SK Economic Fundamentals 2008-07

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Research project to turn waste into biofuel

The University of Regina, Saskatchewan Forestry Centre and Canadian Green Fuels are joining forces to find ways of turning forestry waste and other biomass into the next generation of biofuels.

The Canadian Biofuel and Energy Research and Technology partnership, a five-year research project valued at $750,000, was announced at a news conference in Regina Thursday.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...3e-1402b1cb8c66

 

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Police warn of online rental scams

When it comes to property rental, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

That`s the message coming from the Saskatoon Police Service as the housing rental market heats up, especially with university students coming back into the city.

Sgt. Dennis Scott of the police fraud unit is warning renters about potential property scams running through online classified services.

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...0e-7248969eb2f7

 

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Playing lumberjack can take a notch out of wallet

SASKATOON - If a tree falls in Saskatoon`s urban forest, someone`s going to pay.

In a bid to protect its trees from developers who consider them nuisances, the city is assigning a monetary value to every tree in its 100,000-plus urban forest. The value is how much you`ll have to pay if you yield to the urge to play lumberjack.

Bringing down one wide and towering American elm on a boulevard in the city`s Varsity View neighbourhood will set you back $46,412.

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news...f3-44f5ab7b82cd

 

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Saskatoon puts price on trees to deter destruction

SASKATOON - Once a barren Prairie town, Saskatoon now flourishes with ash, maple, birch, elm, cottonwood, oak, pine and spruce.

But the trees -- the result of nurseries researching what types of trees were best suited to the climate -- are now in danger from developers intent on capitalizing on the building boom sweeping the province.

In an effort to ensure the survival of the urban forest, the city has now put a price on the cost of individual trees. The most valuable so far is an elm tree in Varsity View that would cost a developer $60,000 should it be felled.

http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/s....html?id=649234

 

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Many highway construction projects going on over weekend

The following construction projects are going on this weekend in Saskatchewan:


Highway 1

• The new twinning lanes of Highway 1 at, and to the west of Moosomin are under construction adjacent to the existing lanes.Highway 2
  
  • Highway 2 from its junction with Highway 264 to about 10 kilometres (km) north is being surfaced. Traffic may be reduced to one lane through the construction area.Highway 2 is being paved from 18 km north of Imperial to Watrous.
  Highway 3
  
  Highway 3 from about 8 km to about 12 km east of Mont Nebo is having a micro-surfacing treatment applied. Traffic will be reduced to one lane through the construction area.

http://www.paherald.sk.ca/index.cfm?sid=152112&sc=4

 

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Extra fundraising dollars may go to soccer centre enhancements

Bigger than expected fundraising could mean a fancier than expected soccer centre.

"Our volunteer fundraising committee undertook a community campaign that exceeded our expectations," said chair of the Joint Soccer Committee Mitch Holash. "Thanks to the generous support and commitment from the Prince Albert community, we were able to raise $5.335 million, which is $1.735 million over the original goal."

With the extra funds, the City has decided to make some enhancements to the original plans for the Alfred Jenkins Soccer Fieldhouse.

http://www.paherald.sk.ca/index.cfm?sid=152075&sc=4

 

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New high in employment rate

Employment levels in Sask-atchewan soared to record-setting levels last month, according to the latest labour force survey released by Statistics Canada on Friday.

The data indicated there were 521,100 persons employed in the province last month, which was up by 11,200 compared to June of last year.

The unemployment rate was a seasonally adjusted 4.0 per cent, which is down from 4.4 per cent in June of last year and down from 4.1 per cent in May of this year.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...d7-ce5cfc820b85

 

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Governments growing forward

Agriculture ministers signed off Friday on a new framework for farm programs dubbed "Growing Forward," but the federal government still has to hammer out details with each province.

"Over the coming weeks we`ll be working with each of my provincial colleagues to build bilateral agreements based on Growing Forward," said federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, the MP for Battlefords-Lloydminster.

Ritz pledged that the agreements with the provinces will allow for more flexibility to better suit local needs.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...e4-a82528ced5de

 

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Vacancy rates rise downtown

SASKATOON -- Saskatoon`s downtown office market added new leaseable space in the second quarter of 2008, bringing the vacancy rate up to 4.71 per cent from 4.02 per cent in the first quarter, Colliers McClocklin reported Friday.

The former post office, now being renovated by new owner Vecima Networks, has added 15,000 square feet to the office rental market, while a retrofit of the former Bayside mall has added 113,000 square feet.

Still, the vacancy rate is down from the second quarter of 2007, when it was five per cent, says the report.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...b1-aba5d63332f3

 

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Horse power back in vogue?

Anyone putting gas in a vehicles these days knows how quickly dollars seem to slip away into the tank. But taxpayers are also footing the bill for increased gas prices for vehicles and machinery operated by government -- even if they are not feeling the hit to their pocketbooks directly. StarPhoenix reporters have rounded up information about how various levels of government are dealing with budget-busting costs.

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...5be0043&p=1

 

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Something old, something new on condo scene

William and Joseph Rumely wouldn`t recognize the place they built in 1912.

Then again, with polished concrete floors, brick walls and pillars preserved in Saskatoon`s newest warehouse loft conversion, they just might.

The tractor assembly plant built near the city yards at Pacific Avenue and 24th Street is going upscale, with construction of 18 lofts melding the plant`s history with modern living.

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...44-f8b50310e259

 

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Exciting things are happening in Willowgrove

As Saskatoon grows, new showhomes are good places to discover all the exciting new trends in design and layout.

Out in Willowgrove, the steadily increasing lineup of condominium and townhome development is a big part of the changing suburban landscape.

Riverbend Developments has an impressive stake in the neighbourhood with its townhome project at 510 Stensrud Rd.

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...82-2d99bba6447b

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Keep bugs at bay by fixing door, window screens

A small layer of fibreglass mesh is the only thing that keeps Canadians sane at this time of year.

Look out any window at dusk and you`ll see why. Hundreds of hungry mosquitoes patiently searching for the inevitable tear in your screens that will lead to the beginning of their blood feast as you sleep. Or try to sleep.

All this is why basic screen repair skills are useful, making for a sound sleep.

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...e9-2e8010ad7aa2

 

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Builders to meet with consultant

After a two-hour discussion at Temple Gardens Mineral Spa Tuesday evening, the Multiplex Builders Inc. agreed to speak with a consultant about fundraising for the future hockey/curing rinks and soccer facility.
The group members plan to talk with the consultant who worked with Prince Albert fundraisers on that city`s Art Hauser Centre campaign.
Ray Boughen, Multiplex Builders co-chairman, said representatives from all key stakeholders at Tuesday`s meeting would attend the professional consultation to find out how best to conduct the fundraising.

http://www.mjtimes.sk.ca/index.cfm?sid=151179&sc=3

 

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Local housing market still booming

The housing market in Meadow Lake, and in Saskatchewan has been booming for the past couple of years. There have been some major changes in Meadow Lake in part, because of the housing market.

The amount of recent building permits from recent bylaw report is staggering. To date this year there are five permits for new homes, four permits for condos, four permits for Residential land, two permits for Mobile Homes, two Commercial renovations, one new commercial building, and one home to move. To date Meadow Lake and area has seen 23 new houses being built this year.

According to local Real Estate agencies the houses in Meadow Lake have been very well priced in the past. People who moved away are now coming home to raise their families.

http://www.meadowlakeprogress.com/This%20W...ess/410585.html

 

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Water meters upgraded

A project, which began in 2002, to upgrade the town`s water meters, by allowing them to be read by a wireless device is nearing an end. The project is set to wrap up in about a year, according to Ken Turnbull, interim public works director.
A small receiver and transmitter is put onto residential and commercial water meters. Turnbull said they are about two thirds complete.

http://www.nipawinjournal.com/News/410070.html

 

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House trader at it again

Finding a creative use for a house that brought Kyle MacDonald fame and fortune and put a small rural Saskatchewan community on the map is not an easy task.

"I`ve had hundreds and hundreds of offers,`` said MacDonald, who posted his proposal to trade his modest two-storey Kipling abode on his blog for the world to see. His deadline for entries was Saturday.

MacDonald, the red paperclip trader, acquired the house from the town of Kipling in 2006 in a final trade in his bid to barter an ordinary paperclip into a house.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...43-eafebe758073

 

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Lake residents concerned over new development

LAC PELLETIER -- Construction of a marina and a 45-lot subdivision near a small stream and marsh at Lac Pelletier in southwest Saskatchewan has pitted the developer against cottage owners who believe the project will damage the most sensitive area of the lake -- an area that`s also a spawning ground for fish.

The government agencies involved and the developer say all protocols and regulations have been followed from the very start, so there is no cause for alarm.

However, that provides little comfort to cottage owners who are concerned about the lake, 43 kilometres southwest of Swift Current.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...be-552d3f7436c2

 

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West Industrial Area open house planned

The City of Saskatoon is inviting the public to an open house Tuesday on proposed land use changes in the West Industrial Area.

The West Industrial Local Area Plan recommended land use designation and zoning district changes for 119 properties in the area, according to a city news release.

The plan was approved by city council in 2004 and in May council approved the West Industrial Concept plan, a guide to medium- and long-term growth and development of the area. The city is now working to implement the plan`s land use recommendations.

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...6d-bb25b8652fa6

 

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Saskferco sold for $1.6B

An agreement to sell Saskferco for $1.6 billion means about $750 million for the province, the Saskatchewan Party government said Monday.

The nitrogen fertilizer plant at Belle Plaine -- primarily owned by Mosaic and provincial Crown corporation Investment Saskatchewan -- is being sold to Norway-based Yara International, pending closing conditions are met.

Saskferco had been put on the auction block in late June.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...25-f06d0af4d0d1