Saskatchewan-Manitoba

This optimism is shared by Mark Kolt, municipal administrator in the town of 5,250. He said the more mining companies, both big and small, that commit to drilling more exploration holes, the better off Flin Flon will be.

Flin Flon, Manitoba, home to HudBay Minerals, may soon have another large copper mine if recent findings from cutting-edge exploration pan out.

Saskatchewan saw record-setting growth over the past five years, with an increase in population of 65,224 being the highest since Statistics Canada began tracking population trends in 1956.

Estevan-based Spectra Credit Union is looking for a merger partner or co-operative partnership opportunities, according to Tim Schroh, the credit union's chief executive officer.

Saskatchewan's strong economy is drawing workers and their families from around the world and the trend is permanently colouring the demographic picture of Canada's third-fastest-growing province.

Saskatoon's entire commercial real estate sector should remain strong this year, according to a forecast from Colliers International, but it is the office market that will lead the pace.

Eacom sold the mill on an "as is, where is" basis to B.C.-based Carrier Forest Products for $7.5 million in 2011. Last summer, Premier Brad Wall flew into Big River to announce Carrier would re-establish a mill complex.

Ed Huebert, executive vice-president of the Mining Association of Manitoba, said the mayor should be optimistic as scientific evidence points toward an extension of the ancient volcanic rock that is the basis of all the mines in the nearby Flin Flon

While Saskatchewan rural residents continue to decamp for the city, according to the latest Census numbers, the value of their farms is increasing faster than anywhere else in the country.

Manitoba is poised to set an all-time annual record for building-permit values after non-residential construction permits soared 64 per cent in 2011, according to Statistics Canada.