The City of Moose Jaw has partnered with both the Moose Jaw Chamber of Commerce and the Moose Jaw and District Regional Economic Development Authority (REDA) to develop a strong business and economic environment in Moose Jaw.
Moose Jaw(population 34,156) is an urban centre with historic charm, a wealth of heritage and culture and a name remembered around the world.
It is located 175 km from the U.S. Border nestled in a picturesque valley where the Moose Jaw River and Thunder Creek River meet.
Primary industries include agriculture, including cereal, pulse, and special crops, cattle and hogs; manufacturing and processing; mining; service and retail.
Main businesses are CPR, XL Foods, Mosaic Company, The Canadian Salt Co., Saskatchewan Minerals, Doepker Industries Ltd., Bombardier, Saskferco Products, General Cable, and Moose Jaw Refinery.
Home of the Snowbirds, Canada's Flight Aerobatic Demonstration Team, NFTC (NATO Flying Training in Canada Program) and the Saskatchewan Headquarters for the CPR.
Moose Jaw is situated on the CP Rail mainline; the largest rail terminal between Winnipeg and Calgary. The Soo Line, also operated by CP Rail, provides Moose Jaw with direct freight access to Minneapolis and Chicago. The city is connected to three major highways providing access to all major North American markets.
Moose Jaw is a thriving, vibrant and progressive community with positive economic indicators. Our predications remain strong for increases in employment, commercial development and tourism. The following is a sample of the economic highlights of the Moose Jaw region. Highlights include(Source: Moose Jaw REDA, 2008) :
- The population of the City of Moose Jaw in 2007 was 34,156 according to Saskatchewan Covered Health Statistics.
- The value of building permits issued in 2007 was $40,859,200, an all time high. This represents an increase of 13.5% over 2006. There were 261 residential permits issued worth $24,738,700. The Industrial, Commercial and Government sectors accounted for 60 permits totaling $16,120,500.
- According to numbers released by the City of Moose Jaw, 190 residential lots were sold, by the City in 2007 and an additional 18 lots were sold by Moose Jaw realtors.
- The average house price for 2007 was $129,043 up 28% over 2006. The average selling price of a home in March 2008 was $160,252 - 24% above March 2007. The number of houses sold in 2007 increased by 37% over 2006. Moose Jaw remains one of the most affordable housing markets among prairie cities with a population above 25,000.
- The City sold out of lots in 2007. Ninety-four lots will be available for construction in the Westheath subdivision in 2008. In addition builders own a number of lots where they have sales for new homes for the 2008 construction season. The City has approved the development of 600 lots in the new West Park subdivision which will be ready for construction in 2009.
- According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Rental Market statistics released in December 2007, Moose Jaw’s vacancy rates fell from 4.7% in 2006 to 1.6% in 2007. The average rent was $522.
- The 2008 KPMG Competitive Alternatives Study ranked Moose Jaw #1 for cost competitiveness for the North American Midwest, 4th in Canada and 12th overall for twelve operations among the 136 cities studied from the ten countries included in the analysis.
- Terra Grain Fuels, a $140 million dollar ethanol plant just 23 kilometres east of Moose Jaw is nearing completion. The project generated 150 construction jobs and will commence operations in May 2008 employing 40 full-time positions.
- Financial Post Markets - Canadian Demographics, estimates 2008 retail sales of $600.68 million, 38% above the national average.
- School enrollment within the City showed 1,632 students in the Holy Trinity School Division #22 and 4,210 students in the Prairie South School Division #210.
- SIAST Palliser Campus opened a $3.9 million upgrade for five multi-functional Smart classrooms and a redeveloped instrumentation division
- Additional information is available that further verifies, describes and details Moose Jaw's strong economic climate and prospect for the future.
- 2007 Statistics Canada figures indicate the City has 1,079 employers and a labour force of 19,000 workers between the ages of 15 and 65 with a participation rate of 70.1% and an unemployment rate of 6.8%. This represents an increase of 6.7% or 1,200 jobs in the City in 2007.
- Training of employees was a priority for employers and educational institutions in 2007 as $223,758 was contributed by government and $589,709 was contributed by business to fund 32 employee skills development projects.
- Moose Jaw has proven to be a very attractive and competitive place to live and do business. 2008 Financial Post Markets - Canadian Demographics estimates per capita income at $26,123 with average household income of $61,291 – 10% below the national average.
- The Obasa Group, a freight and real estate business opened their 501 Mall. Located on the corner of Fifth Avenue and High Street NW in 2007. It boasts a 147,000 square foot space ideal for storage, cross-docking, warehousing, and retail space.
- Mosaic Company has announced annual increased capacity at Belle Plaine of 120,000 and 360,000 metric tonnes by 2010 and 2012 respectively and a further expansion of 1.5 million metric tones 2014 – 2017 at a total cost of $2.0 Billion.
- Saskferco plans an $84 million expansion with increased production of urea and ammonia.
- Moose Jaw Refinery has plans to expand in 2008 introducing an expanded range of refined fuel products. Sales outside of Canada increased by 84% in 2007.
- TransCanada held an open house in Moose Jaw to inform the public of their plans to build a polygeneration plant in the RM of Pense. This would be the largest industrial project in the history of Saskatchewan.
- Investors have purchased the old Castle Winery facility.
- A $19.3 million dollar expansion to the Moose Jaw Union Hospital has been approved by the City.
- A new manufacturing business, Best Building, opened in Moose Jaw in 2007. The business expects to create up to 30 new jobs.
- Doepker Industries has expanded their operations in Moose Jaw with the purchase of a new 100,000 square foot facility.
- Simpson Seeds undertook a $1 million expansion for a new pulse splitting line at their Highway #1 location. One of only five in Canada, the plant will split red lentils, chickpeas and green lentils.
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