Economic Development
As you have read on our "News" page, we are looking for interested people to become involved in the attraction, expansion and retention of business in Wembley.
To that end, we are encouraging people with those exciting ideas to come together as an Economic Development Board. Once the Board is formed, training will be available to help channel and bring your ideas into focus so you can make a real difference in your community.
Here is what has recently been recognized throughout Alberta, as in the News Release following:
NEWS RELEASE
April 8, 2011
(Kananaskis, AB): Last night the Economic Developers Association of Alberta (EDA) presented its annual Awards of Excellence during the Minister's Dinner & Awards Banquet at the Delta Kananaskis Lodge. These awards honour Alberta communities and individuals for excellence in business attraction, retention, expansion and marketing.
The Economic Developer of the Year Award was presented to Elvira Smid of Lethbridge acknowledging her significant contribution to the local economy and to the profession of economic development. Elvira's leadership and innovation has moved several projects forward including:
- Developing two Regional Economic Development Alliances (REDA's): Palliser Economic Partnership (a collaboration of 21 municipalities) and SouthGrow Regional Initiative (a collaboration of 27 municipalities).
- Initiating the REEL Adventures Movie Map project, a collaboration of four REDAs, Alberta Film Commission and Alberta Tourism.
- Creating Growing in Rural Alberta, a symposium with partners in the Ministries of Culture and Community Spirit and Employment and Immigration.
- Developing the Community Investment Readiness Index to help member communities identify gaps in their readiness to support existing business, or attract new investment. This model has subsequently been adopted by other REDA's.
- Developing the Open for Business Tool Kit and the Investment Readiness Response project to provide much-needed tools and practice for communities who are under-resourced.
The Alex Metcalf Award acknowledges individuals or agencies for excellence in economic development relating to the attraction, expansion or retention of business in Alberta. This year, the Alex Metcalf Awards went to:
- Olds Institute for Community and Regional Development (Small Community)
- M.D. of Rocky View (Medium Community)
- Strathcona County (Large Community)
The EDA Marketing Alberta Awards were presented to:
- Website:
- Town of Hinton (Small Community)
- Sturgeon County (Medium Community)
- Calgary Economic Development (Large Community)
- Special Events, Programs or Campaigns:
- Community Futures Lac La Biche (Small Community)
- City of Fort Saskatchewan (Medium Community)
- Red Deer Regional Economic Development (Large Community)
- Creative Innovations:
- Central Alberta Economic Partnership
- Brochure:
- Town of High River (Medium Community)
- Calgary Economic Development (Large Community)
- Advertising:
- Community Futures Lac La Biche (Small Community)
- Town of High River (Medium Community)
- Economic Development Lethbridge (Large Community)
- Creative Innovations (Promotional Items):
- Town of High River (Medium Community)
- Parkland County (Medium Community)
- St. Albert Economic Development (Large Community)
- Social Media in a Marketing Campaign:
- Olds Institute for Community and Regional Development (Small Community)
- Branding-Destination Marketing
- Economic Development Lethbridge (Large Community)
Finally, the President's Award recognizes an individual in the Association that has made a significant contribution to the organization. This year's Award was presented to John Hankins for his outstanding contribution to the organization. "John has just completed two successful years as our annual Conference Chair", states President Cyril Cooper, "John's leadership has helped position the EDA conference as the 'must attend' conference for economic development in Alberta. He has been a tremendous asset to the organization, and most deserving of this award".
ABOUT EDA
Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) is Alberta's economic development network dedicated to advancing the economic development profession in the province of Alberta by providing an active network of communications, information and education. It is a not-for-profit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors, who represent the interests of its membership as a whole.
For more information contact:
Cyril Cooper, President
Work: (403)-886-7331
Cell: (403)-392-7211
www.edaalberta.ca
Leann Hackman-Carty, Executive Director
Work: (403)-214-0224
Cell: (403)-807-7746