Optimism is in the air at Moose Jaw's L & I Electric Ltd.
In fact, company owner and operator Larry Munroe is running with that optimism and is currently expanding his 580 Lillooet St. W. business's storage capacity.
"If there wasn't a bunch of work, one couldn't afford to do that," he said on Thursday.
A combination of increased construction work, as well as higher tourism business at local hotels and shops (which increases those businesses' need for electric services) has resulted in his current success.
As well, Munroe does maintenance work for several large local employers, such as Casino Moose Jaw, the City of Moose Jaw, Co-op and 15 Wing.
According to a Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) report released on Wednesday, Munroe isn't alone in his optimism.
A monthly CFIB business barometer report indicates Saskatchewan small business owners are the most optimistic in Canada. The barometer is based on surveys with small business owners.
Based on a business-optimism scale (from one to 100), the report states Saskatchewan small business confidence increased from 69.2 in June to 70.6 in July. This figure is well ahead of the 58.6 average national index.
Further, the CFIB report indicates 62 per cent of Saskatchewan businesses say the overall state of business is good, while nationally just 33 per cent of businesses share that sentiment.
Marilyn Braun-Pollon, CFIB vice-president for Saskatchewan and agribusiness, said four years ago Saskatchewan had the lowest business optimism index in the country. However, around 2006 when the NDP government lowered corporate taxes, that negativity started to fade.
"That was the beginning of optimism turning around," she told the Times-Herald.
Higher commodity prices and business-friendly policy by the current Saskatchewan Party government have increased the optimism to the point where it is the highest in Canada, she added.
"I think all eyes are on Sask-atchewan."
Brian Martynook, Moose Jaw and District Chamber of Commerce executive director, said business optimism is rampant throughout the Friendly City.
"The economy is still going strong and there's a good tourism base," he said.
Local businesses are generally not looking at employment reductions and there is strong hope by the business community that XL Beef will re-open in Moose Jaw in the fall, Martynook added.
Chamber members have indicated this summer is a good one business-wise, with good tourism numbers bringing economic traffic into the city.
Munroe said another reason he decided to expand L & I Electric is because his two sons have decided to stay in Moose Jaw and work for the company rather than find jobs in Alberta.
Carter Haydu can be reached at 691-1265.
