January 17,2014
Tulare County officials say the number of building permits for both
single family homes and commercial buildings increased in 2013.
County records show 3,363 building permits were issued in 2013 – up from the 3,023 issued in 2012.
*The value of county building permits issued in 2013 increased by $40
million over the value of permits issued during 2012,” said Phil Cox,
Chairman of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. “This is one sign
the economy is improving in the area.”
Officials say the value of all building permits issued in 2013
increased approximately 32 % – to an estimated overall valuation of
$166.3 million. Permits issued for houses increased by 23% while
commercial building permits increased by 20%.
What*s changed? Two years ago the Board of Supervisors established an
in house economic development program to foster value growth. Challenged
to make the county easier to do business with, planning administrators
developed a team-based approach toward business development. For
example, if someone wanted to fast-track construction of a medical
clinic, or expand a large ag processing facility on an aggressive
timeline, the county developed a “new” team-based process to
accommodate that developer*s needs.
“We have streamlined the process to improve service to our
customers,” said Mike Spata, Associate Director of the Tulare County
Resource Management Agency.
The planning team works with the business owner or project applicant to
determine several important details, such as project timeline and how
much should the process cost?
Ag Projects Top List
Officials say the increase in business activity and total number of
projects permitted during the last two years indicates that in addition
to signs the overall economy is finally improving, the new County*s
new economic development approach appears to be working nicely. In 2013
alone: Setton Farms pulled more than $2 million-worth of permits for
plant expansions; Paramount Citrus expanded greenhouse facilities – $2
million in permits; Family Health Care Network*s new rural medical
clinic in Terra Bella – $750,000 permit value; Ventura Coastal $1.6
million * installation of new silos to store citrus juice in Tipton.