Since housing activity is a key economic gauge, officials hope Fort Wayne is galloping up the comeback trail.

The Home Builders Association of Fort Wayne on Monday reported the number of residential house construction permits in Allen County increased 21.7 percent to 839 last year. In 2012, 689 building requests were submitted, resulting in just a 1.3 percent year-over-year increase.

The Home Builders Association also reported a spike in the average home construction cost, increasing from $226,051 to $227,492 in 2013.

Lonnie Norris, vice president of sales and marketing for Granite Ridge Builders, was aware of the county’s good showing last year. The company recorded about $60 million in sales, up 20 percent from 2012.

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