Building numbers up slightly

The housing market brightened slightly last month.

There were seven new home starts in the county, up from six in August 2006, according to the most recent report issued by the Home Builders Association of Cherokee County.

The value of the new homes was higher, too. The average value of home starts in August 2007 was $122,000 - up from $107,000 August 2006.

The city had two new homes starts in August, one more than the same month a year ago.

The Peach Plaza, valued at $600,000, was the largest commercial permit in the city last month.

The new $5.57 million Bericap plant was the largest commercial permit issued by the county in August.