Although new home sites are still popping up throughout the county, the total value of building permits issued in the county last month dropped by nearly 21 percent, compared to Sept. 1997.

Last month, the county issued 221 permits valued at $12.86 million. A year ago, the county issued 226 permits valued at $16.18 million. While the total number dropped, residential and commercial permits continued their frantic pace. The county issued 95 home permits last month valued at $9.64 million, compared to 86 permits in Sept. 1997 valued at $8.23 million.

On the commercial side of the ledger, 24 commercial permits valued at $2.20 million were issued last month, while only 14 permits valued at $285,600 were recorded one year ago.

The commercial activity throughout the county and Newnan is booming, with new shopping centers under way near Interstate 85. Work has begun on a shopping center, anchored by Home Depot, where the old Peachtree Factory Stores were located on Ga. Highway 34 east.

Other permits issued last month include:

· Accessory buildings- 28 valued at $89,900.

· Electrical- 18 permits valued at $27,300.