Permits for both commercial and industrial construction declined in January. This gain was due to proposed new school construction. The non-residential sector as a whole has shown an upward trend since October 1996 and this pattern seems likely to continue, given the high levels of private and public investment planned for 1998, according to the Private and Public Investment Survey. The January 1998 issue of Building permits will be released in March 1998. The February 1998 building permits estimate will be released on April 6, 1998.
All prices exclude sales tax.