Even in the face of a possible global economic slowdown, the Saskatoon region continues to lead the country as the fastest growing city in Canada.  Highlights from the SREDA Quarter 3 report include:

* Retail and Wholesale Trade and Construction sectors pushing the projected gross domestic product (GDP) growth for 2008 to 5.2 per cent

* approximately 2,000 more people were working in the region during July, August and September 2008 than during the same time period in 2007

* population growth also increased in the region over the summer, with people moving to the city in advance of finding work

* residential construction investment in the region has continued to outperform 2007 numbers. Permit values are 25 per cent higher than in the third quarter of last year, due to heightened construction activity in the city’s surrounding communities

* the value of nonresidential construction investment grew by 300 per cent compared to the third quarter of 2007, with regional commercial and industrial building investment driving the market.

“We are a part of a global business community,” says Alan Migneault, CEO of SREDA. “We will see some impact from the global financial turmoil, but the Quarter 3 results continue to demonstrate strong fundamentals that will help make our economy resilient in the coming months.”

To view or download the entire report, visit www.sreda.com.