Regina’s economy isn’t yet running all cylinders according to Regina’s leading business development agency.
In fact, the latest economic report card through Economic Development Regina shows a mixed bag of results compared to this time last year.
In the first two quarters of 2018, employment increased by roughly 750 positions. But other indicators declined — housing starts dropped by 140 units and building permits declined by 8.1 per cent.
But there is still reason for optimism in the report.
The population of the Regina Census Metropolitan Area, which includes some of the bedroom communities outside of the city, was up 2.4 per cent over 2016 to 253,220 on the strength of international and intraprovincial migration.
The report stated, “this can be expected to continue through 2018 with continued, although slowing, employment growth spurring further in-migration.”
As well, The Conference Board of Canada forecasts Regina’s economy to post a 2.2 per cent real GDP gain in 2018, following a 1.5 per cent increase in 2017.
The report can be found online.