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County committed to strengthen region’s economic development

Steps and goals to set the County of Stettler on a growth path with community, economic, tourism and seniors’ health services have been identified in a Community Investment Readiness Strategic Action Plan for the county.

At its regular meeting May 10, county council endorsed the plan developed in conjunction with Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP).

“This identifies our strengths and weaknesses and guides us to be ready for new development and investment,” said Councillor Joe Gendre, who represents the county on the CAEP board of directors.

“We will have to start on our zoning and be ready to rezone for industry.”

“One thing we can certainly expand is tourism.”

Overall, the plan commits to five goals to:

• Complete an area structure plan for the Erskine area along Highway 12 to direct future community and economic development.

• Update investor information, compile packages for investors, complete a business directory and update the county website.

• Facilitate and coordinate tourism opportunities.

• Complete a regional economic development strategy.

• Identify opportunities to enhance seniors’ healthcare programs and services.

Goals, strategies and timelines for the action plan were determined during a planning session on March 19 facilitated by Western Sky Management.

“This strategic action plan captures what we discussed at the meeting,” said Shawna Benson, director of economic development and communications.

“Council can then decide what to do with the plan.”

On the timeline, working to update investor and county information is the first priority on the list set for 2011 which would result in the county updating the website, distributing investor packages and increase internet presence with tracking ability.

Plans to develop a health care program and centre for seniors would be launched in 2011 with a long-term plan for a facility.

Steps to develop a regional economic development strategy and tourism opportunities are planned to be studied in 2010 with neighbouring towns and villages and other economic, business, and tourism partners.

The plan identifies several opportunities which include a Highway 12 corridor and west and Erskine area, commercial land east of the Town of Stettler, tourism, home-based businesses, wind energy, film industry with several local gems.

While the county has countless strengths for residential life, business, utilities and services, several major weaknesses that were identified in the process include:

• Not capitalizing on tourism, retail, railway tours;

• Resistance to change;

• Difficulty allocating resources and measuring success;

• Lack of available (owned) land for commercial/industrial/residential (private developers);

• Location of county office (should be in the county);

• Lack of resources;

• Commitment to environmental sustainabilty (recycling, water and soil conservation);

• Railway needs

upgrading.