The Municipality of Grey Highlands had another strong year for construction activity in 2024.
At a recent meeting, council received and reviewed the year end report from the building department. Although the report showed that construction numbers in the municipality were down somewhat in 2024 over 2023, Grey Highlands still had a robust year for building activity.
In 2024, Grey Highlands issued a total of 475 building permits for a total construction value of $75,253,103.60. In 2023, the municipality issued a total of 471 permits for a total value of $86,163,265.
“It is down, but for overall value, we seem to be holding our own,” Mayor Paul McQueen said when council took a look at the numbers.
The mayor said Markdale continues to be a driver on building activity in the municipality with several large housing developments currently under construction.
Karen Holt, the municipality’s chief building official, said 2024 was a very busy year for construction in Grey Highlands. Holt noted that although the overall value was down in 2024, it was still busy and that the 2023 numbers were inflated by the construction of the new Beavercrest Community School in Markdale. That project was reflected in the 2023 numbers and was valued at more than $9 million.
“We’ve been doing very well,” Holt told council.
Grey Highlands saw the number of new homes built in the municipality increase in 2024. The municipality issued permits for 36 new townhomes and 66 new detached homes for a total of 102. In 2023, Grey Highlands saw 11 new townhomes and 72 new detached homes for a total of 83.
In the agricultural section of the report, Grey Highlands had a very strong year in 2024. The municipality issued 35 permits for new agricultural buildings that were valued at $6,314,756, there were five new C4 (On Farm Diversified Use) shops built with $5,725,000 and 20 agricultural additions worth $1,219,500.
In 2024, Grey Highlands collected $539,847.28 in building fees, compared to $614,091.91 in 2023.