It's definitely a coincidence but I couldn't help but notice that the recent raft of upbeat data points about GDP growth, inflation, consumer sentiment and more arrived just as I was exploring the idea (illustrated by the stories below) that we're hearing more these days about long-term investments — be it in equipment, workforce, infrastructure or elsewhere. Leaders have moved past primarily putting out short-term fires and, catalyzed by federal stimulus, are putting capital to work to grow the economy's productive capacity.

One notable data point on the policy-driven manufacturing, energy and infrastructure capex boom: The economics team at RSM thinks those investments won't peak for another 30 months. There's still plenty of time to prepare to piggyback.

– Geert De Lombaerde