In this feature, readers will hear from commercial construction professionals across the areas that are helping shape the future of development in our community.
Founded in 1999, Tru-Built Construction (Tru-Built.net) is celebrating 26 years of building high-end residential and commercial projects throughout Lincoln and the surrounding communities. From large custom homes to complex commercial and multi-family developments, Tru-Built has built its reputation on craftsmanship, clear communication, and long-term value.
What sets Tru-Built apart is its ability to successfully manage both new construction and remodeling projects. This dual expertise allows the team to approach projects with flexibility and problem-solving experience whether starting from the ground up or working within existing structures. Clients choose Tru-Built for its hands-on project management, realistic cost-plus budgeting, and commitment to delivering a finished product that performs well for years to come.
Currently, Tru-Built is working on two major apartment developments: the third phase of Aristos Apartments near 40th and Yankee Hill, and Aristos at Waterford, a multi-year project that will ultimately include over 500 apartment units designed around two large central courtyards. These projects highlight Tru-Built’s capacity to handle large-scale developments while continuing to serve custom residential and commercial clients.
After more than two decades in business, Tru-Built Construction remains focused on building quality spaces and lasting relationships.
Schwisow Construction (Schwisow.com) is a general contracting firm with its headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska. Their comprehensive services are designed to meet the unique needs of each client and project. These include: design-build, design-bid-build, construction management, pre-construction consulting, and a dedicated small projects team.
What truly sets them apart is their commitment to relationships and accountability. Many of their employees, subcontractors, and clients have worked with them for decades. That longevity speaks to the trust they have built and the consistency they bring to every project.
Clients choose Schwisow Construction because they want a partner they can trust. They don’t just build structures; they build confidence through transparency, reliability, and consistent execution. Their experienced team works closely with owners, architects, and trade partners to deliver projects safely, on time, and with the level of quality that their clients expect. When clients work with Schwisow Construction, they know they’re getting a contractor who is invested in their success long after the project is complete.
Schwisow Construction specializes in commercial, manufacturing, and industrial construction. For over 40 years, they have built a strong reputation for quality workmanship, exceptional service, and a deep commitment to the communities we serve across Nebraska and surrounding states.
Schwisow Construction is currently involved in several new and ongoing projects across a variety of industries. Their active work includes work for D&D Refuse, Inland Truck Parts, Omaha Steaks, Klute, and Hope Village. These projects highlight their experience working with both long-standing clients and new partners.
As Commercial Construction companies continue to work together to shape and grow the Lincoln area, its business landscape and electrical infrastructure still remains a crucial part of every construction project. Open since 1932 ABC Electric has provided support for locally businesses. They make sure that every service is carefully designed to keep all operations powered, efficient and safe.
ABC Electric (ABCElectric.net) provides a full range of commercial services that are tailored to the needs of their clients. They provide lighting upgrades, troubleshooting, diagnostics, electrical panel installations and much more. With 24/7 emergency electrical support, they are equipped to respond quickly when unexpected issues threaten to interrupt business operations.
Their experience spans a wide range of commercial properties, including office buildings, retail stores, restaurants, warehouses, light industrial facilities, medical clinics and multi-tenant spaces.
Clients can expect a streamlined, transparent process from start to finish. After an initial intake call, an experienced commercial electrician will provide an on-site evaluation to assess systems and recommend solutions. ABC Electric then provides a clear, itemized estimate. Once work is complete, a final walkthrough ensures everything meets expectations and safety standards of their clients.
As Lincoln continues to expand, ABC Electric remains a trusted partner in commercial construction, delivering practical solutions, proven expertise and the reliability businesses depend on to keep moving forward.
Engineered Controls (EngineeredControls.com) is a trusted premier building control technologies contractor specializing in the design, installation, management and service of advanced building management and security systems. Serving facilities of all sizes and across a wide range of industries, the company delivers integrated control solutions that enhance safety, comfort, operational performance and sustainability.
Engineered Controls is driven by a vision to help transform the way buildings are designed, constructed and operated. Its mission centers on creating environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy spaces for people to live and work. By incorporating cutting-edge automation technologies into project design and actively collaborating throughout the construction process, the company plays a significant role in advancing sustainable building practices across Nebraska and Iowa.
Focused on delivering high quality products and services, Engineered Controls helps clients achieve greater energy efficiency, improved safety and enhanced occupant comfort. Through innovative automation systems, businesses can better manage energy consumption; lower operating costs and improve indoor air quality.
With a steadfast commitment to quality, efficiency and environmental stewardship, Engineered Controls continues to serve as a trusted partner in shaping the fu ture of building management and security systems throughout the region.
Together, companies like Tru-Built Construction, Schwisow Construction, ABC Electric, and Engineered Controls represent the boots-on-the-ground reality of Lincoln’s growth. They’re the teams turning plans into buildings, ideas into operations, and long-term investment into spaces where businesses can thrive. While each company brings a different specialty to the table, they all share one thing in common: they are helping physically shape the future of Lincoln.
That work is happening alongside a larger wave of commercial expansion and economic investment happening across the city. When you zoom out from individual projects and look at the broader market data, the scale of growth happening in Lincoln becomes even more clear. From large-scale technology investments and healthcare expansion to retail development and infrastructure improvements, Lincoln continues to position itself as a community built for long-term, sustainable growth.
If you want to understand how Lincoln is growing, you don’t have to look much further than our skyline, business parks, and expanding commercial corridors. The Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development releases an annual business report that consistently reinforces what many of us working closely with local businesses see every day—Lincoln’s economy is growing, industries are diversifying, and investments remains strong. That kind of growth doesn’t happen in a vacuum. As companies expand, facilities, infrastructure, and commercial spaces must grow right alongside them.
Right now, planned commercial expansion in Lincoln represents a potential $689.1 million in total investment. That includes 13 new facilities and 12 planned renovations or expansions, signaling not just new business attraction, but also reinvestment from companies already rooted in our community. Lincoln isn’t just attracting attention from outside organizations, it’s also supporting the success and growth of the businesses that already call this city home.
Construction activity across Lincoln continues to reflect that momentum. In the last fiscal year alone, the City of Lincoln issued more than 32,000 building permits. That number represents a massive amount of construction activity across residential, infrastructure, and commercial industries. While there isn’t a single published number for completed commercial structures specifically, the permit amount points to sustained, measurable developments that continues to shape the city’s physical and economic landscape.
Some of the most visible commercial growth is happening in large-scale technology and data infrastructure. One of the most notable examples is Google’s 775,000-square-foot data center development, which is expected to be complete in 2025. Projects like this don’t just create construction jobs—they generate long-term operational jobs, vendor partnerships, and supporting infrastructure improvements that ripple throughout the local economy.
Retail and mixed-use commercial development is also expanding, particularly in high-growth areas of the city. North Star Crossing, a 50-acre shopping center development in Northwest Lincoln, has already sold 75% of its land to business retailers as of mid-2025.. At the same time, local development groups are continuing to invest in flexible business space, such as the 10,000-square-foot flex building being constructed by Krueger Development at Yankee Hill Business Center. Additional smaller-scale office and commercial projects are also moving forward, including 12 planned buildings at Highland Office Park near Northwest 1st Street and West Harvest Drive.
Healthcare and industrial construction remain major drivers of commercial growth as well. Bryan Health is investing in a new 140,000-square-foot cancer center, expanding access to specialized care while creating significant construction and healthcare employment opportunities. Industrial capacity is also increasing with Norland International building a new 18,000-square-foot warehouse. Even specialty-use facilities are expanding, such as the 11,000-square-foot Lincoln Lutheran Warrior Wellness Center athletic training facility currently under construction.
Beyond individual commercial projects, the city is continuing to invest in foundational infrastructure. Lincoln had 19 major construction projects planned for summer 2025 alone, reinforcing the city’s long-term strategy of supporting business growth through transportation, utility, and roadway improvements.
Like most markets, Lincoln is not completely immune to broader national commercial real estate trends. Office vacancy rates were approximately 7.6% in mid-2023, reflecting shifts toward hybrid work models and evolving office space needs. Even so, Lincoln’s overall commercial construction pipeline remains strong, with development continuing across healthcare, industrial, retail, technology, and mixed-use sectors.
What makes Lincoln’s growth story unique is its consistency and sustainability. Development here isn’t built on sudden spikes, it’s built on steady investment, strong public-private partnerships, and a business community that continues to choose Lincoln as a place to grow, expand, and innovate. As commercial development continues to move forward, one thing is clear: Lincoln’s future is quite literally being built in real time.