Enterprise Saskatchewan

Estevan
The new arena was officially named Spectra Place after a major donator, Spectra Credit Union. Spectra has committed to a donation of $100,000 a year for ten years. The opening of the new facility will be late December or early January. (Estevan Mercury, July 21, 2010)

Kipling
Moose Mountain Castings is now open with new owners, Megan and Travis Kingston. (Kipling Citizen, July 9, 2010)

Midale
Midale Credit Union is celebrating 50 years of success in the community. (Estevan Mercury, July 21, 2010)

Oxbow
Missy’s Diner is closing. (Oxbow Herald, July 12, 2020)

Weyburn
Heislers, a business of 32 years, held a grand opening of Edwards Carpentry & Décor. The business offers kitchen cabinets, flooring, paint and window coverings. (Weyburn Review, July 14, 2010)

The United States Department of Energy and Natural Resources Canada have announced a $5.2 million commitment by the two governments to complete the CO2 injection project in 2011. The Weyburn-Midale oilfields represent the largest full scale carbon capture and storage field study. Injecting CO2 underground to force some of the remaining oil into wells has nearly tripled the production of oil in the mature fields. (Dailey News, July 20, 1020; http://www.ntm.nickles.com/issues/story.aspx?aid=1000379372&ref=rss)

White Bear
The Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant has been destroyed by fire. (Carlyle Observer, July 9, 2010)

Assiniboia
Award winning Assiniboia company, Flexxifinger QD Industries, now offers a new type of crop lifter. The Heavy Duty Lifter is specifically made to use for heavy cereal and is the latest addition to several other products invented and manufactured in Assiniboia and sold to customers worldwide. (The Times Assiniboia, July 16, 2010)

Bengough
In June, owner Laurie-Ann Carlson turned over the open sign in the window of the Bengough Café. It is located beside ESCO Autobody, across from the Museum and up the street from the Post Office. (Deep South Star, Thursday, July 22, 2010)

Coronach
The Coronach Economic Development Committee (CEDC), in partnership with the Assiniboia & District Chamber of Commerce, Gravelbourg Economic Development Committee and other community/business community members, are in the process of developing and implementing a regional Chamber of Commerce-like entity that will focus on business retention, attraction and expansion opportunities in the South Central rural Saskatchewan area. (CEDC EDO, Colleen Christopherson-Cote, July 2010)

The Coronach Early Learning Literacy Centre is an award winning kindergarten to grade 12 integrated child care and literacy facility. In 2007, the community requested funding from the Ministry of Education to initiate an integrated childcare facility to better serve our working population. It started with 13 enrolled students and now has 89 registered for 35 funded spots. There are 12 staff currently employed, five full-time. Total revenues are $235,509 (from services rendered) and total money spent locally including wages is $482,586. The total dollars invested in training is $40,000. Total grants since inception has reached $526,578. The community of Coronach views the Coronach Early Learning Literacy Centre as an important and viable example of how community organizations can create a service and employment opportunity in a small rural community. (Coronach Economic Development Committee Economic Development Officer Colleen Christopherson-Cote, July 2010)

Moose Jaw
Councilors and the mayor approved measures that would allow Little Chicago Development Company to begin construction on its multi-million dollar downtown project, the River Street Hotel. The Company has received initial approval to build a skywalk or pedway across First Avenue, connecting their hotel to the multiplex. (The Moose Jaw Times Herald, July 15, 2010; www.discovermoosejaw.com)

Moose Jaw should start seeing activity at Moose Jaw Pork Packers soon in preparation for the facility’s reopening, including an eventual name change. According to Tony Martinez, Donald’s Fine Foods/Britco Pork vice president, the company plans to finalize its purchase deal with the city this week and intends to start cleaning up and renovating the site in the immediate future. (The Moose Jaw Times Herald, July 15, 2010; www.discovermoosejaw.com)

A company has applied to Moose Jaw City Hall for discretionary use to build a retail outlet for building supplies. The proposed new business would be located between Sobey’s and Wal-Mart. (www.discovermoosejaw.com)

The latest visitor numbers from Tourism Moose Jaw are up from 2009. The first half of July saw nearly 3,800 people at the visitor centre. Last July, 7,700 visitors walked through the door. Excluding Regina and Saskatoon, Moose Jaw leads in the province in terms of tourism numbers. (www.discovermoosejaw.com)

The New Bulk Barn in Moose Jaw located at the Thatcher Crossing, held their grand opening. (The Moose Jaw Times Herald, Thursday, July 22, 2010)

At the age of 19, Jessica Layne Bird took the initiative to seek out a publishing company and just a year later has two published poetry compilations. Her books can be found at Java Express and John’s Music in Moose Jaw and at Chapters in Regina. (www.discovermoosejaw.com)

Mortlach
Mortlach’s population is growing, with about 350 people living in the area and 200 to 250 people in town. Deputy Mayor Dale Domeij, who is also chairman of the Mortlach Community Development and Agricultural Society, says the village is looking at putting in more lots to help people move in. (The Moose Jaw Times Herald, July 14, 2010)

At least four new businesses have set up shop in Mortlach in the last three years and they all have plans for expanding. The Candy Shop, The Tea House, Trading Post and Rock Shop, and HollyHock Market are the local businesses that are booming in Mortlach. (The Moose Jaw Times Herald, July 14, 2010)

Outlook
Western Sales, a John Deere dealership in west central Saskatchewan, is pleased to announce a major building expansion at its Outlook branch. The addition is 4500 square feet of service area, which will double the size of the existing shop at the Outlook location. (The Outlook, July 9, 2010)

After completing renovations in the former library located in the town offices, the Outlook & District Arts Council is excited to have a fresh new gallery space designed to house art shows and special exhibits in the future. The renovations came as a result of a monetary donation from the Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation and were just completed recently. (The Outlook, July 9, 2010)

Wild West Steelhead held a grand re-opening. The new facility is located 18 kilometers east of Lucky Lake and 20 kilometers south of Birsay. (The Outlook, Friday, July 16, 2010)

Lloydminster
Community Futures Lloydminster and Region have announced a new general manager. Scott Kovatch will be taking over the position. (Meridian Booster, July 12, 2010)

Meadow Lake
Pure Energy Health & Fitness, a new women’s gym, is set to open August 30th. The gym will offer high-end strength training and cardio equipment, a standup tanning bed, fitness classes and nutrition counseling. Owner is Coral McKee. (Northern Pride, July 20, 2010)

Meadow Lake Chamber of Commerce is hosted a city wide sidewalk sale for businesses to showcase themselves. (Northern Pride, July 20, 2010)

Meadow Lake Dental Clinic has re-opened in their new, larger location. (Northern Pride, July 20, 2010)

Meota
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of the new rural municipality office as well as completion of two area water projects; a new sewage lagoon, $1.7 million, and a deep water line for the Hamlet of Maymont Beach. (News Optimist, July 14, 2010)

North Battleford
Portabella’s Restaurant is undergoing renovations. (CJNB Radio, July 13, 2010)

North Battleford City Hall is undergoing $94,000 in renovations to the main floor. Work started in early July and is expected to be complete by month end. (Daily News Online, July 15, 2010)

Dean Bauche, City of North Battleford Director of Galleries, is retiring after 22 years in the position. (News Optimist, July 14, 2010)

Building Permits issued for the month of June 2010 were $1,258,000 up substantially over the same period last year. (City of North Battleford, June 19, 2010)

The Battlefords was hit by a severe thunderstorm July 22nd. Several homes were flooded and a state of emergency declared. City Hall was also affected. Minister Yogi Huyghebaert was in the community to survey the damage the following day. (CJNB Radio)

Unity
Unity has been selected as one of five potential locations across Saskatchewan to become Riderville 2010. (CJNB Radio, July 21, 2010)

Kinistino
Access Communications, celebrated the launch of their cable and internet services in Kinistino. (Melfort Journal, July 13, 2010)

Melfort
In the first six months of 2010, the City of Melfort granted 55 building permits representing a value of $4,595,550 compared to 55 permits representing a value of $2,455,494 in the same period last year. The 55 permits included 41 residential permits, six commercial permits, one institutional permit, one permit listed as other, two mobile home permits and four demolitions. (Melfort Journal, July 13, 2010)

Prince Albert
The City of Prince Albert has introduced an eight dollar passenger user fee for the Prince Albert Airport in the hopes the airport will become self-sufficient and generate money for future expansion of the facility. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, July 23, 2010)

The new family addictions treatment facility in Prince Albert will be the first of its kind. The facility is geared toward females who are not getting treatment because child care is a barrier for them. The program will typically last six to eight weeks and provide a form of treatment for both the parent and child. The provincial government is footing the bill for the new centre. The initial building costs will be $9 million with $1.7 million a year for operating costs. Construction of the eight-suite building will begin soon. It is expected to be operational by the summer of 2012. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, July 20, 2010; Star Phoenix, July 20, 2010)

New hair salon, Novus Salon, has opened for business, featuring three hair stylists. The owner is Stacey Fenske. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, July 19, 2010)

Mike Botha, world renowned diamantaire of Embee Diamond Technologies (Embee), located in Prince Albert, has developed and patented a new cut of diamond named Sirius Star, whose cuts can attain 100 percent brilliance, where 93 percent is considered excellent. Most recently, Embee has secured a network of independent jewellers throughout Canada and the United States to carry the product. One of these jewellers is Bocian Jewellers in Prince Albert. Not only does Embee polish diamonds as its core business, it also develops technologies and has plans of running an academy to train retailers in diamond appraising skills. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, July 16, 2010)

The federal and provincial governments have announced two housing initiatives in Prince Albert for homeless adults coping with mental illness and low income young adults. Funding of $679,500 under Canada’s Economic Action Plan will go toward a Canadian Mental Health Association project, while a second project targeting the Prince Albert Métis Women’s Association received $770,000 through the Affordable Housing Initiative. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $75 million over two years to build new rental housing for persons with disabilities. (Government of Saskatchewan News Release, July 14, 2010)

Wakaw
Tan Essence, a new beauty salon will be open for business shortly. They offer tanning and all cosmetology services. (Wakaw Recorder, July 21, 2010)

Craven
The Craven Country Jamboree took place from July 15 to 18th. The Jamboree has been sold out for the past four years. The capacity is 23,500 people. There are about 7,500 camping spots in the general area and more than 1,600 reserved sites. Each year, the Jamboree turns Craven into the third largest town in the province. (Leader Post, July 14, 2010)

Indian Head
The family and staff of Bart and Lisa Horsman held the official opening of The Bakery and Coffee Shop located on Grand Avenue. (Indian Head – Wolseley, July 5, 2010)

Bigway Foods recently held their grand opening. (Indian Head – Wolseley, July 5, 2010)

Regina
Great Canadian Oil Change has opened a second location on Rochdale Boulevard. (Waterfront Press Regional, July 8, 2010)

According to Statistics Canada, Regina has the lowest unemployment rate in Canada. The June unemployment rate in Regina was 4.2 per cent, which was the lowest among the major cities across Canada. (Leader Post, July 10, 2010)

General Bio Energy, formerly Canadian Green Fuels, of Regina is moving away from its dependence on the biofuels market and expanding its product line to include conventional, even edible, oil products. General Bio Energy is manufacturing everything form environmental lubricants, including diesel fuel conditioners and penetrating oils made from canola, to gourmet food oil based on camelina, an oilseed similar to canola. General Bio Energy has also branched out to fossil fuels, purchasing a distributorship for Oil Mart, a Winnipeg based discount oil retailer. The company is also looking at manufacturing fish food and protein supplements for the livestock industry. (Leader Post, July 14, 2010)

As of July 15th, building permits for construction valued at $255.2 million have been issued by the City of Regina which is more than 10 per cent above the total in the same period last year. Non residential construction activity in Regina is also up by 13.1 per cent in the second quarter in 2010, compared with 2009. (Leader Post, July 17, 2010)

Work continues on the $1.9 billion expansion project at Consumers’ Co-operative Refineries Ltd. (Leader Post, July 20, 2010)

Construction continues on the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Training Depot facility. In addition to buildings, new roads and parking lots are also under construction. (Leader Post, July 21, 2010)

Sky High Travel Inc, located on 11th Avenue, closed their business at the end of June. (Leader Post, July 22, 2010)

Regina Beach
Hordos Insurance Brokers Inc., located on Centre Street, is celebrating their first anniversary. (Leader Post, July 19, 2010)

According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the 989 homes that have gone under construction in the Saskatoon census metropolitan area since January far surpasses the 342 houses that went under the hammer in the area during the first six months of 2009. The majority of the new homes, 707, are being built within Saskatoon city limits, with the remaining 282 residential units being built in surrounding communities. (Star Phoenix, July 10, 2010)

The Conference Board of Canada says housing starts in Saskatoon’s census metropolitan area will move up in the short term and down in the long term. CMHC statistics show the Saskatoon region noted 905 starts to the beginning of June last year and 1,698 starts to June 10 this year. (Star Phoenix, July 17, 2010)

Canada’s largest big city newspaper chain is under new ownership and management. Postmedia Network Inc. recently took full control of the publishing division; the sale included the Saskatoon based Star Phoenix and marks the end of the division’s six month stay in creditor protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act. (Star Phoenix, July 14, 2010)

International Road Dynamics Inc. (IRD), the Saskatoon based company, recently reported an increase in its revenues for the second quarter of 2010. With sales of $11.9 million, sales in the second quarter were 39.6 per cent higher than sales in the first quarter of this year. (Star Phoenix, July 15, 2010)

Saskatoon’s Titan Uranium Inc. recently completed a drill project at its Sheep Mountain project in Wyoming. The drilling had confirmed previously defined extended mineralized zones putting Titan in the position to finalize the design and engineering of the pit as part of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission license application. (Star Phoenix, July 16, 2010)

Golden Band Resources Inc. has 8,100 tonnes of high grade mineralized material with an average grade of 15.68 grams per tonne gold stockpiled at its Bingo gold deposit. The local company now estimates it has a stockpiled gold deposit of 4,000 ounces at the site. An additional 670 tonnes of high-grade material at Bingo is awaiting assay results. (Star Phoenix, July 16, 2010)

Vecima Networks Inc. has recently signed a supply agreement with the United States air force. The technology company will supply its VistaMAX wireless communications platform to the defense body. The platform opens access to the Internet so air force personnel can communicate with friends and relatives back home and abroad. (Star Phoenix, July 22, 2010)

Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. donated $300,000 to the Saskatoon Community Foundation, which provides grants to charitable organizations throughout the city. The foundation is allowed to award the money as it chooses, but will most likely go to groups that focus on youth and education, two main targets of PotashCorp. The donation of $300,000 will be paid out over three years with funds beginning to flow by the end of this year. (Star Phoenix, July 17, 2010)

The Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) has donated one million dollars to the University of Saskatchewan’s college of agriculture and bioresources. The fund will be specifically used for its phytotron renewal project to help upgrade the secure growth facility. (Star Phoenix, July 22, 2010)

Two Saskatoon companies have been named to the 2010 list of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People. Airline Hotels and Resorts Ltd. and Point2 Technologies Inc. were two out of the 50 companies accredited. (Star Phoenix, July 14, 2010)

Alfred Slinkard, a researcher at the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre, and student Ricky Sze Ho Lam were recently recognized with the Governor General’s Award in Celebration of the Nation’s Table. Slinkard received the award for creativity and innovation in his work developing new varieties of peas and lentils, which have since become major Canadian exports. Sze Ho Lam received the program’s Youth Award for his ongoing research into edible oils and fats. (Star Phoenix, July 14, 2010)

Saskatchewan Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (SYPE) have named two Saskatoon residents winners of the Silver Spades Award. Clayton Sparks, of Advance-Tek, won the SYPE Silver Spade Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year, while Carm Michalenko, of Affinity Credit Union, received the organization’s Ave of Spades Award. (Star Phoenix, July 14, 2010)

Celeste Mamchur, a local Edward Jones financial adviser, recently received both the Jack Phelan Award and the Jack Phelan Blue Blazer Award for outstanding sales and service efforts. The awards are named after the firm’s former national sales manager. (Star Phoenix, July 22, 2010)

Mike Barry has been named the new president for Saskatoon’s Vecima Networks Inc. YourLink division John Hannah has been named Vecima’s CFO. (Star Phoenix, July 22, 2010)

New Businesses:
Venice House 2 for 1 Pizza, owned by Victor Gorguis and Hikmet Gorguis. (Star Phoenix, July 10, 2010)
Finder’s Keeper’s Home Décor & Antiques, owned by Shelia Yuskiw. (Star Phoenix, July 10, 2010)
Babette’s Handbags, owned by Tracy Buller. (Star Phoenix, July 17, 2010)
A Curvy U, owned by Darlene Fulton. (Star Phoenix, July 17, 2010)

Kindersley
This summer, the town of Kindersley has issued building and development permits to the tune of $3.4 million. (The Clarion, July 14, 2010)

The residents of Kindersley and surrounding area are getting closer to transferring the land from the health region over to the new regional health authority. The facility will be constructed just north of the existing hospital. (The Clarion, July 7, 2010)

The Main Street Dental office is now open and booking appointments as of July 5. (The Crossroads, July 2, 2010)

Netherhill
The Village of Netherhill celebrated their 100th birthday in June. (The Crossroads, July 2, 2010)

Shaunavon
The Plaza Theatre celebrated 80 years of entertainment brought to the men, women and children of the community with first class cinema attractions. (The Shaunavon Standard, July 12, 2010)

The residents of Shaunavon once again have access to a recycling program. Pete Allen and Bree Goldstein Allen have reopened the depot as the new managers. (The Shaunavon Standard, July 13, 2010)

A group of leaders met with delegates from the United States(U.S.) in an ongoing effort to create a 24 hour commercial port at Climax/Turner. Canada and the U.S. are the world’s largest business partners and expanding hours of operation would improve economic opportunities for the region. (The Shaunavon Standard, July 13, 2010)

Southwest
PS International, a global pulse and oilseed trading company, hosted an Icebreaker Barbeque in July to announce they began operating out of the T & E Williamson Seed Plant at Pambrun. (The Southwest Booster, July 22, 2010)

Community Futures Southwest announced seven communities have been approved for their Community Beautification projects totally $10,070. Among the communities gaining approval are the Villages of Piapot, Ernfold, Success, Hodgeville and Val Marie. Also included in the approval was the Rural Municipality of Coulee for a project in McMahon. (The Southwest Booster, July 22, 2010)

Swift Current
The city of Swift Current issued 21 building permits in June for a total dollar value of $462,975. To date, building permits in the city stand at $14,809,670. (City of Swift Current, June 2010 Report)

After eight years as the Chief Administration Officer, Matt Noble has become the CEO in Merritt, British Columbia. Tim Marcus, Swift Current’s Finance Director, will assume Matt’s position until a permanent replacement is found. (Swift Current Online, July 21, 2010)

Swanberg Air has decided to take the summer off. They are still offering cargo services and are looking at advancing this service for the September 22nd reopening. (Swift Current Online, July 21, 2010)

MacMor Industries Ltd. officially announced their newest facility at the former Fire and Safety Centre in Swift Current. (The Southwest Booster, July 22, 2010)

Broadview
Darby and Lenore Bryant have purchased the Broadview Bakery from Ed and Gaylene Koolloos, who will be staying on to help with the business. (The Broadview Express, July 12, 2010)

Canora
The new Gateway Co-op Marketplace held their grand opening. (The Canora Courier, July 21, 2010)

The Town of Canora celebrated their 100th anniversary in July. (The Canora Courier, July 14, 2010)

Melville
Bradley and Cassie Hein have purchased Unique Expressions Studio from Debra Goebel. The hair shop also offers spa services, esthetics and a tanning bed. A grand opening took place. (The Melville Advance, July 14, 2010)

Moosomin
Cam and Walter Hutchinson and Kathy Kennedy have purchased Backlin’s Ambulance from Garry and Cindy Towler. They have changed the name to Hutch Ambulance Service. (The World-Spectator, Moosomin, July 12, 2010)

Yorkton
The LDM Foods canola crushing plant, which has been operational for three months, held their official grand opening. The approximate $130 million dollar plant employs 84 staff. (Yorkton This Week, July 21, 2010; The Western Producer, October 22, 2009)