Enterprise Saskatchewan

Estevan
Estevan Diversified Services has expanded their housing accommodation for their growing client base. The expansion will accommodate three clients immediately with two more to follow. (Estevan Mercury, February 3, 2010)

Tech Solutions Canada held a grand reopening. Clint Kraushaar is the sole proprietor of the business. (Estevan Mercury, February 3, 2010)

Oxbow
Ohmydog! Grooming held a grand opening. Jessica Mathison is the owner. (Oxbow Herald, February 1, 2010)

Southeast Saskatchewan
Seven communities in the southeast will receive funding from the Federal Government under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program. Fillmore, Ochapowace First Nation, Radville, Redvers, the Rural Municipality of Cymri (Midale), Stoughton and Wawota will receive money to provide upgrades to their local recreational facilities. (Estevan Mercury, February 3, 2010)

Weyburn
Although construction in the city was down last year, 2009 was the fourth best year for construction in the last 14 years. In property sales, 243 lots were sold over the last five years. The city has approved the creation of 57 more residential lots. (Weyburn Review, January 27, 2010)

Moose Jaw
Crystal Zakaluzny has opened Double Shift Conditioning, a fitness training center, in downtown Moose Jaw. (Moose Jaw and District Chamber of Commerce)

The Saskatchewan 2010 winter games will be held in Moose Jaw, February 14th-20th. The city is gearing up for the event which will see more than 1500 athletes participate in 15 different events at venues across the city. (www.discovermoosejaw.com)

Battleford
The Town of Battleford has officially approved a memorandum to form the Battlefords Marketing Alliance, which would see Battleford join the City of North Battleford, Battlefords Tourism, Battlefords Chamber and the Rural Municipalities of North Battleford, Battle River and Meota, joined together to market and promote the entire Battlefords area to tourists and those looking to do business in the area. (News Optimist, January 27, 2010)

Meadow Lake
55 West Enterprise Region created the Financial & Business Planning Service Providers Handbook, pointing businesses and entrepreneurs to the right financial service providers. (Northern Pride, January 26, 2010)

North West Regional College at Meadow Lake has received approval to construct a 40-unit student housing complex across from the college. The complex will be townhouse type units, completely furnished and self contained. Construction will begin in April 2010 and be completed by March 2011. (Meadow Lake Progress, January 29, 2010)

The City of Meadow Lake has been awarded the 2012 Saskatchewan Summer Games. (Beaver River Banner, February 3, 2010)

North Battleford
Leah Milton has been elected as the new president of the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce, replacing Kelly Bahrey. (News Optimist, January 27, 2010)

The Chamber of Commerce in partnership with North West Regional College committee has awarded a $500 Business Excellence Award (BBEX) to Dana Craig, a business certificate student at North West Regional College’s Battlefords Campus. (News Optimist, January 27, 2010)

Unity
Northwest Grain Terminal is one of four winners of the newly created Grain Handler of the Year award, initiated by the Canadian Wheat Board. (The Herald, February 1, 2010)

Carrot River
River’s Edge Semi & Ag Ltd. opened for business. In their 5,000 square foot facility, they will specialize in the repair and maintenance of agriculture equipment, semi trucks and trailers. The business is owned by Marcel Enns and Roy Bokinac. (The Parkland Review, January 22, 2010)

Plans for start-up of the Carrot River sawmill are under way with public consultation and information sessions being held at six locations in the northeast. C & C Wood Products, the new owners of the Carrot River sawmill and Hudson Bay Plywood mill, will be managed under the corporate name of Edgewood. Edgewood’s initial responsibility is to put together a start-up plan for the Carrot River mill. (Nipawin Journal, January 20, 2010)

Hudson Bay
The North East Enterprise Region held its official grand opening at their regional office located in Hudson Bay. The North East Enterprise Region assists the region to increase business and industry competitiveness, realize its economic potential and compete globally. CEO is Patrick Chopik. (Hudson Bay Post-Review, January 27, 2010)

Humboldt
With the help of $82,295 from the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA), the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) has purchased new machinery and secured the national Standards Council of Canada (SCC) accreditation for its equipment testing facilities in Humboldt. Local manufacturers will now be able to have their equipment assessed for quality here in Saskatchewan instead of going out of province for SCC and international testing standards. (Star Phoenix, February 2, 2010)

BHP Billiton, is a company that has set up shop in the Watrous, Young and Jansen areas. Eight days after announcing an approval for $240 million of capital expenditure to support development of the first stages of the Jansen Potash Project, the company made another splash by entering into a definitive agreement with Athabasca Potash Inc. (API). The agreement means that BHP Billiton will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of API. The total equity of the move is approximately $341 million on a fully diluted basis. API is a junior potash company that owns the Burr Project, located adjacent to BHP’s Jansen project, as well as various other potash exploration properties in Saskatchewan. API holds one of the largest exploration permit areas in the provincial basin, covering around 6,900 square kilometres. With the Burr project being next to the Jansen project along with some of API’s exploration properties neighbouring BHP’s potash permit areas, BHP will now have access to more than 14,000 square kilometres of prospective exploration ground. (Watrous Manitou, February 1, 2010; Lanigan Advisor, February 1, 2010; Star Phoenix, January 29, 2010)

As of December 31, 2009, the City of Humboldt had issued building permits totalling $21,924,147 compared to $13,383,063 in 2008. (Humboldt Journal, January 27, 2010)

Melfort
Melfort celebrated the opening of the new Kerry Vickar Centre in January. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, January 30, 2010)

The new hotel to be built in Melfort will be a Canalta Hotel. Ground breaking is expected to take place in the spring 2010. (Melfort Journal, February 2, 2010)

Mozart
The Elfros-Mozart Credit Union announced their intentions to merge their operations with Cornerstone Credit Union effective January 1, 2011. Mozart Branch will be closing effective August 31, 2010. (Wadena News, January 27, 2010; Advance Gazette, January 25, 2010)

Nipawin
The Nipawin and District Chamber of Commerce held its annual president’s dinner and Achievement in Business Excellence (ABEX) awards night. Along with certificates of recognition to various businesses, the main ABEX awards were presented to: Boughen Nurseries Ltd. received the agriculture award; Twin Lakes Trail Blazers received the service award; Dairy Queen received the retail award and Andres Cleaners Ltd. received the heritage award. (Nipawin Journal, January 27, 2010)

Prince Albert
Patricia Crowe has recently opened her own event planning business called Crowe Connections. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, January 25, 2010)

Construction is set to begin on a $2.4 million expansion of the SIAST Woodland Campus electrical department to allow the school to handle more students. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, January 21, 2010)

Balcarres
Seniors in Balcarres are enjoying an enhanced quality of life following the $188,000 building renovation. (Fort Qu’Appelle Times, February 2, 2010)

Fort Qu’Appelle
Dr. Phinda Soko will be joining the Medical Clinic located on Broadway Street. (Fort Qu’Appelle Times, January 19, 2010)

Prairie Co-op Cardlock, a 24 hours fuel service located on Sioux Avenue South, is now open for business. (Fort Qu’Appelle Times, January 19, 2010)

The Qu’Appelle Rink is open again after completing some renovations. (Fort Qu’Appelle Times, January 19, 2010)

South Creek Place, a new condominium complex located on the south side of Fort Qu’Appelle, is now open for viewings. (Fort Qu’Appelle Times, January 19, 2010)

The construction of new retail and office accommodation in Fort Qu’Appelle’s newest development is set to begin in early spring. The 25,000 square foot retail and office development on Broadway Street will include three distinct buildings offering varying sizes and spaces from 7,500 to 10,000 square feet. With construction being scheduled early this year, possession dates for tenants will take place during the first and second quarters of 2011. (The Fort Qu’Appelle Times, February 2, 2010)

Indian Head
Little Castle, a child care centre located on Grand Avenue, has recently opened. Currently there are three full time staff, one part time staff member, as well as a manager and a student. There are currently 50 children registered and expansion plans are on the drawing board which would include a summer camp for school age children. (Indian Head-Wolsely News, January 18, 2009)

Lumsden
The Lumsden Medical Clinic is celebrating 22 years in the community. (Waterfront Press Regional, January 21, 2010)

Regina
Regina based company, Laurie Artiss, won the right to design and manufacture lapel pins that will be sold at the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. About 1,000 pins with different Olympic designs have been manufactured. The pins will sell for $8.00 each. The company expects that 15 million pins will be sold. (Leader Post, January 22, 2010)

The new landmark to be located on Albert Street and Victoria Avenue will begin to take shape in the spring of 2010. The condominium building will be complemented by an adjoining Hilton Garden Inn. The residential building will feature 1, 2 and 3 bedroom terrace units and will range in price from $199,000 to over $1 million. (The Leader Post, January 23, 2010)

Jump.ca wireless communications store in the Cornwall Centre has undergone a major makeover in a bid to harness the latest technology to better serve its customers. The store features nine touch screen monitors, two interactive Microsoft Surface tables, a discovery wall with displays and a variety of other bells and whistles. In all, Jump.ca employs about 125 people at is various locations. (Leader Post, January 30, 2010)

Stadium Consultants International is working on site planning and design options, while Global Spectrum is assisting with business plan aspects of the proposed domed stadium that is being considered for downtown Regina. PCL is working with Stadium Consultants International on issues around cost. An initial consultant’s report pegged the cost of constructing a stadium at around $350 million, not including associated costs. The study is looking at the idea of a 33,000 seat facility expandable to 45,000 or more. (Leader Post, February 2, 2010)

Crews from Wright Construction Western Inc. are currently working on a $6 million addition to the Wal-Mart store located on Rochdale Blvd. (Leader Post, February 3, 2010)

Building permits totaling $29.6 million were issued in January 2010. The biggest permits issued in January were for a $7 million multiple-unit development on Windsor Park Road, by Northridge Development Corp., and $6.45 million for an addition to the Loblaw Companies distribution centre on Dewdney Avenue. The Ramada Hotel and Convention Centre on Victoria Avenue was issued a permit for $1.9 million for renovations. Sage Developments received a $1 million permit for a planned group development on James Hill Road. (Leader Post, February 3, 2010)

Strasbourg
Darlene’s Pizza and Family Restaurant is celebrating their first anniversary. (Last Mountain Times, January 19, 2010)

Tiny Tots and Helping Hands Day Care is celebrating their first year in the new location. (Last Mountain Times, January 19, 2010)

Saskatoon
A Saskatoon company that won an award for job creation in late 2009 issued 16 permanent layoff notices this week. Point2 Technologies develops and sells web-based inventory management and online marketing systems for the real estate and heavy equipment industries. (Star Phoenix, January 28, 2010)

Great Western Minerals Group Ltd. (GWMG) has within the past two days closed a deal worth more than $8 million and begun trading on an American securities exchange. The Saskatoon company, which is focused on the exploration and development of rare earth minerals, announced Monday it closed a short-form prospectus offering for gross proceeds of $8.05 million. (Star Phoenix, January 28, 2010)

New Businesses:
Downtown Tailor & Shoes Repair, owner Marta Genrich. (Star Phoenix, January 23, 2010)
Stonebridge Pharmacy, owners Ken Lepage, Christina Swiatecki and Lee Gallant. (Star Phoenix, January 23, 2010)
Green Hills (Registered Massage Therapy Clinic), owners Karen and Scott Hill. (Star Phoenix, January 30, 2010)
Choc’owrap Inc. and The Original Basket Boutique, owner Cindy Sanche. (Star Phoenix, January 30, 2010)
3 Thomson’s Sports Bar, owner Fuade Thomas. (Star Phoenix, January 30, 2010)

Shaunavon
Westridge Construction Ltd., acting as construction managers on behalf of the town of Shaunavon, is now inviting tenders from interested subcontractors for the construction of Phase III of the Wickenheiser Centre. (The Shaunavon Standard, January 19, 2010)

The Shaunavon Co-op celebrated their 75th anniversary in January 2010. (The Shaunavon Standard, January 18, 2010)

Southwest
Connacher Oil and Gas Group announced that it will commence its one and only Saskatchewan conventional drilling program for 2010 in Battrum. Battrum is a site located halfway between Pennant and Cabri. (Prairie Post, January 29, 2010)

The Gull Lake and Leader community rinks have received a total of $30,737 in funding through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program. (The Shaunavon Standard, February 2, 2010)

Swift Current
City Council has approved the purchase of equipment that is needed for upgrades to the Water Treatment Plant this year. (www.swiftcurrentonline.com, January 28, 2010)

The Howard Johnson Hotel in Swift Current is no longer a franchise as their agreement has been terminated. (www.swiftcurrentonline.com, January 28, 2010)

Sweetwater Estates are in the midst of final design plans as residential construction moves another step closer to reality on the site of the former Union Hospital in Swift Current. Sunrose Enterprises Ltd. have completed the geo-technical survey at the property, and in the coming weeks they will demolish the boiler facility which had remained on the property. (Southwest Booster, February 4, 2010)

Bodyfit Fitness Lounge is celebrating their 2nd Anniversary during the month of February. (Southwest Booster, February 4, 2010)

TS Metals and Canadian Metal Building Components in Swift Current have recently been acquired by WGI Westman Group Inc. The acquisition of the product line and location strengthens WGI’s position as a leader in the steel roofing and siding industry in Western Canada. (Southwest Booster, February 4, 2010)

Healing Touch Therapy, owned by Jan Clouthier, opened in the Professional Building. (Southwest Booster, February 4, 2010)

The southwest Centre for Entrepreneurial Development has received $10,000 through the Farm Credit Canada Agri-Spirit Fund. The centre plans to do some renovation projects, including air conditioning, and more energy efficient doors with the funds. Also receiving funds through the Agri-Spirit Fund is Lac Pelletier Regional Park for new playground equipment. (www.swiftcurrentonline.com, February 5, 2010)

Tompkins
Buffalo Bean Café closed its doors. (Maple Creek News, February 4, 2010)

West Central
Members of the West Central Enterprise Region gathered in Kindersley in January to elect the next board during the organization’s first annual general meeting. (The Crossroads, January 25, 2010)

Officials from the towns of Eston and Kindersley, along with other stakeholders, met at Great Plains College in Kindersley to discuss the Water West Project. Project planning is about 95 percent complete and the engineers of record have come forward with designs. Once the plans have been approved, the group hopes to go to tenders within the next couple of months. Stakeholders hope construction can start in 2010, with the majority of the construction likely to take place in 2011 to 2012. (The Press Review, February 2, 2010)

Esterhazy
On February 17, 2010, the Esterhazy Economic Development Committee is hosting a one day First Ever Community Fair, with more than 24 businesses, service clubs, and recreation groups participating to showcase what the Town of Esterhazy has to offer. (The Miner-Journal, Esterhazy, February 1, 2010)

Foam Lake
Foam Lake Day Care held a grand opening. (Foam Lake Review, February 1, 2010)

Langbank
Seed Hawk’s $7.5 million expansion will be starting this spring. The expansion will double the 45,000 sq. foot manufacturing and office complex. The expansion will also include inventory and parts storage. The company is expecting to triple production capacity over the next three years. (The Western Producer, February 4, 2010)

Langenburg
Justin and Jessica Miller have purchased Chicken Chef Family Restaurant. A grand re-opening was held. (The Four-Town Journal, Langenburg/Churchbridge, January 27, 2010)

Melville
Sam Perez has purchased the King George Hotel. The hotel had recently been closed, but will re-open while undergoing approximately $800,000 renovations. Once the renovations are completed, it is expected the 35 room hotel will create 15 – 16 jobs. (The Melville Advance, January 27, 2010)

Moosomin
Two years after a fire practically destroyed Knotty Pine Manor, a senior housing building, an official re-opening took place for the newly renovated building. (The World-Spectator, Moosomin, January 28, 2010)

Windthorst
Bev Bryant has purchased Windthorst Fine Foods and held a grand opening. (The Kipling Citizen, January 29, 2010)