The latest 2017 building permit numbers for the Municipality of Rhineland are in and Reeve Don Wiebe says Council is encouraged by the strong economic activity outlined in the update.

"This year is exceptionally strong," he said.

Wiebe explained that a typical year usually brings in around $7 million in building permit values, however that number so far for 2017 is more than doubled at about $17 million. "This is an incredible increase," he added, noting this figure equates to about 19 housing starts within the municipality.

The municipality previously reported about $13.6 million in building permits were issued through the end of July. These latest numbers indicate values have increased about $4 million dollars in just two-and-a-half months.

Meantime, Wiebe is commending Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation. He said Council is quite impressed with the amount of road improvement and re-conditioning projects that have happened this fall within the municipality.

Wiebe pointed to the resurfacing of PTH 201 west of Altona and the reconstruction of PTH 14 east of Plum Coulee. He added however, there were several small, special projects that were completed as well.

"Like...upgrading the main street through Rosenfeld, the Horndean service road and some real extensive patching in our villages. And then we also did a joint dust control project with the pavement on the 306 near Plum Coulee."

Wiebe extends a special 'thank-you' to the highways department for all of its hard work this year.