The Planning Manager for Hanover says he expects construction records will be broken this year in his municipality.

2020 ended up being a record setting year for building permits in the RM of Hanover. Yet, Jeremy Neufeld says when you compare 2021 to 2020, there really is no comparison.

From January 1st to June 30th of this year, Hanover issued 266 total building permits, worth $40.3 million. That is way up from the same period a year ago when 179 permits were issued, worth $32.5 million. In fact, Hanover issued 409 total permits in all of 2020.

"I anticipate we're going to see some records falling," predicts Neufeld.

He notes the permits this year are generally for anything that improves one's property. In some cases that is a house addition or renovation, but it also includes deck and pool permits.

"I'm sure if anybody has gone to the store to try to buy a swimming pool, they will know how tough it is to get those this year," says Neufeld. "Even decking materials, as well the difficulties of getting that."

He notes people have been taking time to improve their properties, which is exciting to see those investment dollars staying local as residents enhance their quality of life.

Meanwhile, in terms of residential construction, those numbers are also up from the same time a year ago. Through six months this year, there were 72 permits for $22 million, compared to 61 permits in 2020 for $15.7 million.

Neufeld says there has been a shift in which community is leading the way in new housing starts. Last year it was Kleefeld, this year it is Blumenort. There have been 24 permits taken out in Blumenort, 13 in Kleefeld, six in Mitchell, one in New Bothwell and then 28 in the rural area.

"I think the story for Kleefeld will be very different in the second half," predicts Neufeld. "They are out of lots at the moment."

Neufeld says there is a development in Kleefeld that they are on the cusp of being ready to issue building permits for. The same holds true for New Bothwell, where there is a large development that is nearly ready to go. In Grunthal, where housing activity has been slow in recent years, Neufeld says there is a lack of available lots. However, the municipality is working with a developer there and Neufeld says there is a large development project that could be ready for 2022.