AB Economic Fundamentals 2008-08

[joeiannuzzi]

Head south for country in the city

This coming week thousands will be driving out into the deep southwest to take in the world-class Masters show jumping competition at Spruce Meadows. Over the years, I have had the privilege of attending many such exciting and well-run events there.

It`s a long way from Edgemont to Spruce Meadows Trail, but well worth the journey we take down Crowchild, Glenmore, 14th Street, and Anderson Road to 37th Street to arrive driving east into the well-groomed facility.

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/l...bf-43ae148d0383

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Building permits decline for multi-family housing

After peaking in March compared to the same month last year, multi-family housing construction has been declining, says Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.

Now comes word from the City of Calgary that the number of building permits have also shown a marked moderation and are at a more sustainable level.

"Applications for single-family home permits have been below last year`s figures since the first quarter -- and now we are seeing some moderating with applications for multi-family residential units as well," says David Watson, city general manager of planning, development and assessment.

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/n...5a-980a7b6a0d91

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Royalties put Alberta`s economics behind B.C.

In a stark assessment of the impact of Alberta`s pending royalty changes, a Calgary investment bank concludes that dollars spent on certain developments in the rich Montney shale gas formation in Alberta will deliver one-quarter less value for the owner than an identical investment just across the B.C. border.

The bleak report from Peters & Co. arrives with just four months until the Jan. 1 implementation of Alberta`s higher royalty regime.

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/c...b1-5c98ea8878b3

 

[joeiannuzzi]

New neighbourhood construction starts

A new neighbourhood near walking trails and Piper Creek in south Red Deer is under construction.

Melcor Developments has begun developing SouthBrook, a subdivision located east of Bower and west of Inglewood. It is one of the last undeveloped quarters on the city`s south side.

Red Deer region Melcor vice-president Guy Pelletier said servicing is underway on land directly west of 40th Avenue and north of Living Stones Church.

http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradv...ion_starts.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Balzac riding high on prairie tiger

More than five years ago, a special report by TD Economics identified the Calgary-Edmonton corridor as an economic "tiger" and the envy of many other regions.

It`s a geographic strip along the Queen Elizabeth 2 Highway that has been able to create a buzz "that other urban areas around the continent can only aspire to."

Explosive economic growth and population increases placed the corridor as the only urban region in Canada to rival U.S. metropolitan areas in terms of both productivity and standard of living, said TD Economics.

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/s...3c-56a3ce3a57b2

 

[joeiannuzzi]

N.W. rec centre a step closer

Concerned about overcrowded recreational facilities, residents and community associations from 10 of Calgary`s northwest neighbourhoods are coming together to lay the framework for a new rec centre.

Last November, the City of Calgary approved $70 million in funding for a new community centre in the northwest, and although there has been potential for competing groups to come forward, the Calgary Northwest Recreation Centre Society has been the only one thus far planning for the project.

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/s...0b-2665b898aa42