Summary

After decades of strong growth fueled by the federal government, data in recent years shows a significant economic slowdown in metropolitan Washington. To respond to this challenge, area leaders at the Council of Governments made economic competitiveness their focus in 2015 and conducted a comprehensive assessment of the region’s economy. The 2016 State of the Region: Economic Competitiveness Report looks at a wide range of indicators measuring the region’s economic climate as well as its built and human infrastructure and quality of life.