Building Boom Hits Calaveras County

Calaveras County´s reasonably priced land and low interest rates are fueling a boom in new-home construction.

The county had to hire a sixth building inspector to deal with the backlog of new plans.

The building climate isn´t hot only in the Mother Lode. San Joaquin County has experienced a record boom as Bay Area employees look further afield for more-affordable housing. But builders say they´ve never seen it hopping in Calaveras like it is now, particularly around Burson, Valley Springs and Copperopolis.

The building statistics go hand in hand with the U.S. Census Bureau´s recently reported that Calaveras was the state´s sixth fastest-growing county from April 1, 2000 through July 1.

The growth might be good for contractors and other businesses, but some longtime residents find it hard to take.