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While architecture billings only increased slightly in March throughout the United States, project inquiries rose largely for a second straight month.

According , the nonprofit’s Architecture Billings Index ended March at 50.5. Anything above a 50 shows an increase in billings, as reported by architects across the country, from the month previous. February’s ABI was 50.6.

Regionally, the Midwest and Northeast fared much better than anywhere else. The Midwest recorded a 53.5, continuing to lead the way in recovery after posting a 55.3 in February. The Northeast (51.4) and West (50.6) also saw increases in billings from a month previous. The South, conversely, saw a slight drop, finishing March at 49.7.

Architecture billings improved the most in commercial/industrial work, ending the month at 54.7. Multi-family residential also saw a slight increase at 50.8.

But while things remain steady on the billing front, project inquiries are surging. The project inquiries index, which is a measurement similar to the ABI, ended March at 58.7. This follows strong recordings in the previous two months as well.