Building Permits Show Growth

By Joe King, king@seymourherald.com

This building being constructed in Seymour on Maryville Hwy is a sign of local economic growth. (The Herald/ Joe King)

One telltale sign of a sluggish economy is a lack of new building permits, but Sevier County has had their fair share of construction applicants in the past year.

With a total of 292 new building permits filed in 2012, Sevier County is on the road to a promising future despite the stalled economy.

“In 2012 there were 124 new home permits issued,” said Sevier County Building Official Chris Jenkins. “During this same time other residential permits have steadily increased. These permits include garages and remodeling. Within our remodeling permits are homes that may have been left unfinished due to the economy downturn.”