Mary Gibbs, director of Lee County Community Development says that during September, her department issuedpermits for 31 single-family homes valued at $8.2 million to be built in unincorporated Lee County, which includes Lehigh Acres.

In comparison, there were 34 permits for single-family homes issued in August and 32 issued in September 2008, she said.

There were four multi-family units permitted in unincorporated Lee County during September, compared to 10 the previous month and six in September 2008.

Permits were issued for nine new commercial buildings valued at $7.7 million in unincorporated Lee County, compared to $1.9 million the previous month. In September 2008, newly permitted commercial buildings were valued at $3.2 million.

Lee County Community Development oversees planning, zoning, development, and building services, environmental review, building inspection and code enforcement for the unincorporated areas of the county.