Steinbach is on track for one of the best totals in the past five years when it comes to building permits. Over $6 million in permits were issued in November bringing the total for the year to over $51 million. With December numbers still to come, that is just behind last year's $57 million dollars in permits which was the best year since 2013. In moving acceptance of the building permits this week, Deputy Mayor Michael Zwaagstra noted that development this year has been significant.

"$51 million in total building permits is obviously a strong year for the city. We'll see what the final numbers are at the end of December."

The biggest permits in November include one for $1.8 million for a new 16-unit apartment along Brandt Street behind Tim Horton's and another for $1.7 million for a strip mall in the new Steinbach North Business Park along Highway #12, just north of Big Freight.

Councillor Damien Penner welcomes the continued commercial development in the city.

"I just want to note that it's good to see that we are getting some more commercial space opening up on the north side of town. It's something that we are all passionate about, seeing more business come to Steinbach. I'm glad to see that moving along."

There were 22 housing starts in November raising the total for the year to 148, making it the second-best year for housing starts in the past five years.