Bryan County Commission Chairman Jimmy Burnsed gave an update on the state of the county Wednesday during the Richmond Hill Exchange Club meeting in the City Center.

Burnsed, who is in his final year as chairman, said housing is growing in the unincorporated parts of Bryan County. In 2014, there were 179 houses built in those areas, and last year saw 252 houses go up.

It’s an especially strong trend, given that the recession of the late 2000s saw about 100 houses built in 2008 after 365 were constructed in 2006 before the recession hit.

“So I think at the end of (2016), unless something happens, we’ll probably build as many houses in the county as we did prior to the recession,” he said. “That’s a pretty strong comeback.”

Burnsed also discussed some major road projects planned to be let out for bid next year. The Interstate 95 interchange project at Belfast Keller Road will go out for bid in March 2017, while the Highway 144 widening project will go out for bid in September 2017.

“Those are two very important projects, which will lead to more growth for our community,” he said.

Burnsed added that bidding for construction of eight to 10 tennis courts in Henderson Park will start next month.

For more, see BryanCountyNews.com and the March 3 edition of the News.