The Planning Manager for Hanover says building activity has been strong this year in the municipality.

Jeremy Neufeld says when COVID-19 first hit Manitoba, Hanover saw a slowdown in construction. But, he notes that very quickly picked up again and things do not appear to be letting up.

Overall, there have been 331 permits taken out this year, totalling $52.2 million. By comparison, through nine months last year there were 277 total permits, for $42.4 million.

When you narrow it down to new housing starts, the numbers are a little closer. There were 103 permits taken out between January 1st and September 30th this year, compared to 98 during the same time last year. The value of new housing starts this year is $27.5 million, up from $25.6 million a year ago.

Of those 103 new housing starts, 44 have been in Kleefeld.

"The absolute hotbed of building activity for new housing this year has been Kleefeld," shares Neufeld.

He notes that works out to a 12.4 per cent growth rate over nine months.

"I think it's safe to say that even beyond my years, Kleefeld has never seen a growth rate like this," he says. "It's been absolutely amazing to see how much activity is going on in the community."

Mitchell has had 24 new housing starts this year, Blumenort has had seven, New Bothwell four and then the rural area has had 24.

Meanwhile, Neufeld says it is tough to know whether the momentum they have felt the last number of months will carry over into the last quarter of 2020. He notes weather will be a huge determining factor, but so will the availability of building material.

"When I talk to people who are in the trades, when I talk to people at the building centres, that's the question, can we get what we need to do the project?" he says. "Optimistically, absolutely, I think we're going to continue to see more growth."