Humboldt, SK

Growth Ahead in the Iron Triangle

Strategically Located to Attract Further Industry, Residents, and Businesses

In the center of Saskatchewan’s Iron Triangle lies Humboldt, a quiet community where life is simple, and opportunities are everywhere. “We’re not too big and not too small,” Mayor Rob Muench describes. “We’re a friendly, welcoming community, a really good place to raise a family.”

Located just an hour from Saskatoon, Humboldt combines small city charm with big city conveniences. Residents enjoy a range of services and plentiful employment options, making it the kind of place where people can truly thrive. With approximately 6,500 residents and a catchment area of nearly 30,000 people within a 50-kilometer radius, the city is also a hub for the surrounding region.

A Downtown with Character

One of Humboldt’s most distinctive features is its historic downtown corridor, known for its interesting architectural style. “The region was settled by predominantly people of German ancestry back in the early 1900s,” portrays the mayor. “So, several years ago, the Chamber of Commerce decided to adopt a German theme. We built a lot of the architecture in the community around that theme. And it really makes our downtown unique compared to most others in the province.”

Ongoing downtown revitalization is guided by a master plan developed in collaboration with the Business Improvement District. “We’ve been checking off the list of items each year,” Muench shares. “We’ve started on what we call the South Main Street area, doing boulevard improvements, planting trees, and that type of thing.”  An earlier project introduced decorative lighting, paving stones, benches, and additional greenery to Seventh Street, another downtown area.

“As time and funding permit, I’m hoping that we’re going to extend that onto the main couple of blocks on our Main Street area,” he notes. “The problem is that a lot of our infrastructure is approaching 100 years old or over. So it’s one of those things where we have to do the underground stuff first before we can finish off what’s visible on the top.”

Marketing and Development Manager Jarrett Delbridge emphasizes that the groundwork being laid today will support a stronger commercial core tomorrow. He says the city is forecasting road restructuring within the next five years, after which the downtown plan can be finalized. For now, collaboration is key. “I’m working pretty closely with the Chamber of Commerce and the BID and local financiers,” he says. “We are trying to find solutions that will incentivize business owners to come to our downtown core and operate in that area as well.”

The downtown plan highlights the need for niche markets such as boutiques, restaurants, and entertainment venues, businesses that add vibrancy and encourage foot traffic. “Some of the things we’re looking into are offering or finding financial grants that help young entrepreneurs,” Delbridge details. “Once we do those infrastructure upgrades, it will be likely that the BID and other organizations that have funds to contribute will begin to start that process.”

Top Tier Education and Healthcare

Humboldt’s commitment to healthcare and education strengthens its quality of life and long-term growth.

Residents benefit from a modern, fully equipped hospital offering high-quality acute care close to home, supported by a full network of physicians and allied health professionals. The community also takes pride in its compassionate long-term care facilities.

Education is equally robust. Carlton Trail College provides accessible post-secondary education, skills training, and workforce development, while St. Peter’s College, affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan, offers university-level programming in a close-knit setting. Three local elementary ( K–8) schools and one High School deliver strong academic and extracurricular opportunities that foster achievement and community involvement.

Complemented by a wide range of recreational facilities and future-focused expansion plans through the Rec-Create initiative. Rec-Create is a newly formed committee working to get plans underway for a future community facility.

Building Infrastructure for Tomorrow

Supporting growth requires significant infrastructure investment, and Humboldt is up to the challenge. Director of Public Works Peter Bergquist outlines the plans for the new wastewater facility, one of the city’s largest projects. “We’re creating an entirely new wastewater treatment system, which can handle up to 10,000 people in our community. That will definitely allow for existing and future growth and maybe even rural service as well,” he says. In addition, the city is investing in upgrades to two sewage lift stations to align with the new treatment facility and ensure reliability for current residents and upcoming development.

A future subdivision servicing is also in the works. “The north and south sides are being considered as future growth areas,” he continues. “Servicing those are going to be the key to getting services to those lands that need to be developed. So, that’s in our near future, pending  grant approval and loans and agreements and so many other things.”

Housing at the Forefront

Housing development remains crucial to growth, and public and private sectors are working together to expand supply. “Our idea is to have the city work in conjunction with the private developers to complement each other,” explains Mayor Muench. “We don’t see ourselves as being a competitor to the private developers, but as more of an add-on to what they’re doing.”

Active projects include 11 new residential lots in a development known as 101st Street. Delbridge explains, “Those are backing onto what will be green space eventually, creating a great spot to raise your family.” Just around the corner, a 160-lot subdivision known as South 40 is currently in the concept stage.

In the north end of the city, Harvest Asset Management is planning a 70-unit apartment development that will add much-needed rental inventory. Additional subdivisions are progressing elsewhere, including adjacent communities in the northwest led by North Ridge Development Corporation and Westwood Development. In the southwest, Keystone Place by Bluestone Builders Group is in the planning stages, bringing a proposed 30-lot subdivision to that end of the city.

A recent housing needs assessment highlighted the economic drivers that are contributing to the demand. “It is mainly fueled by two clusters, one being the Iron Triangle, which is the manufacturer groups in the area, and then the other one being BHP, which is the biggest potash mine in Saskatchewan,” says Delbridge.

To help accelerate progress, the city is taking advantage of outside funding sources. “We have received some housing accelerator funds through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation(CHMC),” he expands. “And we are applying through Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund(CHIF) for infrastructure so we can unlock additional residential areas to offer more options for the community.”

Parks, Trails, and Community Connection

In Humboldt, walkability and green space are prioritized. “It’s important that our community is connected,” stresses Mayor Muench. “We do have a master trails plan in place, so any development that’s done, we like to try to encourage through our municipal reserves to have it connected with neighbouring subdivisions.”

Centennial Park has undergone major upgrades, including improvements to ball diamonds and enhancements to the Jacob Leicht outdoor rink facility, which doubles as pickleball, tennis, and basketball courts in summer. Paving an existing trail along Highway 5 is also on the agenda. Mayor Muench recounts, “Right now, it’s just a granular surface on there, but it’s experiencing more and more traffic every year from the pedestrian point of view.”

As a small community, Humboldt has grown into a destination that attracts visitors from near and far. One of the city’s biggest happenings is the Living Skies Music Festival, a two-day event now entering its third year. Held at Centennial Park, the festival is now combined with the community’s summer fair, the Summer Sizzler, drawing even more attendees.

Delbridge points to the variety of other events and activities the city hosts, from the baseball and hockey tournaments that bring visitors from across the region, to a Holiday Trail that was recently reopened in the Humboldt Campground. The community also enjoys smaller gatherings, such as the downtown Street Fest, hosted by the BID. “That is a way that we promote the downtown core and try to get some influx of people down there,” he acknowledges. “They hold a concert, have a dance, and serve drinks and food. And there are some vendors there as well.”

Powered by the Iron Triangle

Humboldt is working to attract industrial businesses, particularly those that can support the region’s already robust manufacturing base. “We do currently have some lots for sale that would support some smaller to medium-sized enterprises in the light industrial. That is something we are trying to recruit,” says Delbridge.

The area is anchored by the Iron Triangle, a cluster of major manufacturers surrounding Humboldt.

According to Mayor Muench, “Approximately 45% of the manufacturing in Saskatchewan is within a short distance from Humboldt,” producing primarily farm equipment and agricultural machinery. Key players include Bourgault Industries, Bourgault Tillage Tools (BTT), Doepker Industries, CIM, Schulte Industries, Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI), and Michels Industries.

“In my day job, I’m employed at a manufacturer as well,” remarks Muench. “There’s a good mix and a good supply of jobs. A good chunk of the people who work at these businesses live in Humboldt and commute, as I do, every morning.”

Noting the potential for auxiliary businesses and support services that cater to these major manufacturers, Mayor Muench adds that the mining industry contributes additional opportunities.

“BHP is coming on stream in the next year or so, but we have two other potash mines within the vicinity, Nutrien and Mosaic, which employ people from the city of Humboldt. They also have a lot of support businesses required for their industry.”

 A Clear Focus Ahead

Looking to the future, Mayor Muench says the city’s priorities are attracting both housing and retail.

“If we’re going to have an influx of residents moving here, we need to have services for them,” he asserts.

With a continued focus on infrastructure expansion and downtown revitalization, combined with a strong industrial base driving employment, Humboldt is a city where opportunity and small-town spirit come together. It is a community that offers the resources, jobs, and quality of life that make it a perfect place to call home.

AT A GLANCE

Who: Humboldt Saskatchewan

What: A growing city in the center of Saskatchewan’s Iron Triangle region

Where: City of Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Canada

Website: www.humboldt.ca