It has been an intense couple of years for Windsor's economy, but now the Conference Board of Canada predicts it will cool off some.
The board did not include the Windsor Metropolitan Area in its fall report, but Senior Economist Robin Wiebe said he predicts two per cent growth for 2019, and 1.4 per cent next year.
That comes after four years of steady, strong growth.
"A three per cent is strong GDP growth," said Wiebe. "And there were a couple of years there, back in 2015, for instance, where it was closer to four per cent."
As the economy slows, as does job growth. Wiebe expects the number of positions to contract by 2,000 in 2020, a fall from 172,000 jobs to 170,000.
"That's still going to leave Windsor pretty high by past standards," he added.
Much of those losses will come from the anticipated loss of the third shift at the Windsor Assembly Plant and the closure of Nemak's operation in the middle of next year.
However, Wiebe said international firms are starting to take notice of the city and what it has to offer. He noted APAG of Switzerland, which makes electronics and lights for the automotive industry, and KAWTH of Germany, which hopes to hire 350 workers.
Housing starts have been slower this year with fewer than 900 units expected by year's end, but they are expected to pick up again next year with another 1,000 new homes built. Construction on the Gordie Howe International Bridge will also bolster the construction industry when it kicks into high gear in 2020.
"New residential construction is a pretty good bellwether of a region's economy because it indicates people are moving there and need housing," said Wiebe.
He noted housing prices had increased steadily by double-digits year over year for the past four years.
Halifax is expected to get a boost from a wave of new immigrants settling in that city, and Wiebe said Windsor, too, is seeing a spike in settlers from other countries. There were 6,300 in 2018, the highest number since 1987. Immigration is expected to remain positive this year and next with another 1,700 choosing to start their lives as Canadians in the city.
Windsor will be profiled in a report expected in January.
