mayor jun11

Swift Current Mayor Jerrod Schafer

A couple of recent reports indicate positive economic activity in Swift Current.

Rental vacancy rates have dropped and the most recent job numbers saw a significant boost in the labour force and number of jobs, but Mayor Jerrod Schafer says for the most part they've avoided the excessively low vacancy rates that have hit elsewhere.

The rental vacancy rate in the city dropped to 2.8% this year, still well above rental property-starved areas like Estevan and Regina.

"Vacancy rates, affordable living and rental properties have been a huge issue throughout the province, and we've actually been fairly fortunate in Swift Current that the situation hasn't become quite as dire as it has in other communities," Schafer said. "With that being said, low vacancy rates is a problem, but it's a good problem to have.

"We've got a lot of construction still in the queue and underway, and it shows that there is demand for it," he added. "It shows that there is population migrating into our community, and we're thankful that we've got investors that are willing to believe in our community and continue to move forward with construction."

Schafer says some apartments are going up on South Railway Street and he expects another big announcement soon.

The Swift Current/Moose Jaw area also saw an increase in 1500 jobs from April to May. Schafer doesn't know how much of that hits the city itself, but he feels the arrows are pointing in the right direction.

Shawn Mullin talked with Jerrod Schafer about the reports: