Business

In 2015, the county continued its 3-year trend in increasing home sales, with increases in both home sales and residential building permits.

Last year, the number of people building homes increased 30 percent, home sales were up 17 percent, and the average selling price increased 7 percent.

Those numbers follow a steady trend of improvement over the last few years.

Construction begins today on a development that's being touted as the only one of its kind in Shelby County.

Located in Mulberry Heights subdivision next to Kroger on Boone Station Road, Breas Crossing will consist of 44 patio homes and is the only development in the county targeted for seniors only, said Shelby County Judge Executive Rob Rothenburger, who has championed the project because of its affordability for older people, he said.

After more than a dozen years of operating Hilltop Produce and Garden Center, owners Gerald and Sandra Stucker say they are ready to sell the business to focus on enjoying the fruits of their labor.

The couple of 33 years said they have owned and operated the local produce store at 305 Frankfort Road for 13 of those years because they “needed something to do.”

There’s been a boom in the beekeeping business and Pat Hornback, a veteran in the field, said the peaked interest is a good thing.

“One-third of our food is dependent on pollination,” she said, noting that pollinators need to be protected.  “We’re happy about the hype.  It brought beekeeping to the forefront and people are trying it.”