The south side of Blumenort is abuzz with construction activity.

Bob Brandt is the Blumenort area Councillor for the Rural Municipality of Hanover. He says for a handful of years now, they have been working on opening a development there that meets the needs of both the residential and commercial markets. The end result is a 63 lot subdivision.

According to Century 21, this is the largest single phase development that Waldo Neustaedter has ever done. It is comprised of 14 single-family lots, 20 two-family lots, 15 multi-family lots and then 14 industrial lots. The industrial lots make up the eastern portion of that development, while the residential component is then further west.

"He's done a fantastic job with promoting the community and getting commercial development going there," says Brandt. "I take my hat off to Century 21 for the good job they've done."

Bob Brandt and Curt Reimer at the site of the new build by Agassiz Concrete Pumping.Brandt says a high percentage of the lots are already sold. And he notes construction is moving at a brisk pace, with one of the four 8-plexes already well along. Brandt says it is his belief that over the next two years, that development will fill up.

The Blumenort Councillor says there is a "huge need" for both housing and commercial development in Blumenort. He notes with Blumenort being located off a four-lane highway and its proximity to Winnipeg, this is attracting business. Plus, he says tax levels in their community are very reasonable.

"We are very thankful for all the businesses in there," says Brandt. "There is probably already over fifteen hundred jobs in the town."

Brandt says the new commercial buildings going up is a mixture of businesses relocating to Blumenort and then some businesses that are building bigger.

The population of Blumenort was 1,675 following the 2016 Census. Brandt says they believe today their population is up to 2,150 individuals. He notes this growth is not only from families getting larger or from residents moving back to the community they grew up in, but it is also happening from newcomers taking up residence for the first time in Blumenort. And, this is changing the makeup of their community.