The upcoming expansion of the Portage la Prairie Planning District office means another agency is on the move. The 600 square foot expansion of the building's set to begin October, with the intention to have the project completed early next year. Once complete, the planning district will also house Portage Regional Economic Development.

Portage City Councillor and Planning and Economic Development Chair Liz Driedger says making the move has benefits for those looking to start up, or expand a business in the city. She says this move has been in the works for a few years, with the goal of creating a one-stop shop for potential businesses. Driedger says they've seen instances in the past where a business visits the PRED officer, only the be forced to set up a second meeting at the planning district office.

"To have them under one roof would just eliminate the potential developer to have to visit another site. This is just basically walking down the hall or sitting down with the director of the planning district as well as the director of PRED, then have the three of them sit down together. It just eliminates another meeting."

The current PRED location on Royal Road houses two other organizations --the Portage la Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce, and the Portage Community Revitalization Corporation. Driedger says the move of PRED has been communicated to those groups, and they're aware they may need to seek out a new location.

"We have notified the tenants of our intentions and we'll see how that goes. I think in the long run we're looking at selling the building."

The expansion of the planning district will include three small offices, as well as some improvements to accessibility at the site.