WAGGA is in the midst of a business boom - and it's all down to the work done to diversify the city's economic landscape, according to one council director.
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New commercial projects have sprung up right around the city limits and new retailers are moving to Wagga, creating a plethora of new jobs.
Wagga City Council's director of economic development Peter Adams said the diverse nature of the city's economy continued to make it an attractive proposition for investors.
"Some regional places may ... have a little mining boom which could be five, 10, 20 years, whereas you look at our economy, the great strength we've always had is it's diversified," he said.
"Even if it's drought season and stuff, you've still got the government money in."
Dr Adams likened the state of Wagga's economy to a superannuation fund - a safe and reliable investment.
"Even in people's personal investments, you don't buy all your shares in BHP no matter how good they are," he said.
"You diversify - you might have some in telecommunications, some in mining.
"If you want good reliable returns, we're the sort of economy you go."
Leading the charge of new retailers coming to Wagga and creating scores of new jobs is Toys'R'Us. The toy franchise will open a store on Trail Street next month and expects to employ 60 people to staff it.
Another nationwide retailer, Bed Bath N' Table, will also soon be on its way to the city.
Over the river in Estella, the wheels are finally turning on the suburb's long-awaited shopping centre, which will see a supermarket, bottle shop, pharmacy, café and three specialty stores open when it is built.
New retailers are springing up along Baylis and Fitzmaurice streets as the city's main retail stretch undergoes somewhat of a renaissance. Clothing retailer Black Pepper will open on Baylis Street early next month.
Away from the retail landscape, several commercial developments are currently under way with more than $19 million worth of development applications lodged with council in the past three months.
A multimillion-dollar boutique hotel will open on Day Street next month, while work is underway on the Riverina Motorsport Complex on Wokolena Road.
"Something like the motor racing complex is a classic - it's just a whole new string to the economy that's just not there," Dr Adams said.
