North Carolina’s infrastructure is feeling the strain—and that matters for building owners and business owners.

Feb 4, 2026 | News

ASCE’s 2026 NC Infrastructure Report Card gives the state a C- as population growth and extreme weather outpace capacity and funding.

  • Why this matters to real estate:
  • Access & logistics: 37% of roads rated poor/fair; 6.8% of bridges structurally deficient
  • Utilities risk: $20B needed for drinking water, $12.6B for wastewater upgrades
  • Growth pressure: Airport traffic up ~20% since 2021, straining hubs like RDU
  • Resilience: Storm impacts affect insurance, due diligence, and long-term value
  • Public funding: $12.3B invested statewide—helpful, but gaps remain

Infrastructure quality increasingly influences site selection, operating costs, tenant decisions, and asset value.

Dylan Cunningham

J Dylan Cunningham, CCIM is the founder of Oak Street Commercial Real Estate, LLC, a firm located in Apex, NC on a mission to help business owners and commercial real estate owners create long-term strategies that align with their objectives through real estate.

We believe in going beyond the transaction, taking a deep look at where you want to be in five, ten or even twenty years from now—and how we can help you get there with thoughtful, strategic decisions today.