Stockland confirmed on Tuesday that Hoyts would run the seven-screen movie theatre in the new-look shopping hub in Maitland’s east, which is expected to be complete in mid 2018.

Fairfax Media reported previously that the $412 million redevelopment will feature a David Jones department store, JB HiFi, Target, Big W, dozens of specialty stores and a revamped dining and entertainment area.

When work on the upgrades began last February, centre manager Chris Travers told Fairfax Media that Stockland wanted to continue the momentum in Green Hills, which was one of the company’s busiest shopping centres, had built.

While the arrival of Hoyts will represent competition for some businesses – just as the revamped Green Hills shopping precinct will present an alternative to other shopping destinations in the Maitland area – ultimately such an investment is a clear indication of confidence in this region’s economy.

The redevelopment has been estimated to generate more than 2285 jobs – some of those during construction and others in the resulting shopping centre.

Given this region’s recent history with high unemployment, as well as repeated questions about the future of mining and the flow-on effects this could have on business, this confidence is just what the doctor ordered.

And you don’t have to extend your gaze far to see similar confidence blossoming throughout the Maitland area.

Foot traffic in The Levee appears to have grown significantly – with work on the long awaited Riverlink Building taking place, anticipation of the arrival of a new-look city centre is peaking.

There appear to be far fewer empty shopfronts in High Street compared with the situation a couple of years ago, and the recent confirmation that international supermarket behemoth Aldi plans to set up shop in Hunter Mall, near Kmart, also show that business and economic momentum in this region is building.

For an area that is experiencing rapid population growth, that's a comforting thing. These are all good signs for the Lower Hunter’s economy.