State and local governments, through their individual permitting and regulatory processes, play a critical role in the size, scope, and cost of all types of commercial real estate projects, from new development to the restoration of existing commercial buildings and warehouses. With 50 states and more than 89,000 local units of government in the U.S., the permitting and regulatory structure can be complicated, unpredictable, inconsistent, and/or bureaucratic, depending on the local jurisdiction.

The “2013 State of the Real Estate Industry” luncheon and briefing held on July 17 — organized by NAIOP and hosted by the National Real Estate Organizations (NREO) — brought together trade associations, industry consultants, and nearly 100 congressional staffers to focus on the impact of real estate as a driver in economic growth.