Remaking 1st St., building a wastewater treatment plant, connecting Morden and Winkler with a two-way path, expanding the skate park, and talks about incorporating some kind of public transit into the area, the City of Morden is eager to become even more alluring in order to reach 15,000 residents by 2020.

With a number of projects underway or on the horizon for Morden taxes, have remained steady with no word from the Mayor about raising them in his state of the city address delivered last week Thursday.

"We have money in reserve and some projects are funded partially by the provincial and federal governments," said Morden Mayor, Ken Wiebe.

A lot of big announcements came down including the possibility of public transit for the region, a new sculpture for the city, and potentially a controlled intersection at Hwy 3 and the Pembina Connection

"We always know these projects will be coming up, so we set money aside."

While Morden has taken out some loans to help with funding, it's still well below the allowed debt.

Specifically on 1st St., sewer and water lines are being replaced with the future waste water treatment plant in mind. Resurfacing the street will follow the underground maintenance.

Wiebe also spoke about the immigration destination that Morden is becoming. Families from Europe, Russia, The Philippines, and South America, 14 in total, are making their way to the city. These people are vetted to insure they have qualifications to find gainful employment in the Pembina Valley, then they and their families receive support to make the move to Canada through the Morden Immigration Initiative.

"There are quite a bit of criteria they have to meet in order to come under that program," said Wiebe.

Another highlight is the possibility of another Bruce-like sculpture being erected in Morden. No details were released but Wiebe did say funds were already put aside and "plans" were being made. What this sculpture is and where it will stand are not yet known.

"The year is one third gone, and we've made quite a bit of headway," Wiebe said.

"We have a fair bit of construction happening in the city of Morden, more to come, so we're looking forward to the next year and to see how everything shakes out."

The mill rate will remain the same as it was in 2016, holding at 18.53 for the year. This is down from 20.07 in 2015.

"Things are looking very, very positive," said Wiebe. "I'm upbeat; I'm feeling good about it all."