Enterprise Saskatchewan

Carnduff
The Town of Carnduff and the Rural Municipality of Mount Pleasant are proceeding with the construction of a medical clinic. The clinic will include space for a doctor’s office, two examination rooms, a treatment room, a room for Public Health Services, a medical reception area and a dental and hygienist office. Total cost of the building is $455,000 US. Also, Border-line Housing Company voted to proceed with the expansion to its current building. The addition would add ten new suites, a meeting area and a board room. Total cost of the suites would be $1,265,000 US funds. The three parties joined together to hire Sawtooth Construction out of Idaho. Sawtooth has bid both jobs for a total cost of $1,720,000 US funds. (Carnduff Gazette Post-News, February 8, 2010)

Estevan
Meyers Norris Penny was named one of the top 50 employers in Canada as per the survey results from Hewitt Associates. In the Estevan office, Meyers Norris Penny employs 25 people and is the largest accounting firm in the city. (Estevan Mercury, February 10, 2010)

Frobisher
Gibson Energy has acquired Johnstone Tank Trucking. The company transports crude oil and operates a well service with over 50 units in the southeast. (Estevan Mercury, February 10, 2010)

Redvers
A new building is under construction for Nelson Motors. The building will be double the size of the current location and allow the company to expand its services as well as hire more staff. (Redvers Optimist, February 6, 2010)

Moose Jaw
Genelle Payant has opened Hire Yield Human Resources Solutions offering a variety of flexible and customized human resource services to its small and medium sized business clients. (Moose Jaw Regional Office, February 18, 2010)

Battleford
Peter Ollenberger opened Good Sense Computer Services Ltd. in Battleford. The business offers computer sales and serves. (Daily News Online, February 11, 2010)

Battleford residents will soon see their sewer and water rates increase as a result of a new bylaw passed by town council. The increases are necessary to enable the town to cover its portion of the cost for a $4 million upgrade to its water treatment plant. (Daily News Online, February 18, 2010)

Town council has awarded the contract to prepare a detailed design and assemble a tender package for improvements to Highway 4 to AECOM of Saskatoon. (Daily News Online, February 18, 2010)

Meadow Lake
Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) is pursuing some projects as part of a plan to diversify its NorSask mill. Pending approval from SaskPower, MLTC would like to construct a Biomass generator at the mill site that would burn natural gas and wood waste from the saw mill to generate power. A second generator would be built near uranium mines in the north at a future date. If approved, the plant would take two years to build at an estimated cost of $175 million from private investors. (Northern Pride, February 9, 2010)

MLTC is hoping to set up two demonstration sites for a wood pellet heating system at Island Lake First Nation and Canoe Lake Cree Nation. The project would hopefully lead to a community heating system that would burn wood pellets instead of propane. (Northern Pride, February 9, 2010)

Arlene’s Boutique & Spa opened. Arlene Thiessen is the owner. The business was originally home-based but now has a store front location on Main Street. (Northern Pride, February 9, 2010)

Hair Hunters Hair Design celebrated its 13th year in business. Owner of the business is Corrinne Sinclair. (Northern Pride, February 9, 2010)

Woodland Stationery has a new owner. Toy Esterby has purchased the long-time business. Renovations are currently underway. (Northern Pride, February 16, 2010)

North Battleford
The Battlefords will receive more jobs and power, as a new power plant is built just east of the city. SaskPower and Toronto-based Northland Power Inc. announced the deal Monday. The plant, estimated to cost about $700 million, will be built four to five kilometres east of the city in the Rural Municipality of North Battleford. It will supply 261 megawatts of base load power to the provincial electrical supply grid. SaskPower has agreed to buy power from the company for 20 years. Construction is expected to begin this July and be completed in 2013. About 200 jobs are expected to be created while the plant is under construction. Once it’s completed, it’s expected to create 25-30 full-time, high-paying technical jobs. (Daily News Online, February 9, 2010)

Building Permits for the City of North Battleford for the month of January 2010 totaled $7.6 million up from $311,000 for the same period last year. (City of North Battleford, February 10, 2010)

Shared Secrets Top Trend & Leisure has opened. Owners are Treena Rathwell and Sandra Ismond. (Regional Office, North Battleford, February 11, 2010)

Antonietta Montanaro opened Brio Boutique, a home-based business selling handbags, scarves and jewelry. (Regional Office, North Battleford, February 11, 2010)

Under new ownership, J.B. Lockers has now changed their name to B & D Meats. (News Optimist, February 16, 2010)

Three new businesses, Flaman Fitness, The Stashbox Smokeshop and Domino’s Pizza, opened this month. (Regional Optimist, February 18, 2010)

Renovations are underway for another new business in the city. Aaron’s Furniture & Electronics will open soon in the former Mark’s Work Wearhouse location. (Regional Office, February 18, 2010)

Charlie’s Oil Can (Check & Inspect) is now open for business. (Battleford’s Regional Optimist, February 17, 2010) 

Melfort
TJ’s Pizza held their official grand opening. Owners are Lloyd and Tara Muntain. (Melfort Journal, February 9, 2010)

Watrous
Chester’s Chicken franchise in Watrous was purchased by Lane Manson. The Chester’s Chicken franchise is now located and operating out of the Manitou Hotel. (The Watrous Manitou, February 8, 2010)

The Last Mountain Inn has been purchased by Lane Manson, who will officially take over from Brain and Dianne Dempsey on March 1, 2010. (The Watrous Manitou, February 8, 2010)

Indian Head
The grand opening of the restored Bell Barn is set for July 17, 2010. Over the past four years, the community of Indian Head has raised just over $1.3 million to cover the cost of the restoration. (Leader Post, February 13, 2010)

Regina
The Canadian Institute’s 2nd Annual Construction Superconference will be held in Regina at the Ramada Hotel and Convention Centre, April 22 and 23, 2010. (Enterprise Saskatchewan correspondence, February 9, 2010)

The Golden Apple Theatre Company, which aims to present intimate, contemporary musical theatre and drama performed by current and former Saskatchewanians, held its launch this month. The company’s first event, Making Love in a Canoe, was held at the TC Douglas Building. (Leader Post, February 11, 2010)

Wal-Mart opened its new store in south Regina in the Grasslands commercial area south of the Harbour Landing subdivision. The new store replaces Wal-Mart’s former store in the Southland Mall. The Supercentre features a full grocery store, expanded electronics section and services such as Tim Horton’s and McDonald’s restaurants, beauty salon, and vision care. The store is approximately 176,000 square feet. Approximately 100 new employees have been hired to augment the existing staff of 200 from the old store. (Leader Post, February 11, 2010)

The 10th semi-annual Leader Post Job Find Career Fair will take place at the Conexus Arts Centre on March 15th. (Leader Post, February 13, 2010)

Groovy Mama is celebrating their grand re-opening. Groovy Mama is now located on 13th Avenue. (Leader Post, February 16, 2010)

Kramer Ltd., the Regina based Caterpillar dealer and service company, was named among the 50 Best Managed Companies in Canada for 2009. Kramer Ltd. was formed in 1944 by Robert Kramer. The current president is Tim Kramer, the founder’s grandson. (Leader Post, February 16, 2010)

Effective June 9th, Regina International Airport will have seven trans-border flights per day. Earlier this month United Airlines announced it would launch non-stop service between Regina and Chicago. One week earlier Delta Air Lines announced it would double its two daily flights between Regina and Minneapolis-St. Paul to four flights. The Regina Airport Authority has put together back-to-back record years, with 1,022,042 passengers in 2009, 1.7 per cent more than 2008, which also saw more than a million passengers use the airport. The Regina Airport Authority is planning to resurface the main and secondary runways at a cost of about $18 million. The project is expected to be completed by 2011. (Leader Post, February 18, 2010)

Strasbourg
Mountain Motor Products Ltd. is no longer a General Motors dealer, but owner Rod Shultz will stay in the car business in Strasbourg, focusing on the used car market. (Last Mountain Times, February 9, 2010)

Saskatoon
The future of Métis and First Nations students in Saskatoon got a little brighter following the signing of a partnership between the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, the Saskatoon Tribal Council and the Central Urban Métis Foundation. Leaders from the tribal council and Métis foundation each had a memorandum of understanding signed by the Catholic school division. The partnerships will enhance the working relationship among the three organizations with the intent of creating a better future for First Nation and Métis students in Saskatoon. (Star Phoenix, February 5, 2010)

Dignitaries at the University of Saskatchewan chipped away at a limestone mantle that will some day adorn the entrance of a new residence building on campus. Designers unveiled the official plan for two new residences after nearly a year of design and consultations. The two new five-storey buildings will hold one to four bedroom apartments, with kitchens and living areas. The 115 units, which will encompass 143,000 square feet, will house up to 400 more students on campus. (Star Phoenix, February 9, 2010)

A major contributor to Saskatoon's vibrant downtown urban scene is a contender for a top architectural award. 2nd Avenue Lofts is a contender for one of the six projects shortlisted in an annual competition sponsored by World Architectural News (WAN), an online news and global resource for architecture. Owner, Wayne Lemauviel, is pleased with the conversion of a half-century-old department store into a residential complex that has captured the imagination of an international team of judges. (Star Phoenix, February 6, 2010)

The Saskatoon region is off to a strong start in new home construction, according to figures released by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Home builders started work on 161 residential units in January, a significant increase from the 33 units started in the Saskatoon census metropolitan area in January 2009. (Star Phoenix, February 9, 2010)

BioExx Specialty Proteins Ltd. announced the work on a protein isolate addition to its 40,000-metric-tonne-per-year canola processing facility near Saskatoon is continuing as planned. The Toronto-based company said all critical equipment for the expansion will be installed by early March and equipment will be put into operation in mid-March. Electrical and piping hookups will be completed through mid-April. Nearly 100 contractors will be working at the site in the Rural Municipality of Corman Park during the peak construction period. (Star Phoenix, February 17, 2010)

Innovation Place tenants working out of research parks in Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert contributed $724 million to the provincial economy last year. Sixty percent of the research park's clients are small organizations, employing 10 or less people. (Star Phoenix, February 17, 2010)

Saskatoon's Claude Resources Inc. reported the discovery of a significant amount of gold at its Madsen project in Red Lake, Ontario. The company said it found 44.38 grams per tonne of gold over two metres in an area of the property called the Austin Tuff extension. Several other gold intercepts were also reported by Claude as a result of a 2009 surface testing program at the site. (Star Phoenix, February 18, 2010)

NEW BUSINESSES:
Afgan Kabob & Donair, owners Omran Peroz and Abdul Peroz. (Star Phoenix, February 6, 2010)
Medwest Medical, owner Dr. Marc Viger. (Star Phoenix, February 6, 2010)
Sphere-Licious, The Chocolate Cake Ball Company, owner Celeste Bodnaryk. (Saskatoon, Sun February 7, 2010)

Hazlet
The Chinook School Board voted unanimously to reinstate the Hazlet International Program, which brings in several international students each year, after the board had voted to have it discontinued in October 2009. (www.swiftcurrentonline.com, February 10, 2010)

Kerrobert
Officials hosted a meeting at the Kinsmen and Legion Hall to discuss a proposed condo development for Kerrobert that they hope residents will be interested in signing up for. (Kerrobert Citizen/Luseland Dispatch, February 10, 2010)

Kindersley
Local entrepreneurs Karen Stevens and Teresa Knight have opened a hair salon, Sharper Image, located at the refurbished Kindersley Mall. (The Clarion, February 10, 2010)

The Province of Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada are investing $660,000 for upgrades to the Kindersley Regional Airport. Upgrades will include improving drainage, runway repaving and repainting of runway lines. (www.southwesttvnews.com, February 16, 2010)

Leader
After extensive renovations and re-decorating, D & D Styling has relocated to its new location on Main Street. D & D styling has been in business in Leader for 23 years. (Leader News, February 10, 2010)

Maple Creek
Following 18 months of discussions and negotiations, the Cypress Health Region and the Province of Saskatchewan are ready to move forward on a new Integrated Health Facility in Maple Creek. The new facility will include 48 long-term beds and 24 acute care beds; with the building design allowing for future expansion as necessary. Construction on the new facility in Maple Creek is to begin in the coming months. (www.southwesttvnews.com, February 13, 2010)

The value of construction in Maple Creek increased significantly in 2009 compared to the previous year, according to town council’s building permit report. A total of 14 building permits were issued in 2009 with a total cost of over $14 million, compared to 40 permits issued in 2007 at a value of approximately $1.3 million. (Maple Creek News, February 16, 2010)

Rosetown
Rosetown Chamber of Commerce is holding the Celebrate Success gala in Rosetown on April 14th to honor civic and business achievement. This year a new Rural Roots Award will recognize excellence in agricultural achievement. The chamber hopes the new award will help foster rural-urban understanding and consideration. (West Central Crossroads, February 15, 2010)

Members and dignitaries gathered to celebrate the new co-op grocery store’s ceremonial opening. (Rosetown Eagle, February 15, 2010)

Southwest
The Great Sandhills Railway is a month away from completing its first year of operation and company officials say things are going quite well despite some early hurdles the new company had to endure. (West Central Crossroads, February 8, 2010)

Members of the Sask-Mont Rural Development committee met again last week in Shaunavon to continue the group’s ongoing effort to create a 24-hour commercial port at Turner/Climax border crossing. (The Shaunavon Standard, February 17, 2010)

Community leaders from across the Southwest gathered in Shaunavon last week to participate in the official grand opening of the Whitemud Economic Development Co-operative. Officials, including Cypress Hills-Grasslands Minister of Parliament David Anderson and Cypress Hills Minister of Legislative Assembly Wayne Elhard, crowded into the Centre Street office to celebrate the establishment of the Southwest economic development group. (The Shaunavon Standard, February 17, 2010)

The Southwest enjoyed their best level of interest in over a year during the February crown petroleum and natural gas right sale. Interest in the Southwest was $4 million making it the highest activity in the Southwest in seven crown petroleum and natural gas rights sales dating back to the October 2008 sale where the region recorded $22.3 million in activity. (The Southwest Booster, February 18, 2010)

Swift Current
Farm Credit Corporation presented the $10,000 FCC AgriSpirit Fund Grant to the SouthWest Centre for Entrepreneurial Development. The grant funding will be utilized to purchase equipment and make improvements to the centre. (The Southwest Booster, February 11, 2010)

The City of Swift Current has entered into a new partnership with Popick Homes Ltd. to complete residential construction on the remaining four lots of 4th Avenue South. Construction must commence on the four lots by December 31st of this year. (www.southwesttvnews.com, February 12, 2010)

Vanguard
Gravelbourg based Mustard Capital Inc. (MCI) has announced plans to purchase and install equipment at a new milling facility being built at Vanguard. The $1.3 million expansion will result in a threefold increase in MCI’s annual production volume. A minimum of four new jobs will be created by the project. Mustard Capital Inc is investing $1 million in the capacity expansion, while a total of $300,000 in federal funding is being provided through the Community Adjustment Fund as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. (The Southwest Booster, February 18, 2010)

Broadview
Sheldon Richter has opened up Richter Electric, providing residential, commercial and agricultural electrical services. The business is between Broadview and Grenfell, and will service both communities. (The Grenfell Sun, February 1, 2010)

Fleming
The Lake of the Woods Milling Co. grain elevator has burned to the ground. The wooden grain elevator was built in 1885 and was currently being restored. It was recognized in the fall by the Architectural Heritage Society of Saskatchewan, earning an award in the exterior conservation category. A grand opening was expected to take place in May. (Leader-Post, Regina, February 10, 2010; The Whitewood Herald, February 15, 2010)

Foam Lake
John Riberdy has opened up Foam Lake Home Health Care Limited, retailing in home health and mobility care products. A grand opening took place in January. (Foam Lake Review, January 25, 2010; February 8, 2010)

Kamsack
Crystal Leis has expanded her home-based esthetics business, called Esthetics by Crystal, to a new commercial location. Heavenly Touch Esthetics is now open for business at the Kamsack Shopping Plaza. (Kamsack Times, February 18, 2010)

Melville
After only being back in business for three weeks, the King George Hotel was destroyed by fire. The owner has already indicated he would rebuild. (Leader-Post, Regina, February 18, 2010)

Yorkton
April Schotts has opened up April’s Sweets Bakery, specializing in baking, light catering and made to order bakery products. (Yorkton This Week, February 3, 2010)

After 20 years, Hemlines Clothing Alterations & Repairs will be closing their doors. One of the employees will be operating a similar type of business from Churchbridge. (Yorkton This Week, February 10, 2010)

The 33rd Annual Easter Seals Snowarama has taken place. Since 1977, Snowarama has raised $1.5 million funds for Camp Easter Seal, a wheelchair accessible resort for adults and children with disabilities. (Yorkton This Week, February 17, 2010)

Residential construction in Saskatchewan cities last month recorded a 275 per cent increase over January of 2009. According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Saskatchewan ranked first among Canadian provinces in terms of percentage increase over last January. Nationally, urban housing starts were up by 40 per cent between January 2009 and January 2010. (Enterprise Saskatchewan News Release, February 8, 2010)