Building Permits Jump in Central Indiana

The new permits resulted in over 15

The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis says single-family building permits increased 5 percent in July. More than 450 permits were issued last month in the nine-county region, compared with more than 430 during the same month last year.

Nearly 3,500 permits have been issued year-to-date, which is a 12 percent increase over the same period in 2015. Steve Lains, chief executive officer of the BAGI, says Hamilton and Hendricks counties had the biggest numbers in the region.

"The counties which are experiencing these development bursts are counties where local municipalities are investing in amenities that residents and businesses want to be near," said Lains. "Cities with developments near amenities like parks, trails, retail shopping and restaurants are attractive to home buyers. We are especially seeing the demand with the millennials and empty-nesters who are becoming a huge factor in our marketplace."

The cities of Indianapolis and Westfield have recorded the most permits year-to-date with nearly 400 and 500, respectively.