Economic Conditions Trend Up

Business conditions are generally trending positively in all regions of the country, according to Kermit Baker, AIA chief economist. Firms in the South and Midwest are reporting relatively healthy growth in billings relative to the fourth quarter of last year.

Firms in the West reported stable billings from the fourth quarter of 2010, leaving residential architects in only the Northeast with first quarter declines. Again, it is too early to tell how much of this improvement may be just a seasonal bump, but trends in billings have been positive for most regions over the past year.

- Courtesy of AIA