The RM of Ritchot had a big year for new home construction in 2017. Mayor Chris Ewen says 76 new single-family homes were built last year.

"That is equivalent to the 2015 and 2016 years combined, so that is an outstanding number for us. And then there were also duplexes, additions and commercial developments so we surpassed what we did in the 2016 and 2015 years so we're very happy with the numbers."

Ewen says the two leading communities for new housing development are St. Adolphe and Grande Pointe. He adds while he does not have any hard data on where the people are coming from, in talking with what he calls 'new locals', they tell him they are relocating from the Winnipeg region to Ritchot.

Ewen notes while it's still early in 2018, there could be another big year coming.

"The planning and development committees that I'm sitting on, we see a lot of potential, but nothing is set in stone. I'm very positive for the 2018 year that it's going to be greater than 2017. But we still have a few months to go before we start developing and building."

Ritchot issued 148 building permits last year worth $36.5 million. That was up from 139 permits worth $26.2 million the year before.