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it comes to the growth of the community.
“Medicine Hat has the highest ratio of engineers per capita across Canada and businesses looking for these services can turn to our community to fill their employment needs,” he said.
A recent change in legislation has also created a buzz around craft breweries. Jackson said the business is a good opportunity to pursue and reported that one such business is set to open in the community this year as a direct result of efforts by Invest Medicine Hat.
Community Futures Entre-Corp Helping
Businesses Succeed Financial assistance and training are the key areas of focus for Community Futures Entre-Corp Business Development Centre. The organization can assist entrepreneurs starting out in a business venture or those wishing to expand their operation. With a focus on small and medium enterprises, the centre can assist in a number of ways.
“We are a developmental lender,” explained Sean Blewett, general manager for the organization. “If someone can’t get financing through traditional sources they can come to us.”
In addition to lending money to start a business, Community Futures also provides a wide range of training options to help businesses succeed.
With courses that run from one hour to several weeks, the centre offers everything from assistance in computer technology during a lunch-and-learn program to a self-employment training course that teaches everything you need to know about starting your own business. The seven-week program covers bookkeeping, marketing, finances and developing a business plan. Mentoring with successful business people from the community is also part of the program that can be attended while individuals continue to access unemployment benefits.
“We are also here to help coach, mentor and advise people as they start a business or expand their operation,” said Blewett.
While a downturn in the oil sector has meant changes for many people, Blewett said there has been an increase in the demand for training and their services have remained consistent. Change leads to opportunity and Blewett said many people are looking into the possibility of opening their own business.
“Now’s a good time to make that step if they’ve done all their research,” he said.
The state of the economy doesn’t change the lending practices at Community Future according to Blewett, who said there are a number of programs available. In addition, he reported that the provincial government is putting more money into innovation and technology training which could open doors for a lot of people.
Palliser Economic Partnership Taking on
Large Projects Palliser Economic Partnership is currently working on a number of initiatives to improve transportation services in the area and increase development.
Research is currently being conducted on how the Port of Wild Horse border crossing linking Alberta and Montana can be improved.
“The intent is to get feedback from commercial interests and then speak with the various governments to see if enhancing the function of the border is a possibility,” says Walter Valentini, Executive director of Palliser Economic Partnership.
PEP is working on the project in cooperation with Bear Paw Economic Development Corporation based in the United States.
“Increasing business across the border would not only benefit southern Alberta but positive effects would be felt into central and northern regions of the province as well,” said Valentini. The report is expected to be completed this fall.
Another area of interest for the agency is getting the TransCanada Highway from Medicine Hat to Highway 36 designated as a high load corridor. A change in designation would open up the possibility of companies moving goods through the community and potentially setting up
offices in the area rather than bypassing the community as they do now. Currently other portions of Highway 1 carry the high load corridor designation as do alternate routes around the province.
Evaluating broadband and high speed Internet services in Southeast Alberta is another project PEP is preparing for. Expected to begin in late spring or early summer of this year, the project will include reviewing current services and looking at what infrastructure is needed to meet growing demands.
Palliser Economic Partnership is a not-for-profit corporation with shareholders comprised of urban and rural municipalities in Southeast Alberta. Funded through per capita contributions from its shareholders, the agency works to improve and expand the economy of the area.
“PEP engages in key initiatives that benefit the entire region,” reads the annual report. “These initiatives are driven by marketing the region, building capacity and cooperation within the region through learning and networking opportunities, and actively encouraging investment and business growth.”
“PEP offers its member municipalities economic guidance. It undertakes studies and research upon which projects are designed and undertaken. Most often these initiatives are outside the scope and reach of member municipalities to do on their own,” said Valentini. ■
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Dedicated to improving the world , one child and one community at a time for over 90 years!
www.medicinehatkiwanis.ca 403-528-7330
“New Members welcome.”
41248878•03/29/16
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