Last year was a slow one for residential construction in Cherokee County, but 2010 is expected to be a better year, according to industry experts.

There were 25 single-family housing permits issued throughout the county in December, down from 32 issued in November and equal to the number issued in December of 2008.

There were 530 permits issued all of last year, down significantly from 928 issued through the year 2008.

Mike Shina of Windsong Properties, president of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association Cherokee Chapter, said the new year brings more opportunities for builders.

"For the guys that are still standing, it will be a better year than last," he said. "There is definitely a short supply of new homes."

Shina said the market has changed from buyers looking for big houses a few years ago to buyers today now being more concerned with value.

"Anybody still in business has reset their prices to reflect the new economy," he said.

Rick Porter of Porter Development in Woodstock said confidence in the economy and availability of money for builders has kept the number of new housing starts low.

"There is not one builder I know that can get a loan," he said.

The county building department, which covers unincorporated Cherokee as well as the city of Waleska, issued 17 permits last month, slightly up from 16 in November and from nine in December 2008. The county approved 275 permits last year, down from 521 in 2008.

Woodstock granted four permits last month, down from 14 in November and six in December of 2008. The city issued 87 single-family permits last year, down from 113 in 2008.

Canton issued just one permit last month, a drop from two in November and eight in December 2008. There were 67 permits granted by the city last year, down from 132 in 2008.

Holly Springs approved three permits last month, up from none in November and two in December of 2008. The city gave out 75 permits last year, down from 139 in 2008.

Ball Ground did not issue any permits in December or November, nor any in December 2008.

City Manager Eric Wilmarth said he doesn't think builders working in Ball Ground will be active for some time.

"We are not anticipating any for the next couple of months," he said. "If we get anything, it will be a real nice surprise."

Nelson did not issue any single-family permits in the county in 2009 or 2008.