The recent approval of the Keystone XL pipeline south of the border could result in economic growth in a southwest Saskatchewan town.

The US President's signed approval in the Oval Office yesterday afternoon means the pipeline has been given the green light - at least in America.

If approved by the Canadian government as well, the pipeline would stretch from Hardisty, Alberta to Steele City, Nebraska.

Along the way, the pipeline would pass near Shaunavon, an opportunity Mayor Grant Greenslade says he is really looking forward to.

"I was ecstatic when I heard the news. I think it's a great economic boost to the town of Shaunavon and southwest Saskatchewan, and a boost of confidence back in the oil and gas sector. I was very excited to see President Trump has approved it," he said. 

Mayor Greenslade shares the economic opportunity he hopes to see in Shaunavon if the pipeline is similarly approved north of the border.

"During the construction period of the pipeline, we'll expect a lot of jobs and people coming to our community to live in - and work out of - to do the construction of the pipeline. Long-term, we're hoping that there's going to be a compressor stations close to our community that will employ people from Shaunavon and the southwest area," he said.

The Keystone XL pipeline would cover 1,897 km once completed.