City to offer incentives for new home construction

PASCAGOULA — The City of Pascagoula will waive up to $5,000 in permit and utility connection fees for some new home construction.

The Mississippi Press reports city council members hope to spur homebuilding.

“I’m excited about the ordinance (that waives the fees),” City Manager Joe Huffman said. “I think it’s a real opportunity to make a difference and create investment in this community.”

Huffman said while the ordinance is designed to spur residential development in neighborhoods that have seen little construction activity since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the waivers are good for the 2012 calendar year.

The offer goes to those who build a $150,000 home within the city limits.

Huffman said people expanding existing property would not be eligible.

He said the exemptions are forfeited if an applicant fails to start construction within 90 days of a permit being granted, or fails to complete construction within 24 months of a permit being granted.

Huffman said according to 2010 Census, Pascagoula lost 3,800 residents. He said much of that loss is because of the high construction costs and, particularly, high insurance costs after the storm.