The paper mill in Grand Falls-Windsor closed in 2009. (CBC)

Housing starts in Grand Falls-Windsor, N.L., have more than tripled this year despite the loss of one of its largest employers.

When AbitibiBowater stopped production at the mill in early 2009 there were concerns the town's economy would tank, but that hasn't happened.

This time last year, construction was started on 16 houses in Grand Falls-Windsor, but by this June, work had begun on 60 new homes in the town.

"It's pretty busy this year, it never seems like the boom went down because of the mill, not yet anyways," said carpenter Brandon Sheppard, who is already working on his second project this year.

Resident Marion King said Tuesday she's seeing at least one sign that the community's real estate market is active.

"Real estate agents have been after us to sell our house, which we only built two years ago, because they said there's not enough houses on the market here, so obviously people are still coming in and buying".

King said the closure of the mill has clearly affected people who live in Grand Falls-Windsor, but she believes it may also explain why the town's economy is thriving.

"I know people that did have to go away to work, but I think what happened is that some of the ones that did have to go away to work, their families still stayed here. So there's money coming from other provinces into our province now,"

The town's hospital — the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre — is the community's largest employer. It serves people from dozens of communities in central Newfoundland who spend money in Grand Falls-Windsor when they come for health care.

The town also has a large mall that employs many of the community's more than 13,000 people and attracts shoppers from around the region.

Several local businesses are reporting strong sales and there are plans to open new shopping areas in the next few years.