MB Economic Fundamentals 2008-07

[joeiannuzzi]

Rail line may still be in business

It may not be the end of the line after all for a section of rail line slated to be shutdown.
With financial backing of several sources including Morden philanthropist John Buhler, the group calling itself the Boundary Trail Railway Company says it is making real progress towards the purchase of the 23 miles of rail line from Binney Corner west of Manitou to near Morden.
BTRC not only has the financial backing of Buhler but other sources including the Town of Manitou and R.M. of Pembina.
"We are tremendously encouraged by the fact that the R.M. of Pembina and Mission Terminal Ltd. have both made a financial commitment to this project," said Laurie Linaker, president of BTRC.

http://www.mordentimes.com/News/412450.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Rockwood boundaries reviewed

In view of the population growth being experienced in the Rural Municipality of Rockwood, a review of the existing ward boundaries is warranted.
Council hired Roger Bouvier, of Municipal Solutions to review the existing by-law and to propose recommendations to the council.
Presently there are six wards in the municipality and it is council’s intention to remain with six wards at this time.

http://www.stonewallargusteulontimes.com/News/412539.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Building permits up across region

The pace of new home construction continues to increase across the Morden -Stanley - Winkler region.
After slowing earlier this year, new housing starts were more comparable to last year`s pace at the mid-point of 2008.
The statistics compiled by the MSTW (Morden Stanley Thompson and Winkler) Planning District show how the numbers compared as of the end of June from 2007 to 2008.

http://www.winklertimes.com/News/412464.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Urban reserve close to finalized

Winnipeg is on the verge of having its first urban reserve, the head of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs said.

The reserve could bring significant changes to the economic and political life of Manitoba aboriginals and usher in a new chapter of native life in this city Grand Chief Ron Evans said.

City and aboriginal officials are less than six months away from signing a crucial agreement, that would set out how the city would provide fire protection, and water and sewers, when the site of the proposed reserve near Polo Park becomes federally owned land.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/sto...p-4797130c.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Office leasing expected to hit ten-year high

This is shaping up as the busiest year in more than a decade for office leasing activity in Winnipeg, according to the latest market report from Colliers Pratt McGarry.

In its newly-released mid-year office market report, the Winnipeg commercial real estate firm said 233,000 square feet of office space was leased in the city during the first half of this year.

That net gain reduced the city`s overall office vacancy rate to 5.8 per cent from 6.8 per cent at the end of 2007, it added.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/subscribe...p-4797151c.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Luxury hotel added to airport

Winnipeg Airports Authority has announced plans for a cutting-edge luxury hotel to be located at Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport.

"We are pleased to be working with Lakeview (Management Inc.) in bringing a world-class hotel facility to the airport campus," said Barry Rempel, president and CEO of the WAA. The 100-room hotel will include a 2,500-sq.-ft. spa, a state of the art gym, meeting spaces, a sushi bar and a sky lounge.

http://www.winnipegsun.com/News/Winnipeg/2...293971-sun.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Hydro debt to hit $18B

Manitoba Hydro`s debt will double in the next decade and that could force power rates to rise by five or six per cent a year to pay off three mega-projects, a consumer advocate warned.

But, Manitoba Hydro president and CEO Bob Brennan said that`s bunk -- Hydro`s projected $18-billion debt will be covered mostly by exports sales. Manitobans` won`t likely pay more than the rate of inflation for power, he said.

The debt debate could heat up later this week when the Public Utilities Board releases a new, more detailed order -- a follow-up to the one it dropped late last month that commanded Hydro to hike rates by a whopping five per cent, even though Hydro asked for only half that.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/sto...p-4797654c.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Using the `fluffy law` to keep pets in suites

The Winnipeg Humane Society is hoping a pet-loving lawyer will throw it a bone and help prevent landlords from keeping dogs and cats out of apartment buildings.

Officials at the WHS say they want to challenge The Residential Tenancies Act because it renders thousands of pets homeless each year and causes untold heartache to their owners.

"When a little old lady leaves her home at age 75 and wants to move into an apartment and can`t bring her eight-year-old cat, that`s unreasonable," said Merrell-Ann Phare, a WHS director and chairwoman of the its animal advocacy committee.

She said she`s hoping a lawyer who is well-versed in civil proceedings will donate time to the efforts of WHS, a non-profit organization.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/sto...p-4797634c.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Closure of big stores downtown merits mixed reaction from businesses

Vacant buildings in Portage la Prairie`s downtown core are giving local business people an empty feeling.

While the imminent closure of SAAN and the already closed Red Apple and Fountain Tire haven`t affected other local business` sales, because of differing clientele, there has been a noticeable decrease in foot traffic in the area, business owners say.

Krista Shindle, who works at Mil-Jeanne Flowers on Saskatchewan Avenue E. said determining effect of the closure of Red Apple and SAAN isn`t easy.

http://www.portagedailygraphic.com/Article....aspx?e=1133531

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Beef firm buys former hog plant

Out with the pigs, in with the cows.

Less than a year after Maple Leaf Foods closed up shop on its pig processing plant at 663 Marion St., a Manitoba-based beef company is moving in. Natural Prairie Beef announced yesterday it has purchased the plant and intends to open it for production of a full range of beef products this fall.

http://www.winnipegsun.com/Business/2008/0...303486-sun.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

PUB report warns hydro of risky future

The province`s power regulator has cracked the whip on Manitoba Hydro, demanding more and better conservation programs and a public hearing to determine what homeowners can expect to pay for power in the next decade.

In a mammoth 415-page order -- the longest in years -- the Public Utilities Board laid bare many of the risks Hydro must grapple with over the next decade as it embarks on its biggest building spree ever -- a spree the Doer government hopes will turn Manitoba into a green energy powerhouse.

Those risks, including rising interest rates, skyrocketing construction costs and the uncertainty of the export market, are why the PUB ordered Hydro to hike electricity rates by five per cent late last month, even though Hydro asked for only half that.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/sto...p-4798133c.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

$187-M busway in the works?

The city and province are working on a $187-million deal to connect downtown and the University of Manitoba with a dedicated busway, sources say.

Since March, when Ottawa handed Manitoba $17.9 million for transit and alternative modes of transportation, the city and province have been discussing how to spend that cash.

Katz initially suggested a decision would be made by July 18, but later extended that deadline to July 31.

No announcement is expected today, but city hall sources confirm Winnipeg Transit has taken a detailed look at the costs and logistical challenges involved in building a southwest Winnipeg bus corridor that would parallel Pembina Highway.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/sto...p-4798809c.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Wuskwatim pact expected soon

Manitoba Hydro`s $1.6-billion Wuskwatim hydroelectric dam project appears to be back on track.

The public utility expects to award the contract to build the bulk of the northern Manitoba generating station "no later than September," Hydro president Bob Brennan says.

Brennan said the Crown corporation has received "good interest" from potential bidders after failing to attract a single qualifying bid for the project`s general civil contract last year.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/subscribe...p-4798787c.html