It appears the economy of southern Grey, Bruce, and Northern Wellington counties is stalled, waiting for the economic recovery to arrive.
While major urban centres in Canada have seen a rebound from the recession fo 2008, the Saugeen Economic Development Corporation reports little evidence the recovery is here.
Business Manager Rose Austin says two bright notes in their latest snap-shot report on the economy are in real estate sales and construction.
Austin says home sales were up 68 per cent in the first quarter of 2010 compared with a year ago.
Average home prices rose 10.2 per cent to 212 thousand dollars.
Meanwhile, Auston says the value of construction permits issued in the Saugeen area rose nearly 43 per cent to 9.5 million.
However, other components in the report were negative.
The number of people collecting employment insurance rose 17 per cent from a year ago and the caseload of people getting social assistance jumped by over 19 per cent.
The Saugeen economid development corporation covers: Arran Elderslie, Brockton, Chatsworth, Grey Highlands, Hanover, Minto, South Bruce, Southgate, Wellington North and West Grey.
