Midwestern design firms are coming off a strong 2025, but they remain cautious as they monitor tariffs, increasing costs and other economic uncertainties that could cloud prospects for 2026 and the years ahead. ENR Midwest’s 2026 Top Design Firms ranking garnered submittals from 105 firms. Total revenue was $11.24 billion for 2025, compared with $10.62 billion from 120 firms in the prior year. Firms say the AEC industry across the Midwest is being driven by a combination of public infrastructure investment, private-sector expansion and evolving project delivery methods. But challenges such as rising costs and higher interest rates persist, prompting firms to adapt with new strategies to maintain growth and meet demand. Indianapolis-based American Structurepoint had a good year across its operations, highlighting both the resilience of the public infrastructure sector and the increasing complexity of modern construction and design work, says Steve Davidson, chief strategy officer.…