#3 on our list of the top 10 2018 local stories goes to arguably the biggest economic announcement Moose Jaw has seen in years, the new SaskPower plant that will be built in the Friendly City's Industrial Park.

News of the plant broke in the summer, but it was only recently that the plan was confirmed, with 2018 ending on a high note with SaskPower announcing we are the preferred site for a brand new $700 million power generation site.

The city is still buzzing after the news that SaskPower has selected Moose Jaw as the preferred site. The final paperwork on a $615,000 option to purchase 110 acres directly north of the sewage lagoons for the plant was signed December 21st to the delight of Mayor Fraser Tolmie.

"People got together, we rallied and we advocated on behalf of the citizens of Moose Jaw to bring this project to the forefront and come to an understanding that this is a great project for the City of Moose Jaw and the area surrounding it," Tolmie had exclaimed. 

Around 600 jobs will be created to build the plant that will use natural gas and steam to generate electricity. It was a bit of a lucky break for Moose Jaw too, as SaskPower Director of Generation Assessment and Planning Doug Opseth says we weren't even on the original list.

"We started with 14 projects and through a bunch of work, we narrowed it down to three specific locations," said Opseth. "Then in 2016, we were approached by the city of Moose Jaw with a concept that you were looking to set up a new industrial park and you came to us and said that this might be a really good location for the project."

We also know how much the plant will benefit the city, as Swift Current has one being built near their municipality. Their Mayor, Denis Perrault, even congratulated the City on their new partnership with SaskPower. The plant has been a financial boon for them, as many of the plant workers have been staying in Swift, buying or renting houses, staying in hotels, eating in their local restaurants, and even being charitable. 

"Keep your arms open and be welcoming," suggested Perrault when asked for advice on the project. "You will be seeing people from different places from around the world... be welcoming to them. They've enjoyed being in Swift and I'm sure they'll enjoy being in the Friendly City as well."