In 2009, the rate of commercial construction in the metropolitan Washington region reached its next-to-lowest point in nearly 30 years according to a new report released by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) this week.

COG started collecting regional data on commercial construction in 1980 and the total amount of construction in 2009 – 15.5 million square feet – was the second smallest on record (1993 saw the lowest rate at 12.3 million square feet). To read/download the report, click here.

At the July meeting of its Board of Directors, COG also released its annual Economic Trends report, showcasing data and analysis of a range of factors related to the region’s economic performance from 2005-2009, including income, employment, housing, retail sales, population, federal spending, and construction. To read/download the report, click here.