The economic downturn doesn’t appear to be hurting building activity in South Bruce.
The number of permits being issued is up sharply from last year, and so is the value of what is being built.
Chief Building Official Don Jackson says they have issued 57 building permits so far this year with a construction value of around 3.5 million dollars–almost double the amount from this time last year.
27 of those permits were issued in the month of April alone.
The downturn in the economy has led to a decrease in building permits and new construction activity in most municipalities.
Jackson says the increase in South Bruce is unexpected and unusual, and adds the new construction is a mix of every type of building, including agricultural and residential.
He says dairy farming in the municipality appears to be doing well because some of the building permits issued so far this year are for large, new barns.