2026 ACECNJ Fall Conference

The rapid expansion of AI infrastructure is driving one of the largest capital buildouts in modern history, and the federal government has put incentives, programs, and subsidies in place to ensure the United States continues to lead on AI. ACEC NJ members are at the center of this work, but most are significantly underutilizing these programs meant to subsidize the work they are already doing in this space. Programs such as Section 41, Section 48, advanced manufacturing incentives like Sections 48C and 48X, energy infrastructure credits Section 48A energy efficient building deduction 179D, and production credits Section 45 are all highly relevant to data center and AI infrastructure projects. When combined with state and local incentives—such as hiring credits, abatements, and location-based subsidies, the financial impact can materially improve project economics and firm profitability. However, these programs are complex and require a deep understanding of both engineering workflows and tax policy. Firms that rely on generalist advisors often miss substantial value because their work is not properly identified, documented, or positioned. For ACEC NJ members these programs can represent six, seven, or eight figures in funds when claiming multiple benefits

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify federal, state, and local incentive programs available for AI infrastructure, data center, energy, and advanced manufacturing projects, including the tax credits and deductions most relevant to engineering firms.
2. Recognize qualifying engineering and design activities that can generate substantial tax credits, deductions, and incentives, and understand why these opportunities are frequently misse
3. Assess opportunities within their own project portfolios to capture available incentives and improve project economics, client value, and firm profitability.

Audience:
This session is designed for owners and executives for engineering, architecture, and consulting firms, particularly ACEC NJ members—working on AI infrastructure, data centers, energy, and advanced manufacturing projects. It addresses the challenge of underutilized federal, state, and local tax incentives that can significantly improve project profitability and economics when properly identified and claimed. Key themes include AI infrastructure, tax credits, government incentives, R&D credits, energy incentives, strategic tax planning, project profitability, and engineering-driven growth.