Considering the economic downturn last year — 2009 was a pretty decent year for construction activity in Owen Sound.
December figures were way up over the same month last year with 57 permits issued valued at 3.8 million dollars compared to just half a million in December of 2008.
Development Coordinator Sandi Parks says that has a lot to do with the development charges rebate in place last year.
Of the 23 residential permits issued in December — 22 of them came on the last day of the year to developers eager to take advantage of the rebate program if construction is complete within a year.
Year to date figures aren’t too far off from last year.
Parks says they issued a total of 470 building permits in 2009 — just ten shy of the previous year — with a value of close to 24 million dollars.
That is down only 4 million from 2008.
She says the city’s engineering department is currently doing a study on development charges in order to come up with a new bylaw by the end of March.
She says until then, Council will keep the 2009 rate in place.
Parks says the city also saw a lot of renovation work last year — thanks in part to federal programs such as the Home Renovation tax credit and the Eco Energy retro fit program.