Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and the communities of Saskatoon and Humboldt are planning for the province's economic future with a $216,000 investment from Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD). “The Government of Canada is supportive of communities that are planning to build their economic potential and a strong, 21 st century economy,” said federal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale, on behalf of the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport). “WD’s investment is helping these organizations find and develop distinctive approaches to make the most of their potential.“ The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Foundation is using its funding to conduct a four-part study that probes the socio-economic factors that drive Saskatchewan’s economy. “The funding will be used to research what makes Saskatchewan tick,” said Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce President Ted Hillstead. “Demographic, economic and social factors will be studied, along with attitudes and values.” The Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) is using its share to hire consultants to identify and plan for long-term business opportunities in their region. “Input from consultants, local business stakeholders, the Aboriginal community, the SREDA team and our Board of Directors has validated our best practices and our targeted industrial sectors,” said Ted Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer, SREDA. “We have also identified emerging industries that we look to pursue in the years ahead. This will be a living document that will evolve with input from all stakeholders in the Saskatoon region.” Action Humboldt is partnering with the Saskatoon-based Estey Centre for Law and Economics in International Trade to train volunteers to create an economic development plan for their community. “The development of a plan for our community’s economic future has been a tremendous accomplishment. It was achieved by over 30 volunteers, working in close partnership with economic agencies and associations in our community. We were well trained by the Estey Centre and our plan came together very effectively under their watchful eye,” said Michelle Bankowski, Chair of Action Humboldt. “The funding provided by WD as well as by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada and by our own business community gave us the resources we needed to do this right!” Federal funding for this initiative is included in the fiscal framework. For additional information, contact: Joanne Mysak Manager, Communications Western Economic Diversification Canada Saskatoon, SK Tel: (306) 975-5942 E-mail: joanne.mysak@wd.gc.ca WD Toll-Free Number 1 888 338-WEST (9378) World Wide Web Site: English: http://www.wd.gc.ca French: http://www.deo.gc.ca Backgrounder Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Foundation $150,000 The purpose of the project is to conduct socio-economic and behavioural research into the drivers of the Saskatchewan economy and society. Consultants will be retained to conduct a four-part study. The study will be conducted in all areas of Saskatchewan. People will be interviewed from all sectors of the economy, including: workers, employers, healthcare professionals, seniors, youth, First Nations, farmers and politicians. The process will culminate in an Action Saskatchewan Initiative called “The Gathering,” a two-day event in Saskatoon in late October that will draw a road map to prosperity for the province. Contact: Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce President Ted Hillstead Tel: 306-352-2671 Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) Inc. $48,538 SREDA has hired a consultant to develop a three-year strategic plan for the Saskatoon region. Under the “Helping Communities Win” plan, several rural communities (Aberdeen, Allan, Borden, Dundurn, Osler, Waldheim and Warman) determined their strengths, challenges and opportunities through several local community meetings. The plan will identify target industries and markets, analyze Saskatoon’s competitive advantages and suggest areas to measure economic growth. Contact: Ted Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer Tel: 306-664-0723 Action Humboldt/City of Humboldt $17,550 The City of Humboldt and surrounding region is partnering with the Saskatoon-based Estey Centre for Law and Economics in International Trade to train volunteers how to develop a flexible and workable economic development plan for the community. Action Humboldt, a grassroots community movement with over 30 volunteers and partnerships with all business and community groups, is leading the initiative. During the four training modules, the volunteers learned how to effectively facilitate community discussion, how to develop competitive intelligence and how to create, refine and communicate an economic development plan. The plan has been developed and focus tested with key community leaders, and is now in the early stages of implementation. The plan builds on the community’s four core strengths and defines over 15 specific projects to build on these strengths in key areas where results are needed for overall success. An event is planned for the evening of June 7 to roll out the plan and celebrate this accomplishment. Contact: Tom Goulden, City Manager Tel: 306-682-2525
