Local politicians threw a party Tuesday to celebrate the $100 million being spent on 18 infrastructure projects in Windsor, but the mood was tempered by fears about the hangover ahead when the one-time economic boost runs dry.

Reviews were glowing of last year's joint federal-provincial economic stimulus handouts to Windsor, at a riverfront celebration organized by the offices of Conservative MP Jeff Watson, Liberal MPP Sandra Pupatello and Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis.

Those in attendance -- city administrators, construction union leaders and other economic development commission officials -- pointed to the creation of roughly 5,000 direct and indirect jobs as reason to celebrate. "The city has never seen a quantity of construction like this," said Dwayne Dawson, president of the Heavy Construction Association. "Inside the union halls, you see very few people left (looking for work) in the operators or labourers union."

Windsor received the highest per capita funding in Canada for federal infrastructure stimulus spending at about $616 per person.

The city has to match the funds with a one-third contribution and complete the work by March 31, 2011 in order to receive the funding.

There are 18 infrastructure projects underway in Windsor. The highlight is the $60-million retention treatment basin on the riverfront, chosen as the site Tuesday for a tent party and ribbon-cutting to celebrate the ongoing infrastructure work.

"The lion's share of bidding was won by local companies," Pupatello said. "This has been great news for local industry."