The value of building construction in Minto to the end of August was nearly double the amount at the same point in 2016.
Year-to-date figures presented by chief building official Terry Kuipers in a report to council on Sept. 19 indicated the town has issued 159 building permits for construction valued at nearly $22 million. To the end of August last year, 150 permits valued at about $11.8 million were issued.
August permit numbers were down from 2016, with 24 permits issued for construction valued at just over $1.6 million. In 2016 a total of 28 permits were issued, valued at about $1.8 million.
August figures were up from the previous month, as only 14 permits for construction valued at about $1.9 million were issued in July. In July of 2016, the town issued 30 permits for construction worth about $1.7 million.
The lower figures in July were not unexpected, Kuipers told council.
“This was not a surprise to me whatsoever. The contractors out there were so busy actually building stuff that they didn’t need to come in and apply for permits,” said Kuipers. “We weren’t sitting around, we were out doing inspections.”
Kuipers said July’s highlights include three new single family dwellings, and one new industrial building in the Palmerston Industrial Park.
In August, permits were issued for three new single-family dwellings and two new industrial buildings, both in Harriston.
In his report, Kuipers noted the 2017 year-to-date construction value of nearly $22 million is well ahead of the 10-year average of $12 million.
Single family dwellings make up the largest share of the construction value figure, with 22 permits issued for almost $6.6 million worth of construction. Multiple family dwellings, with 10 permits issued for construction valued at about $5.8 million, are the next largest sector, followed by agricultural construction at $4.2 million on 23 permits and industrial construction at $2.6 million on 132 permits.
While “cracking the $20-million mark” at this point in the year was “a bonus,” Kuipers said he expected the trend to continue into the fall.
