Q u i c k n o t e s
Volume 13 Issue 1    June 2016



Highlights            AGM draws record attendance  |  Meet the new director | Minister delivers timely message 
Table of Contents


Quickdates



November 24, 2016

Fall General Meeting

 

CAEP  Office  Summer Hours
Summer Office hours: Beginning July 4 
Mon to Thu - 9am-1pm  
Fri - Closed



Office closures:

Jun 30, Jul 1, Aug 1, Sep 5
 
We will resume regular hours on Sep 6. 
New  Quicknotes  Feature Coming  Soon
Soon members can share 'good news' stories with their fellow members and all Quicknotes subscribers. Stay tuned for more details and get your stories ready!
Next Issue:

Fall 2016

















Travel 
Central Alberta 
this Summer !!


 Message from the Chair 
 
Since the last issue, we have been busy planning for positive change, engaging our membership, and creating opportunities to build capacity within the CAEP region, nationally, and internationally.
 
In January, we conducted three informative committee planning exchanges. We followed this with the Board of Directors strategic planning session resulting in a refreshed vision and mission, and a clear path forward. We came away with the 2016-2019 Strategic Plan focusing on four exciting new areas: Influential Relationships, Knowledge-sharing and Resources, Capacity Building, and Reflecting Regional Interests.
 
Regional collaborations are key at CAEP and it is those partnerships that will make each member stronger. We strive to focus on projects that are relevant to our region and ensure we are well positioned to take advantage of the prospects presented to us. 



The projects to be carried out in 2016-2017 will create opportunities for CAEP members through training, business retention and expansion, digital connectivity, statistics, marketing, and community advancement via commercial real estate listings. Be sure to check out investcentralalberta.ca and ensure your properties are counted in when investors come calling. We are also in the midst of conducting an organizational review, seeking that positive change that will help us to help our communities gain strength and resilience, while growing the entire CAEP region.
 
For those smaller communities, you can look forward to accessing CAEP's very own Regional Economic Development Specialist to assist you in short term local economic development projects.
 
I would like to extend a big thank you to the Board of Directors and committee members for all their energy and expertise, as well as CAEP staff and contractors who consistently set the standard for REDAs across Alberta. 
 
To quote Minister Bilous, "....regional collaboration is the best way to strengthen our economy," and I couldn't agree more.
 
Enjoy a fun-filled summer!
  
Patricia MacQuarrie 
CAEP Chair
Councillor, City of Wetaskiwin 
Ph: 780-362-2216    


 Message from the Executive Director 
The past ten months have been a bit of a whirlwind at CAEP. I am very humbled by my learnings,  pleased with the relationships we are nurturing, and very excited for what the future holds. We are committed to serving our members as directed  and the team looks forward to empowering our members to advance sustainable regional economic development. I hope to see you while I am out exploring this diverse region. Have a great summer!!
   
Kimberley Worthington  
CAEP Executive Director

Ph: 587-447-2237 


CAEP's 2016 AGM Saw Record Attendance

Attendees heard keynote, Minister Deron Bilous, speak on the state of the Alberta economy and opportunities for Central Alberta communities.



"The Central Alberta Economic Partnership has been doing incredible work to support central Alberta businesses for almost 20 years," said Economic Development and Trade Minister Deron Bilous.  "You're proving that regional collaboration is the best way to strengthen our economy.   You and your members and associate members have been key to delivering economic development programs across the region, and I would like to continue working together for our local businesses for many years to come."



Back Row (from left): MLA Kim Schreiner, Hon. Deron Bilous, CAEP Chair Patricia MacQuarrie 
Front Row (from left): MLA Barb Miller, MLA Bruce Hinkley  
Jim Wood, Red Deer County Mayor and CAEP Treasurer presented the 2015-2016 Annual Report, while Patricia MacQuarrie, City of Wetaskiwin Councillor and CAEP chair presented the 2016-2019 Strategic Plan and shared upcoming projects.



CAEP Director and Lacombe County Councillor Ken Wigmore moderated the elections where one new director was elected. Town of Blackfalds Deputy Mayor Will Taylor happily returned to the CAEP board, filling the term to November 2017. 
WELCOME BACK!

Deputy Mayor Will Taylor
With only one open position, Director elections held at the AGM were brief and resulted in Town of Blackfalds Deputy Mayor, Will Taylor returning to the CAEP board.



"I am happy to be re-elected to the CAEP board. I have been proud to serve on the board and have seen the challenge this board has weathered over the years. The principals of together we are stronger, and that we need to be pertinent to each member, has made this regional board stand out as one of the best in the province. CAEP has successfully lobbied to the province along side other REDAs to prove the significance of regional economic development boards. The result  has been stronger funding and communications with the province. I am excited and passionate about economic development and serving on the CAEP board. In the future, I am certain CAEP will continue to serve each member with significant and innovative ways to see our region and communities prosper."                  ~ Will Taylor 


Thank you.....

....to our AGM supporters.  







"Chandos Construction Ltd. was most pleased to provide the Breakfast Sponsorship for this very worthwhile annual event. Collaboration is necessary to enhance the success of any endeavor.  This is especially critical for regional economic development initiatives and all participants are commended for their involvement in CAEP."

~ Leroy Ehnes, Director, Business Development 






   




  



 


Have you tried this yet?? Currently 36 users are uploading properties to highlight the commercial and industrial investment opportunities for sale and for lease, and the southern part of the CAEP region  is automatically being populated by the Calgary Real Estate Board.


CAEP member municipalities indicated they wanted the option of embedding or linking their own websites with www.investcentralalberta.ca .  In June, members were emailed  codes to link or embed  www.investcentralalberta.ca  into their websites with the opening page displaying the sites or the buildings.



In addition to the land mapping capabilities, a dynamic report generating system will help you to use this tool to promote your community, showcase your investment opportunities, and to support your realtors and developers in business success.
 
If you have any questions or require a new code, please connect with the CAEP office at [email protected] or 403-357-2237.

 




Economic Developers Resource Corner 
A new  "one stop shop"  web portal containing  Community and Regional Economic Development tools and resources was launched June 17. The Entrepreneurship and Regional Development Branch of Alberta Economic Development and Trade led the development of this site for economic development practitioners to access information needed to support Alberta's community and regional economic development.
 
The long anticipated Alberta Regional Dashboard was launched on June 21. With nine Government of Alberta ministries and Statistics Canada providing the most recently available information,  there over 10,000 data points that can be sorted by municipality, custom region, pre-defined region or to produce comparisons. Still noted as BETA, this site will be closely monitored over the next month to resolve any issues that arise from the anticipated heavy use by economic development practitioners, business and investors.
 
At the CAEP AGM, Minister Bilous noted that the Regional Economic Development Program  announced in the Alberta Jobs Budget will provide support to projects that demonstrate economic benefit through regional collaboration and are part of a shared vision for economic development specific to that region's future prosperity. The $10 million set aside for this Program is to encourage co-operation within regions to promote a wide range of industries, from tourism through to value-added processing.
 
The Community Economic Development Program announced in the October 2015 budget will provide funding assistance to grass roots economic development projects that build local capacity and strengthen existing approaches to improve environmental, social and economic conditions. 


For more information on the new ministry or connections to ministry program and services, you may contact her at [email protected]


 


Coming Events 
IEDC Annual Conference

September 25-28, 2016
Cleveland, OH  




EDAC Conference

October 22-25, 2016
Saskatoon, SK 
November 15-17, 2016

Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton

November 15-17, 2016

Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton





November 24, 2016

Venue TBD



March 22-24, 2017

The Banff Centre, Banff



 




CAEP QUICKNOTES is published by Central Alberta Economic Partnership. If you have any news you would like to share, contact [email protected] 

Central Alberta Economic Partnership Ltd.
Toll Free:1-888-508-CAEP

Tel: 403-357-CAEP (2237)
  


Central Alberta Economic Partnership Ltd. | B102, Suite 354 | 5212-48 Street | Red Deer | Alberta | T4N 7C3 | Canada