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East Ferris’ 2021 building boom

Building permits increased 16.5 per cent over 2020
2021-11-18 Home construction
Construction reaches news highs in East Ferris, and CAO Jason Trottier has reason to believe the surge may continue throughout 2022 / Stock image

This past year East Ferris residents witnessed a veritable building boom as building permits issued increased by 16.5 per cent.

“It’s the highest level of construction activity,” the municipal has seen in a year, explained Jason Trottier, East Ferris’ chief administrative officer.

The permits led to just over $27.5 million spent on construction projects, 167.6 per cent more than last year’s total costs.

“Growth was driven by new residential units and renovations to single family homes,” Trottier said.

However, a few commercial and institutional projects, including the new East Ferris Medical Centre and the municipal office bolstered those numbers.

See: East Ferris breaks ground on new medical centre

The surge in construction and renovation “shows an overwhelming interest to invest and develop in East Ferris,” enthused Mayor Pauline Rochefort.

The increase in permits “is encouraging from an economic point of view” she added, noting each permit means more people are put to work, and more products are purchased.

“The development provides employment and an increase in economic spin-offs for the local and regional economies.”

Furthermore, additional construction “also means much needed homes and community facilities,” Mayor Rochefort said.

Overall, 177 building permits were issued in 2021. Last year the municipality doled out 152.

There were 29 new units added to East Ferris this year whereas last year 20 joined the community.

“It is gratifying to see residents, businesses, and builders continue to invest in East Ferris,” Trottier explained, adding that even with restrictions inflicted by Covid-19, “all municipal staff worked diligently” to get those permits out “to continue supporting development in the community.”

Will this year be filled with the sound of hammers? Perhaps so, as Trottier expects “another busy construction season.”

Within the first week of this new year, Trottier already noticed a request for a building permit “for a new residential home,” so the boom may echo for some time yet.

David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.


David Briggs, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

About the Author: David Briggs, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering civic and diversity issues for BayToday. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada
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