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Reporting on growing Halton's economy in 2015 H alton Region is committed to supporting and sustaining a strong local economy in this region. When businesses locate in Halton, they are choosing one of the best places to do business in Canada. Businesses in our area benefit from a deep talent pool of professionals, proximity to leading educational institutions, easy access to major markets and a high quality of life that is second to none. Highlighting business investment Recently, Halton presented the Economic Development ­ Economic Review 2015 report, which highlights the business investment in our region and shows how we are performing from an economic development standpoint. By working together with our local municipalities and key community partners, we have again accomplished impressive results. Unemployment rate In 2015, the unemployment rate in Halton averaged 5.3 per cent, significantly lower than both the provincial rate (6.8 per cent) and national rate (6.9 per cent). Halton's labour force participation rate was 70.4 per cent, well above the provincial and national averages. Halton remains a hotspot for employment construction. 7 | Thursday, May 26, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Gary Carr Halton Region Chair Major business developments There were also a number of major Haltonrelated business developments in 2015. These included: the new state-of-the-art 1.6-million-sq.-ft. Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital; the official opening of the new 1.3-million-sq.-ft. Lowe's Canada's Distribution Centre in the Town of Milton; a new $12.8 million industrial development by Cogent Power in the City of Burlington; and, a $26 million investment by Broccolini Construction Inc. for a new warehouse building in the Town of Halton Hills. The 2015 Economic Review continues to be an important vehicle for documenting and explaining the significant economic and business investment activities that are taking place across our region. By planning for today and tomorrow, Halton Region will continue to support its vibrant and growing business community. To download an electronic version of the full economic report, or to learn more about what makes the Region of Halton a great place to invest and do business, please visit halton.ca/business. Building permit construction Halton's total building permit construction value was $1.79 billion, an increase of 17.4 per cent over 2014 and nearly 33.5 per cent since 2011. We also saw nearly 5.07 million sq. ft. of employment development floor area constructed in 2015, an increase of 89 per cent over 2014. Housing resale market Halton's housing resale market also remained strong for the last decade with sales increasing 186 per cent since 2005, and resale house prices rising 68 per cent to just more than $665,000 on average in 2015. O.T.H.S. REUNION Friday May 27 · Featuring Project 360 · Wednesday Night Trivia · Family Pub · Open for Lunch · Sports Teams Welcome Proud supporter of the Oakville Rangers · Trip Advisor's highest rated Oakville pub at The Pipes & Taps Saturday Nights Live Entertainment Taunton Rd. 231 Oak Park Blvd, Oakville The Pipes & Taps 289-863-1155 Oak Park Blvd. Hays Blvd Oak Park Blvd Pools, Spas and Leisure Products Replacement pool lineRs* 12' 14' 16' 18' 20' X X X X X 24' 28' 32' 36' 40' Rect Rect Rect Rect Rect 999 1199 $ 1399 $ 1599 $ 1999 $ $ Replacement pool heateR* $1,099 fRom Your backyard dreams start here 905.815.5252 AbOVE GROUND pOOLS INSTALLED fROm $2299 HOT TUbS fROm $1599 504 IROQUOIS SHORE ROAD, UNIT #1, OAKVILLE, ON L6H 3K4 *Limited time offer, No dealers please, Quantities Limited *Restrictions apply check in-store for details, not applicable on prior sales. Products may not be exactly as shown. www.leisureindustries.ca Trafalgar Rd This week featuring: Trash Pandas Dundas St.