New home starts up in city, down in county last year

GAINESVILLE - New home starts in Hall County were down by a almost 200 units last year, while the City of Gainesville recorded an increase.

Gainesville-Hall County Building Inspection Services reports that the number of permits issued for new, single-family homes in unincorporated parts of the county in 2004 declined by 173 - from 1,228 to 1,055.

In the city, 181 permits were okayed for such construction - an increase of 44 over 137 in 2003.