Despite a slow start to the year, development is once again in full force in the city and RM of Portage la Prairie. The latest planning numbers show a significant boost in permits issued in April, compared to just one month earlier. Portage la Prairie Planning District Development Officer Kinelm Brookes notes a number of housing starts in April valued at more than $1.8 million is part of the reason for the boost.

"Our last month we had eight new housing starts, so that's a really good start for us for April. It was nice to see that. Single residential was a big one, also industrial we had a $1.7 million project as well. That was nice to see, it brings the numbers up lots."

April saw 36 permits valued at $4.2 million, compared to just 19 valued at $848,000 in March. The total value of permits for 2016 is just under $6.4 million, and Brookes notes that slightly below what was seen at this time last year.

"It's a little less than last year, it was just over $8.5 million last year, but it's still good. $6.4 million for up until the end of April, that's just four months of the year, so that's a good indication."

Planning and Economic Development Chair and City Councillor Liz Driedger says it's always good to see a number of housing starts. However, she notes it's hard to pinpoint an exact reason for the boost, but says it could be because the younger generation is buying homes earlier.

"I think we're seeing a lot more people buying their first home before they're really settled down. They see it as a good investment and they start at the bottom, with their first home. Those people are moving into some of the older houses and of course the people who live there have to go somewhere else."

Four months into 2016 Portage has already seen more 10 housing starts, valued at a total of $2,379,000, and Brookes hopes to see those numbers grow throughout the remainder of the year.