America's Growth Leaders of 2027
Data center demand and critical mineral needs boost performance for firms like Comfort Systems USA, Howmet, and Idaho Strategic Resources.
Quick Look
The AI boom is fueling significant growth for infrastructure firms like Comfort Systems USA, Howmet, and Argan, while driving a mining renaissance in the U.S. to supply critical minerals for data centers and grid technology.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Trump Administration launched a domestic critical minerals stockpile under Project Vault in 2026. Data center expansion is driving increased demand for specialized mechanical and energy services.
Comfort Systems USA (no. 2), which provides mechanical, electrical, and HVAC services for commercial properties, has seen the data center portion of its business drive growth significantly in recent years. “Advanced technology, dominated by data center work, increased to 56% of our revenue, and advanced technology remains the largest driver of pipeline and backlog,” COO Trent McKenna said in an earnings call in April. Comfort Systems has especially benefitted from having established businesses in Tier 2 cities where data centers tend to be built. In July, the company reported a 50% increase in revenue compared to the same quarter last year. It’s not the only company providing essential parts for data centers; Howmet (no. 6), known for making engine parts for planes, has been experiencing growing demand for making blades and vanes for the gas turbines used in data centers as a result of the AI boom. Energy infrastructure provider Argan (no. 5) has also capitalized on the AI wave by providing power services as well as solutions for energy storage to data center projects.
The growing demands of AI are also helping fuel a mining renaissance in America, to supply the critical minerals needed in AI data centers, for batteries and grid technology, and more. Earlier in 2026, the Trump Administration announced that it was launching a domestic critical minerals stockpile as a part of Project Vault. Idaho Strategic Resources (no. 3), was one mineral mining and exploration company whose stocks saw a bump as a result of the news. Idaho is abundant in critical minerals like antimony, a mineral used in defense manufacturing for bullets, flame retardants, night vision goggles as well as consumer electronics, wind turbines, solar panels and more.
Open Questions
- What is the total capacity of the new critical minerals stockpile?
- How will the mining renaissance impact local environmental regulations?
