Building is booming in Wayne
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on July 7, 2006 1:52 PM
By BONNIE EDWARDS
News-Argus Staff Writer
Building construction in Wayne County is booming, and county building inspector Steve Stroud said this week he expects the pace to continue through the end of the year.
Builders obtained permits for $38.5 million in residential and commercial construction permits during the first six months of 2006.
"I think this is going to be a banner year for us," Stroud said.
The county Building Inspections Department issued 255 permits for new homes during that period, along with 56 permits for commercial structures. Residential construction was estimated at $32 million, about $4 million more than during the same period last year. Commercial permits totaled $2.9 million -- an increase of nearly $1 million over the first six months of 2005.
Building construction in Wayne totaled $77.9 million in 2005.
Most construction in the county is residential or residential related, Stroud said, but he added that he expects commercial development in Wayne to grow in the near future.
"We have reviewed plans for a couple of large projects in Mount Olive," Stroud said, although he said he could not name the companies involved until the permit applications hit his desk.
The county is handling permits for the town until the town's new inspector receives his certification.
Rumors about a Wal-Mart store opening at a site northwest of town have swirled for months and the company has said it would like to put a store in the area, but no official announcement has been made.
Home construction has been booming in the county for the past several years, Stroud said.
The number of permits being sought for erecting mobile homes has also skyrocketed. He said in the first six months this year he issued 283 mobile home permits.
Stroud said a lot of the residential construction is being done by people already living in the county who want newer homes. But he said highway expansion plans and industrial recruitment should pay off in coming years, with more people moving to Wayne.
"Once we get the new U.S. 70 bypass, it will help us a lot," he said. "I think the roads and transportation have held us back a long time."