Construction uptick

Despite the national news that growth in the second quarter of this year was a dismal 1.5 percent -- down from 2 percent in the first quarter and 4 percent in the fourth quarter of last year -- there is some good news locally.

The Southeast Missourian reported last week that building permits issued in Cape Girardeau and Jackson are up during the first half of this year.

In Jackson 33 building permits have been issued for new single-family homes. These are valued at about $6.9 million. In comparison, a total of 38 new homes were built in Jackson during all of last year.

In Cape Girardeau 25 single-family homes have been started, valued at $4.3 million. This figure is up slightly as compared with this time last year.

Multifamily developments in Cape Girardeau and Jackson have also seen an uptick. Five permits have been issued in Cape Girardeau totaling $1,397,000. In Jackson four permits have been issued, valued at $1,538,367. Two apartment complexes are also under construction in Cape Girardeau valued at $2,670,000. At this time last year there were no new apartments under construction.

Cape Girardeau's commercial construction totaled $7.3 million during the first half of the year, while Jackson's new commercial developments are at $2,304,686.

Real estate professionals attribute low interest rates in part to the uptick in new housing. For homebuyers there's also the benefit of custom building your home.

It's good to see the new construction in homes and commercial developments. These projects provide jobs and otherwise positively affect our local economy.

While the national financial picture is uncertain, we hope these local developments are the beginning of good things to come for our communities.