Santa Rosa County District 4 Commissioner Rob Williamson during Wednesday’s Navarre Area Board of Realtors annual awards banquet announced new housing numbers which were well received by the audience.
According to Williamson, the county’s annual report, which will be released December 12, shows nearly 5,000 residential construction permits were issued in 2016.
Residential building permits had plummeted from around 3,300 in 2004 to less than 1,000 annually — before starting to increase again in 2013. In 2015 around 2,000 were issued.
Residential and commercial structure construction, which includes townhouses and condominiums, in 2016 totaled almost $330 million – the highest number since 2005.
Outgoing 2017 NABOR President Mark Miller during his remarks pointed out the contrast of the rebounding local economy.
“It is no secret that some 10 years ago, NABOR wasn’t enjoying the success it does today. We literally had to batten down the hatches and make some tough choices,” Miller said, pointing out that NABOR members rallied together to volunteer when they were unable to give financially.
Williamson has praised the efforts of NABOR Executive Angela Campbell, along with past and present members of its board of directors, for aiding the organization and area’s economic recovery.
Per Williamson, the area is on the cusp of experiencing growth “like no one has ever seen before.”
