Enterprise Saskatchewan

Arcola
The Arcola Co-operative celebrated the opening of their nine-pump card lock gas facility. This is the first part of the $1.5 million overhaul of the co-op. (Carlyle Observer, December 25, 2009)

Carlyle
The annual Dickens Village Festival, a three day event, had another successful year. Each year during the first week in December, the town of Carlyle becomes a Dickens Village complete with costumes, Christmas light parade, theatre, high tea and a host of other entertainment. (Carlyle Observer, December 18, 2009)

Angel Morrow is the owner of Carlyle Custom Vinyl, and Morsand Gifts and More. The new business does custom vinyl lettering for home decorating as well as business signs. The store has expanded to include gift baskets and giftware items. (Carlyle Observer, December 11, 2009)

After fourteen years, Sheila and Ken Colpitts of Colpitts Agency are handing over the Co-operators Insurance portion of their business to Dale Gudmundson. Sheila Colpitts will continue to do tax preparation and accounting services while Ken Colpitts will continue to work for the insurance part under the new manager. Colpitts Agencies operates in Carlyle and Redvers. (Carlyle Observer, January 1, 2010; Redvers Optimist, January 2, 2010)

Carnduff
Zargon Oil and Gas Ltd. opened a field office in the Dean Fraser Community Centre. The company operates approximately 400 wells in the area and employs 24 contract operators. (www.carnduff.ca, January 3, 2010)

Estevan
Alyshia Rae is the owner of Simply Hip Buckles, a home-based business. The business offers one of a kind designer belt buckles. (Carlyle Observer, December 18, 2009)

After some delays, Swanberg Air made their first flight to Estevan. The company will be offering flights four days a week. It is anticipated that the flights would be a minimum of 50% full to make it feasible. (Estevan Mercury, January 6, 2010)

Lampman
Rotex Energy Ltd. has set up a new oilfield waste management facility 25 kilometres east of Lampman. The 10 acre complex will take liquid and solid waste from the oilfield as well as provide frac water from its own source well. (Pipeline News, January 2010)

Manor
The Village of Manor celebrated the grand opening of the new rink. Community fund raising and money from federal and provincial government made the new facility possible. (Carlyle Observer, December 18, 2009; Redvers Optimist, December 19, 2009)

Redvers
Spectra Credit Union celebrated their grand re-opening after undergoing a major face lift. (Redvers Optimist, December 19, 2009)

Belle Plaine
TransCanada, the company looking at building a polygeneration plant at Belle Plaine, says its plans are on hold indefinitely due to the current economic climate. Plans were put on hold a year ago and an update to the project says there is no timeline for determining whether the plant will proceed. (Moose Jaw Times Herald, Thursday, January 7, 2010)

Gravelbourg
At the 8th annual Festival of Trees fundraiser, $30,000 was raised by the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation for their Palliative Care/Quiet Room Project. (Gravelbourg Tribune, Monday, December 14, 2009)

Moose Jaw
Temporary layoffs announced earlier in the fall at General Cable have become permanent after 35 staff members were notified that the plant will be closing. It was an economic decision by the American owned company due to the down turn in the economy. (Moose Jaw Times Herald, Friday, December 18, 2009)

A Virtual Seat Sale has raised $630,000 for the Moose Jaw Multiplex. A total of $1.7 million has been raised by the community. (Moose Jaw Times Herald, Friday, December 18, 2009)

A retired Tutor jet has been moved and placed on display at Moose Jaw’s Tourism Information Center. It is expected that the jet, alongside Mac the Moose will entice visitors to stop in and discover another piece of Moose Jaw. (Moose Jaw Times Herald, Friday, December 18, 2009)

The work sharing program for Doepker Industries in Moose Jaw has been verbally approved. In December, 48 layoff notices were issued as a precautionary should the approval not be given for the program. The notices will not be necessary now. (Moose Jaw Times Herald, Tuesday, December 29, 2009)

In 2009, the number of building permits was down compared to 2008; however, the value of the permits was higher than the previous year. The total value of permits issued for 2008 was $91 million. (www.discovermoosejaw.com, January 6, 2010)

Battleford
Figures Fitness Centre is celebrating its second anniversary. (Daily News Online, January 6, 2010)

The number of building permits for new home construction issued by the town of Battleford in 2009 is down from last year. The town issued 18 permits for new home construction totaling $5.4 million. During 2008, 28 permits for homes worth a total of $7.6 million were issued. (Daily News Online, January 6, 2010)

Meota
Meota Agencies became a subsidiary of the Innovation Credit Union this week. The insurance agency has been in business for over 30 years. The business will remain in its current location and retain the current staff. (Daily News Online, January 6, 2010)

North Battleford
Barr Ryder Architects and Interior Designers have presented their detailed design of the four separate components to be included in the Battlefords Multipurpose Facility. Cost of the project is expected to be $49.8 million. It is anticipated tenders will be out early in 2010 with construction expected to begin no later than the end of May 2010. (City of North Battleford, December 15, 2009)

Director of Business Development, Denis Lavertu, has been appointed to represent the city on the Battlefords Marketing Alliance. Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Mike Halstead, is the alternate. This is a marketing alliance between the city, town, RM of North Battleford, RM of Battle River and RM of Meota. (Daily News Online, December 16, 2009)

The city of North Battleford, in partnership with the City of Lloydminster and the North West Enterprise Region, will be represented in the Saskatchewan Pavillion at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. The city of North Battleford and Lloydminster are each contributing $7,500 toward the kiosk. The North West Enterprise Region is contributing $15,000. Total time at the kiosk will be two days. (Daily News Online, December 16, 2009)

Vicki Dutton with Western Grain Trade Ltd. in North Battleford has been elected to the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers Board of Directors for 2010. Her duties will commence following the January 11, 2010 annual general meeting of Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. (Regional Optimist, December 18, 2009)

Fort Battleford Historic Park has hired a new manager. Scott Whiting, originally from Saskatchewan, commenced duties last month. He and his family relocated from Alberta. (Daily News Online, December 22, 2009)

The Source has been purchased by Bell Canada and it is anticipated there will be significant changes to the local source store located at the Frontier Mall once Bell takes over in January 2010. There has been no announcement regarding changes to staff or management at the store. The Source was the local outlet for Rogers’s cell phones so this will leave Rogers customers without local service. There is currently no expectation that Bell will be providing cell phone service. (Online Daily News, December 29, 2009)

QQ Nails & Spa has opened in the Territorial Place Mall. (Regional Office, December 29, 2009)

Leah Milton with Battlefords Tribal Agency is the new President of the Battlefords and District Chamber of Commerce. The President’s Banquet will be held January 26th. Guest speaker is Shauneen Bruder, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. (North Battleford Regional Office, January 5, 2010)

Battlefords United Way has a new Executive Director, Jane Zielke. Ms. Zielke is originally from Weyburn. (Daily News Online, January 8, 2010)

Shared Secrets will be opening soon in the Battlefords. The business will carry pajamas, overnight bags, jewelry, and other gifts. Owner, Treena Rathwell, indicated the store should be open in February. (Daily News Online, January 8, 2010)

J.B. Lockers (1982) Ltd., a local butcher shop, has changed hands. New owners are Dan and Jane Zielke from Weyburn. They purchased the business in November 2009. (Daily News Online, January 8, 2010)

Pierceland
.357 Fitness Centre will be opening in the Pierceland Arena Complex in the New Year. Renovations have been delayed due to cold weather, but the centre should be open and operational by the end of January 2010. Operators are Dean and Sarah Seltenrich. (Beaver River Banner, December 23, 2009)

Unity
Jennifer Vany Massage has relocated to 4th Avenue East in Unity. (Unity Herald, January 4, 2010)

Kinistino
The Kinistino/Birch Hills Post-Gazette published its final edition in December. The paper was operated by Sun Media, a division of Quebecor Inc., based in Montreal. According to the Sun media publisher, Ken Sorensen, the paper will be folded into the Melfort Journal, another Sun Media Property. There will be no loss of jobs or news coverage. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, December 17, 2009)

Melfort
The new hydroelectric dam near James Smith Cree Nation is making progress. According to Andy McPhee of Brookfield Power, the 250-megawatt, $1.4 billion Pehonan Hydoelectric Project has moved past the pre-feasibility stage and is now poised to enter into the $ 11.5 million feasibility stage. A site has been tentatively chosen on the Saskatchewan River near the James Smith Reserve approximately 80 km up stream from the Nipawin Hydroelectric Plant. An estimated 500 to 800 workers could be needed during the construction phase. (The Parkland Review, December 4, 2009)

Prince Albert
Lakeland Ford, the area’s largest car dealership, has been sold to Vaughn Wyant Automotive Group of Saskatoon. The new owner, Vaughn Wyant, and former owner, Dennis Balon, who will remain as Lakeland’s interim general manager for an indeterminate period, state no jobs will be lost as a result of the sale. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, January 5, 2010; Star Phoenix, January 5, 2010)

Era Maternity and Baby Boutique opened for business in December, offering fashionable maternity wear, baby and toddler wear, accessories and baby toys. Owners are Erin King and Sara Pocha. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, December 28, 2009)

Domtar continues with plans to dismantle the dormant Prince Albert pulp mill. Logen confirms talks with Domtar about turning part of the Prince Albert pulp and paper mill into an ethanol plant are off. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, December 22 and 23, 2009; Star Phoenix, December 22, 2009)

Shellbrook
In 2009 a total of 50 construction/demolition permits were issued, compared to 47 in the 2008 construction season. (Shellbrook Chronicle, December 18, 2009)

Fort Qu’Appelle
Unique Home Services, who specialize in interior renovations, has opened a new retail location in Fort Qu’Appelle. The grand opening took place in December. The new location will enable the company to cater to the Do It Yourself market by offering a wide selection of exterior renovation projects. (The Fort Qu’Appelle times, December 15, 2009)

Punnichy
A celebration was held for the grand opening of the Punnichy Career Transition Initiative Program. This new program offers alternatives to the standard classroom and guides students to taking responsibility for their personal success by demonstrating a commitment to learning. By focusing on work skills and providing students with a unique learning environment along with a dedicated staff, students have become motivated to succeed. (Ituna News, November 30, 2009)

Regina
No.1 Archery & Sports, located east on Highway #1, is celebrating their 20th Anniversary. (Leader Post, December 12, 2009)

Audio Warehouse, located on Lorne Street, is celebrating their 45th anniversary. Audio Warehouse is also located in Saskatoon, Yorkton and Prince Albert. (Leader Post, December 12, 2009)

Absolute Cash, located on 11th Avenue, is closing. (Leader Post, December 18, 2009)

Plans are in the works for a new high-rise apartment condominium complex on a vacant area in Regina’s downtown. The City has received a discretionary use application proposing a 12-storey high-rise building for Rose Street. The top eight floors would contain 64 high end executive apartment condominium units. The first four floors would consist of a parking garage; the main level would contain an active frontage, with amenities for residents. The proposal will go to the planning commission and city council in the first few months of 2010. The developer hopes to break ground in the 2010 construction season. The building will be called The Gardens on Rose. (Leader Post, December 31, 2009)

As part of their $1.9 billion expansion, Consumers’ Co-operative Refineries Ltd. awarded two contracts totaling $125 million to Aecon Field Services for mechanical work, fabrication, and pipe installation. Aecon’s operation was scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2009 and to be completed by the summer of 2011. (Labour Market Bulletin, January 2010)

Bell Tire, located on 1st Avenue, is celebrating 50 years in business. (Leader Post, January 4, 2010)

Three Regina-based companies, Farm Credit Canada, Conexus Credit Union and Co-operators Life Insurance, were named to the list of the Top 50 Employers in Canada, compiled annually by Hewitt Associates. (Leader Post, January 5, 2010)

Regina construction activity set a new record of $458 million in building permits in 2009, smashing the previous record of $342.5 million set in 2008. According to the City of Regina, this is the seventh consecutive year of record building activity in the Queen City. (Leader Post, January 6, 2010)

The average selling price for homes in metro Regina soared to a new high in 2009 and the number of properties sold was the second highest ever. Year-end statistics released by the Association of Regina Realtors indicate the average selling prices of homes sold through the multiple listing system was $244,328, which was up seven per cent from the previous record high set in 2008. There were 3,691 residential properties sold in metropolitan Regina last year, which was 10 per cent above the 2008 total. (Leader Post, January 7, 2009)

Saskatoon
A universal library card has finally arrived. The Saskatchewan Information & Library Services Consortium (SILS) purchased a technologically advanced integrated library system that will connect all public libraries throughout the province. The Director of Libraries with Saskatoon Public Library says it was time the library system made an upgrade. (Star Phoenix, December 12, 2009)

City council gave the go-ahead to begin a $400,000, two-year public engagement and planning process that will guide the city's planning and growth agenda and lead to a document that charts a new direction for Saskatoon. (Star Phoenix, December 15, 2009)

Station 20 West launched a public campaign this month to raise money for the planned community centre. Gift-givers can choose what they would like to donate toward the project and a card will be sent to the gift recipient explaining what was given in their name. Options include nails, wood, flooring and windows for the building. The finished centre is expected to have a grocery store that will stock affordable food and have health, employment and housing services. (Star Phoenix, December 15, 2009)

After a year of strong employment growth, employers in the Saskatoon region are set to hit the pause button on hiring intentions during the short term. In its December Metro Help-Wanted Index, the board identified Saskatoon as moving toward a drop in near-term employment prospects. However, the outlook isn't an indication; the job market in the city is set to falter during the next six months. (Star Phoenix, December 15, 2009)

Saturn Minerals Inc. and Swift Resources Inc. have announced a coal discovery at their Saskatoba project in east-central Saskatchewan. The companies say they intersected a 10.35-metre-thick coal seam at a depth of about 112 metres on their Armit property near Hudson Bay. Saturn and Swift also found a minor, 1.26-metre-thick coal seam at a depth of 102.7 metres. The discoveries were made in the early portion of a 24-hole winter drill program at Saskatoba. The companies say the drill program is being suspended for the season and will resume in early January. (Star Phoenix, December 23, 2009)

The number of home-based businesses is on the rise in Saskatoon. Year after year, not only is the number of home-based businesses increasing, but as an overall percentage of Saskatoon businesses, the share of home-based ventures rises by about one per cent a year. In 2008, 35 per cent of all businesses in Saskatoon were home-based. (Star Phoenix, December 23, 2009)

One of downtown Saskatoon's main streets will be undergoing big changes this year and beyond. The 3rd Avenue street beautification project began in 2009 and is expected to be complete in 2012. The project will change the look of the street by adding a centre, landscaped median and new lighting fixtures. The project is being completed in block-long phases. The block between 21st and 22nd streets began this year and coincided with the construction of Discovery Plaza, an office and retail complex. (Star Phoenix, January 4, 2010)

NEW BUSINESSES:

Furry Friends Animal Hospital, owners Dr. Harvey Domoslai, Dr. Alaine Fafard and Dr. Farshid Kiaei. (Star Phoenix, December 12, 2009)Sunkist Tanning Salon Inc., owners Carly and Colleen Grainger. (Star Phoenix, December 12, 2009)Dynasty Buffet, owners Peter Xie and Fuyu Xie. (Star Phoenix, December 19, 2009)The Wedding Boutique, new owners Lynn Ganyo and Amy Grant. (Star Phoenix, December 19, 2009)Always Towing Ltd., owners Rick and Ken Martin. (Star Phoenix, December 26, 2009)Mocha Coffee Bar, owners Lynn Derksen and Vickie Fulawka. (Star Phoenix, December 26, 2009)

Kindersley
Kindersley is preparing to borrow $10 million for the regionally charged Water West project, a co-operative union of five separate municipalities, where the town’s water treatment plant will be completely upgraded. (The Clarion, December 30, 2009)

Maple Creek
Maple Creek’s Newcomers Welcoming Committee has been awarded $5,320 from the provincial government’s Community Connections Program allowing it to host a multicultural event in 2010. (Maple Creek News-Times, December 17, 2009)

Renovations at Maple Creek Composite High School and the Credit Union are progressing well and are on schedule. (Maple Creek News-Times, December 17, 2009)

Regional
A pair of Southwest projects received a combined $16,000 as part of funding announced by Farm Credit Canada through the AgriSpirit Fund. The South West Centre for Entrepreneurial Development will receive $10,000 for the purchase of equipment, and Lac Pelletier Regional Park will be receiving $6,000 for playground equipment. (The Southwest Booster, December 21, 2009)

The Great Sandhills Railway celebrated their inaugural shipment of a 112-car grain train from Leader to Swift Current in December 2009. (The Southwest Booster, December 22, 2009)

Shaunavon
The Saskatchewan Municipal Board, which must approve large-scale borrowing plans but does not actually provide the funding, has approved an application from the Town of Shaunavon looking at the possibility of borrowing $3.5 million to complete the Wickenheiser Centre. (The Shaunavon Standard, December 22, 2009)

Eight lots along Hall Street, located in an Industrial development area, have been sold mostly to companies who are new property owners to the community, many with Alberta ties connected to the oilfield industry. (The Shaunavon Standard, December 22, 2009)

Construction on Rock Creek Golf Club’s clubhouse is so far ahead of schedule that organizers are now shooting for an earlier than expected opening. (The Shaunavon Standard, January 5, 2010)

The Shaunavon Co-op will be celebrating their 75th anniversary in January 2010. (The Shaunavon Standard, January 5, 2009)

Southwest
Interest in Crown petroleum and natural gas rights continues to lag in the Southwest in comparison to the rest of the province. (The Southwest Booster, December 17, 2009)

Swift Current
The City’s report for the month of November 2009 indicates that 35 businesses applied for licenses, five permits were issued for new construction valued at $460,200 and alterations extensions valued at $8,000. (City of Swift Current Report, November, 2009)

Modus was awarded a tender by the Alberta Government to construct 24 new green modular childcare facilities. (The Southwest Booster, December 21, 2009)

The City of Swift Current’s application to expand its boundaries has been rejected by the Municipal Boundary Committee. (Prairie Post, December 24, 2009)

Fourteen more lots are now available in the Highland subdivision and available for sale to the general public. With the addition of the residential lots, the City’s inventory has reached 24 lots for sale, according to the City of Swift Current. (Prairie Post, December 24, 2009)

Living Sky Casino celebrated its first year of operation at the end of December 2009. (www.swiftcurrentonline.com, December 31, 2009)

The City’s report for the month of December 2009 indicates nine new businesses applied for licenses and one business has applied for a name and address change. There were also six building permits issued for December with a total value of $1,063,000. (City of Swift Current Report, December 2009)

Bredenbury
Heather Bernath has opened up Country Color & Cuts, a hair salon also offering aesthetics. (The Miner-Journal, Esterhazy, December 28, 2009)

Kamsack
Alva McLeod has opened up Kamsack Kab, a taxi service. (Kamsack Times, December 24, 2009)

Langenburg
The Langenburg and District Daycare Co-operative Committee have been awarded two major donations, which will go towards the daycare’s new facility. The Town of Langenburg has donated two lots, as well as offering the new facility a five-year tax exemption once construction has been completed. Mosaic Potash has committed $50,000 to the project over the next five years. Construction is expected to start in the spring of 2010. (Four-Town Journal, Langenburg/Churchbridge, December 16, 2009)

Montmartre
Kathy Kohl has opened Upscale Nails, a home-based nail care business. (The Grenfell Sun, December 14, 2009)

Moosomin
Greenline Equipment has been purchased by Maple Farm Equipment. The merge will result in additional jobs. Maple Farm Equipment also operates outlets in Yorkton, Preeceville, Balcarres, Wynyard, Foam Lake, and Russell, Manitoba. (The World-Spectator, Moosomin, December 14, 2009)

Neudorf
Penny Prance has opened up The Stonehouse Manor Bed and Breakfast. She is also in the process of remodeling the attached former garage into the Neudorf Café, hoping to have it ready in the next three to four months. (The Melville Advance, December 23, 2009)

Yorkton
David Dedman of David Dedman Pontiac Buick GMC Ltd. has partnered with Ron Kaban and formed a new car dealership, Yorkton Hyundai. There will be no changes with staff. (Yorkton This Week, December 30, 2009)

In order for the City of Yorkton to grow, the City and the Rural Municipality of Wallace have come to an agreement whereby the City will annex 287 acres of RM land. The City is also hoping to annex acres from the RM of Orkney as well. (Yorkton This Week, December 23, 2009)

Saskatchewan small business owners were less optimistic in December than they were in November - dropping from first to sixth in a countrywide survey - largely due to rumored delays in tax cuts, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). Small business owners in the province are still more optimistic than most of their counterparts in the rest of the country. Saskatchewan spokesperson for the CFIB, said business optimism is still relatively high, but may be slipping due to the province's fiscal problems. In his mid-term financial report in November, Finance Minister Rod Gantefoer indicated the province was projecting a $1 billion deficit and might have to delay proposed property tax cuts. (Star Phoenix, January 7, 2010)