Building permits in Minto are down substantially over this time last year – but the town is not alone.
In May 2008, council issued 28 building permits valued at $1.9-million, compared to the 17 in May 2009, with a construction value of only $787,000.
The same holds true for year-to-date number of permits. In 2008, 69 permits (valued at $5.4-million) were issued. This year only 49 permits (valued at $3.1-million) were issued.
Mayor David Anderson noted the issue came up at a recent administration, finance, and personnel committee meeting at the county.
“It looks like with Wellington County, building permits are down roughly 25%,” Anderson said.
However, he’s currently seeing a lot of building now going on in Minto, and said July and August are often big months for activity.
“But right now, this seems to be the average. With the economy picking up, hopefully next years numbers will improve,” Anderson said. “The numbers at the end of December should be interesting.”
Better than expected
MAPLETON TWP. – Most signs seem to be pointing to a healthy local economy, despite the current recession. Last month, Finance Director Mike Givens noted the economic downturn has had little effect on taxes owing in the township. And a report earlier this month from Chief Building Official Jim Baker indicated things seem to be picking up after a relatively slow winter to start the year.
“It’s going better than what we might have anticipated,” Mayor John Green said June 9, after reviewing Baker’s report.
In May the there was over $1.91-million worth of construction in the township on 27 different projects that generated $17,105 in permit fees. As of the end of May, 100 permits were issued in the township – not a huge difference from the 115 issued over the same period in 2008.
And on Tuesday afternoon Baker noted there are “a lot of applications coming in” for building permits.
