Saskatchewan Economic Fundamentals

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Potash One increases holdings in Sask.

Vancouver-based Potash One Inc. has expanded its potash permit holdings around its Legacy project in southern Saskatchewan, the company announced Thursday.

The new permits cover 96,760 hectares around the Legacy site, which sits north of Moose Jaw and west of Regina. According to a Potash One news release, the new land acquisitions and the existing project almost completely surround The Mosaic Company`s Belle Plaine mining lease, one of the largest producing potash solution mines in the world.

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...13-d9caf356cddf

 

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Developer unveils plans for housing, business development

Residents in east Regina got an opportunity Thursday to learn about the Kanosis Business Development Corporation`s plans for residential and commercial development in their area.

If Kanosis receives approval from city council, its plan is to develop the 28 acres for commercial and multi-family residential -- such as condos, apartments or townhouses -- purposes. This is commercial residential, not social housing.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...42-46bd1be99d0d

 

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City readies itself for a tax hike

Regina residents may be feeling the hurt in their wallets today after they learn how much more they could be paying for property taxes.

Mayor Pat Fiacco and City Manager Glen Davies will release the proposed 2008 operating budget for the City of Regina this morning, along with the proposed 2008-12 capital budget. The proposed budget must still be submitted to city council.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...d3-da57152dee84

 

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Province seeks federal funding for twinning project

REGINA -- The Saskatchewan Party government`s big push on highway and infrastructure spending won`t necessarily speed up the twinning of Highway 11 between Prince Albert and Saskatoon.

But Highways Minister Wayne Elhard held out hope Friday that a couple of factors could potentially hasten the project.

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...6b-4cfdee46c939

 

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Transit systems in Regina to get $6-million upgrade

REGINA -- Transit systems in Regina will be getting a $6-million upgrade thanks to federal funding.

"The money is certainly welcome. It reduces the burden on the local municipality because it provides us with some much-needed funding," said David Onodera, director of transit for the City of Regina.

The federal government announced $14.9 million in funding for Saskatchewan public transit on Thursday. The money is part of the $500 million that the federal government allocated for the public transit capital trust in the 2008 budget.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...48c&k=84289

 

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Property on notice

An outspoken Regina businessman is continuing to warn about the danger that serious environmental problems might exist on property in northeast Regina where an Imperial Oil refinery used to operate.

Clint Kimery, the president of Gunner Ltd., said there are reasons to believe the old Imperial Oil refinery site, at Winnipeg Street and 1st Avenue, was not fully cleaned up -- at least not to modern standards -- when the refinery was closed in 1975.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...e4-8bc1f69f5f4d

 

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McNab Park changes hands

An unnamed Calgary investment group is taking up the challenge of converting an orphaned housing development near the airport into a profitable business park.

Less than a month after saying McNab Park wasn`t for sale as it was in 2007, Gil Dobroskay of Guardian Commercial Real Estate said a brand new deal was concluded this month which he said could move a conceptual plan drawn up for a 50-acre mix of office space and hotels closer to reality.

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...38-923fe9dcb16d

 

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Reginans say they like their bankers

Could it be that bankers in Regina are nicer and more approachable people than bankers in the rest of Canada?

It is hard to say.

But a public opinion survey, released Friday, suggests that borrowing money in Regina is generally a more pleasant experience for customers than it is for people living elsewhere in the country.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...57-e3608a9b6e4d

 

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Fixing roads will cost you

For capital projects, the proposed budget allocates $12.1 million over two years to improve the city`s wastewater treatment system. Expansion of the Wastewater Treatment Plant is considered the city`s single-biggest capital project in the coming years.

Also in the budget is $1.7 million for landfill expansion preparation, $4.5 million for construction of new buildings including a new Fire Station No. 4, as well as upgrades to recreation facilities, community centres and athletic fields.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...d4c31c9&p=2

 

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Young developer excited about project

The carefree stereotype of a man in his early 20s doesn`t typically include characteristics such as business management skills. Fortunately for Moose Jaw, Rag Toor doesn`t fit the stereotype.
Not only is the 24-year-old University of Saskatchewan student finishing a business administration degree, he`s also the president of Saskatoon`s Western Canadian Development, which is the company developing lots on the 140-acre West Park Subdivision for sale.

http://www.mjtimes.sk.ca/index.cfm?sid=120951&sc=520

 

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Mayor travels to woo workers

Officials in the Philippines are so impressed with how Saskatchewan recruited the country`s nurses, they are willing to train other workers needed in Saskatoon, says Mayor Don Atchison.

"They were quite open about it. They said you tell us what you need, and we`ll train them for you," Atchison said Sunday after returning from a weeklong tour through southeast Asia.

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...f0-0c49596beb48

 

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Regina reconsiders mill rate changes

REGINA -- A five-year plan to equalize property tax payments between single-family and multiple-family properties in Regina may be put on hold.

Traditionally, the relative tax rate for multiple-family residential properties has been considerably higher than for other residential properties, which includes single-family homes and condominiums.

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...1e-c27ed983809a

 

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U of S looking at land to relocate research unit

The University of Saskatchewan is considering a major purchase of land outside of Saskatoon city limits to relocate the Agriculture College`s beef research unit.

The provincial cabinet last week authorized the university`s board of governors to spend up to $3.3 million to purchase agricultural land.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...24-8e96890bb2ef

 

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Wall touts Sask. with U.S. ambassador

Premier Brad Wall continued to woo an American audience Monday, but this time it was on home soil during a visit from the United States ambassador to Canada.

But Wall also told reporters Monday that his Saskatchewan Party government hasn`t ruled out the idea of setting up an office south of the border.

Wall and Ambassador David Wilkins had a one-hour meeting at the provincial legislature, where the premier said he again raised his vision of the province as an "energy centre" for North America.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...d7-68e80d65ea33

 

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Council OKs new Angus Street condo

A condo conversion application approved by Regina city councillors on Monday is just the first of many that will come before them in the near future.

The 18-unit apartment building in the 100 block of Angus Street was approved for conversion to condominium ownership by city council at its Monday night meeting.

According to the city`s conversion policy, applications will only be approved if the rental vacancy rate is above three per cent. However, that clause may be waived if 75 per cent or more of the tenants are in favour of the conversion.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...8f-b2f7812ff9e0

 

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New homes, new lives

A new housing development in Regina is opening the door to home ownership for some families and promises to help revive one of the city`s core neighbourhoods.

Phase one of the Maple Leaf Estates development, which was built on the corner of Toronto Street and 14th Avenue, has brought home ownership within the reach of 29 low- or moderate-income Regina families.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...c9-5cbf94f9bf22

 

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Tire recycling moving forward

The Saskatchewan Scrap Tire Corporation (SSTC) is rolling along, with more than 10 million tires recycled to date.

At the annual meeting on Monday, the SSTC celebrated a good year of business and addressed some of the challenges posed by rising gas prices.

"In general, I would say 2007 has been one of our best years," said Don Schlosser, chairman of the SSTC board of directors.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...27-bbc7827587f2

 

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Regional meeting held to discuss hydro dam

Area municipalities including towns, cities, Indian nations and rural municipalities met on Thursday, March 27 in Melfort to discuss the Fort a la Corne hydro project.
"The project itself, I think, is going to benefit our community as well as the surrounding communities," said Chief Wally Burns of the James Smith band.
"The job creation, I think we`re looking 1,500 to 2,500 people."
Saskatchewan Finance Minister and Melfort MLA Rod Gantefoer attended the meeting, although he did not make a public address during the meeting.

http://www.melfortjournal.com/Front%20Page/389098.html

 

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Sask. well positioned to meet change: economist

Changes in the global marketplace have much to do with aging populations, new demand and the environment, Scotiabank`s chief economist said Tuesday.

And he said Saskatchewan is prepared to handle all three challenges

"It`s true that there`s an influence of the slowdown in the U.S. and other parts of the world, but it`s the commodity sector that gives the added buoyancy, the added juice to the economy,"

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...2f-a6dac0b1577d

 

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Hot market bound to cool: experts

What goes up must come down.

Or at least that`s been the experience of people who`ve been burned by the housing market south of the border, where houses prices have fallen dramatically in the wake of the sub-prime mortgage crisis.

About a third of the homes purchased in the U.S. in 2006 and 2007 are now worth less than the balances on the mortgages used to pay for them, according to the Zillow.com Web site, which keeps track of housing markets.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...6d-ea7aeb3be0a6