There is another sign the economy in Windsor-Essex is improving.

The Conference Board of Canada predicts the region will enjoy economic growth of 2.5 per cent this year.

That is the highest in the country, along with Oshawa.

The report says Windsor will maintain its string of solid advances this year thanks to the continued revival of the key manufacturing sector. Driven by the auto industry and strong U.S. vehicle sales growth, the local manufacturing sector has expanded for seven consecutive years, posting average annual output growth of 6.8 per cent over 2014-16.’

The report goes on to say the rebound in manufacturing has also helped lift the fortunes of the construction industry, and the transportation and warehousing sector.

Alan Arcand, the Associate Director at the board’s Centre for Municipal Studies says in a media release “The weaker Canadian dollar and solid U.S. demand continue to provide a lift to many Southwestern and Eastern Ontario metropolitan economies, especially their export-oriented manufacturing industries."