As published in The Erin Advocate
The value of new construction declined by 22% last year in the Town of Erin, according to a report to Council from the Chief Building Official, with only 3% of permits for industrial or commercial projects.
“Overall, 2013 building permits were down compared to 2012,” said Andrew Hartholt. Total construction value was about $22 million, down from $28.3 million in 2012.
A total of 1,174 inspections were done, with 204 permits processed, compared to 267 in 2012. There were 24 permits for new houses (43 were issued in 2012), and 51 permits were for work on septic systems.
Residential construction represented 61% of permits in 2013, septic systems 28%, farm projects 5%, government buildings 3% and industrial/commercial 3%.
Annual spending on housing starts had been gradually increasing since 2009, to a high point of $22 million in 2012, before declining to $13.5 million in 2013.
The spending on farm projects last year was $3.4 million, while industrial/commercial was $1.25 million and institutional/government was $4 million.
