Out in front

A recent drive through MacDougall's Road revealed three excavators at work on the same day, plus lots of evidence of repair and renovations underway at dozens of cabins and summer homes.

A look around Port aux Basques will show new additions, decks, windows, paint and shingles going on a lot of homes.

This is more than just a can of new paint for the kitchen or bathroom - this is significant spending on renovations, repair and remodeling. The building supply stores are busy, with lines of people with a list of needed supplies forming early most weekend mornings.

The streets are full of traffic, grocery isles are crowded, restaurants are busy and line-ups greet shoppers in many local stores.

It's almost hard to tell we're in a recession.

But the country has lost 483,000 full-time jobs since the start of the recession, and some of those losses no doubt have impacted southwest coast families.

Some people who have worked in western Canada for several years haven't been called back and others hoping to get their start in Alberta are still waiting for the jobs to reappear. Others have seen different impacts, such as losses in their savings.

But there is money being spent in the local economy. Job ads are still appearing locally, as are some new small businesses.

Recession or not, it seems as if many southwest coast residents have decided to move ahead with summer plans, be they home renovations or vacation activities.

So have many local communities. Capital works projects are going full-steam ahead in many towns. Other ideas are a little closer to reality through some of the stimulus spending in which both levels of government are engaged.

That boost in infrastructure is good for everyone. It means better water, sewer and roads, among other improvements.

Those are good signs. Canada is supposed to lead the pack when it comes to economic recovery, and some analysts say Newfoundland and Labrador will be among the first provinces to see recovery.

Maybe the southwest coast will also be out in front. It's a nice place to be.

editor@gulfnews.ca