THE local home construction sector is booming.

Home builders filed for more than 100 permits for new homes in Bartholomew County through the first five months of the year. That’s about double the number of permits filed in the same period of the past two years combined.

In March, the Bartholomew County Code Enforcement office issued 38 permits for new home construction, the highest number in a single month in at least three years.

Andrew Skaggs, vice president of Skaggs Builders Inc., said 2009 and 2010 were “pretty tough” for his company but that he has started seeing more demand.

“Last year was a good volume year, and this year it’s carried on through,” Skaggs said.

Skaggs Builders Inc. constructs an average of 20 to 25 homes per year in Bartholomew, Jackson and Jennings counties.

The company, which has 17 employees including office staff, added some employees last year but has not hired any more this year, Skaggs said.

Think your friends should see this? Share it with them!