Murray McNeill

Wpg.-area homebuilders busy again in June, Housing starts up 44 % from June '16 (496 vs. 344). Also up 82 % for 1st 6 months of '17. #wfp

Last month the 2nd busiest June in Winnipeg Realtors Assoc.'s history. 1,636 properties sold thru MLS. 2 shy of record set in June '16.#wfp

Mb. farmers planted a record 2.3 M acres of soybeans this yr. 9th consec, yr. that new record set. Canola and wheat still No. 1 & No 2. #wfp

Wpg.-based Richardson Int'l has made its 1st foray into Europe with the purchase of a U.K. oat milling co. for an undisclosed sum. #wfp

Mb.'s annual inflation fell to 1.0 % in May from 1.6 % in April, thanks in part to lower gasoline & natural gas prices, StatsCan says. #wfp

Sears Outlet in Garden City 1 of 59 the co. is closing in Cda. Closing dates not yet finalized. Other 3 stores In Wpg. remain open. #wfp

Lowe's finally makes it official. It's opening its 1st store in Mb. early next year on the s.e. corner of Kenaston & McGillivray blvds.#wfp

Mb. one of 2 provinces to post a decline in manufacturing sales in April. Sales down 0.2 % to $1.460 billion from $1.463 B in March. #wfp

Grant Park mall is adding another major tenant -- a Winners store. Store is set to open on Aug. 15 in the west wing of the mall. #wfp

Mb. posted a net gain of 2,700 new jobs in May. Still boasts the lowest jobless rate in the country at 5.3 %, new StatsCan data shows. #wfp

Local homebuilders are on a tear. Housing starts in Wpg. CMA up 81 % in May (y/y), and up 91 % for the 1st 5 months of 2017, CMHC says. #wfp

Building permit activity rebounded in Mb. in April. $202.4 M worth of permits issued. Up 11.5 % from March's $181.6 M, StatsCan says. #wfp

Wpg.'s resale-homes market was on fire in May, setting a new record for the most properties sold in a single month at 1,696. #breakingnews.

Wpg.'s economy is expected to grow by a solid 2.2% this year and by 2.3% in 2018, the Conf. Brd of Cda says. 2016's growth was 2.4 %. #wfp

Mb.'s annual inflation rate held steady at 1.6 % in April, StatsCan says. It also reported Mb.'s retail sales rose by 0.3 % in March. #wfp

New H&M store in Kildonan Place to open next Thursday -- 2 days after the grand opening of the new Marshalls/HomeSense superstore. #wfp

Building-permit activity down sharply in March in Mb. Value of permits issued down 31.5 % from Feb. to $181 M, StatsCan says. #breakingnews

MLS sales last month down 5 % frm April 2016's record total, but still 2% above the 10-yr aver. for April, Wpg. Realtors say. #breakingnews.

Pace of inflation eased last month in Mb. Annual inflation rate dropped to 1.6 % from 2.3% in Feb., StatsCan says. #breakingnews

More than a dozen reporters and cameramen on hand for the sneak peak tour. Shows what a big deal new mall will be. #breaking news.