CAEP facing troubled future

PENHOLD - With the City of Red Deer's recent notice to leave the Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP), the future of CAEP is uncertain.

Red Deer is the third municipality in recent months to submit a notice to leave the organization, which has a mandate to promote the region and provide a strong voice on Central Alberta issues. The Town of Rimbey left last year while Ponoka County announced its exit notice last fall.

Penhold mayor Dennis Cooper, who is CAEP's secretary, noted members of council recently expressed concerns over the Central Alberta city's potential departure, which was announced at last month's meeting.

"Seeing the City of Red Deer going that way, it's very disappointing," said Cooper at a council meeting Feb. 13. "What that means is a loss of $40,000 in revenue. It's also a loss of one third of our entire population of CAEP. It's a bit disheartening."

Red Deer Coun. Lawrence Lee, a past board member, said one of the reasons behind the move is that Red Deer has increased its own capacity to provide economic development to the city.

"We have an economic development department now that handles all those tasks that we used to collaboratively do with CAEP," said Lee, noting that council took several factors into consideration, including financial impact, before making a decision to leave CAEP.

Red Deer council believes it won't jeopardize its ability to function as an organization, said Lee.

"As long as they're meeting the needs of their membership and doing economic initiatives that help the membership they will continue to thrive and grow," said Lee.

Meanwhile, officials with the Town of Innisfail, which is also a CAEP member, declined to comment until more information could be made available. Coun. Doug Bos, the town's CAEP representative, was away on holidays last week.

However, other CAEP members believe Red Deer's departure could leave a big void in the 38-member organization.

"There's 301,000 people in the CAEP region and once Red Deer leaves, there will be 201,000, so it's a big hole in our map," said Cooper.

Red Deer County mayor Jim Wood said Red Deer has always played a leadership role in CAEP since its creation.

"We don't want to lose the biggest city that we have within our region and create a big doughnut hole in the middle of our organization for non-participation," said Wood, who is CAEP's treasurer. "We want to continue to work with all of our members to determine their needs and make sure that we're relevant.

"I believe that the members of CAEP value the City of Red Deer's contributions and their insight," he added, noting the organization's success over the years.

"Our organization has been a model for others to follow around the province as far as regional economic development alliances (REDAs)," he said. "I think this is why CAEP is such a good organization. We set that example years ago of how we work together.

"Our organization will never be as strong without the city as it is right now. It's important that we realize that our strength comes from working together," Wood added. "That's why we're continuing to work with the city through this process to ensure that our strengths stay strong with their membership."

Cooper also wants to work with the city in developing economic opportunities for the region.

"I think we all want to work in a collaborative method to help grow economic development in the entire Central Alberta area," said Cooper. "We're going to continue to work with the City of Red Deer and see if they can change their mind."

At the Penhold council meeting on Feb. 13, council members raised several concerns over the pending departures of Red Deer, Rimbey and Ponoka County.

"I see Ponoka County also backed out (of CAEP). Is there a trend happening here," said Coun. Mike Yargeau.

"There have been a few towns leave CAEP," said Cooper. "You get as much out of CAEP as you want to put into it."

Coun. Mike Walsh asked whether there will be less services offered with less fees contributed to CAEP.

"As this present time we do not want to decrease services and we don't want to increase the fees," said Cooper.

Coun. Buck Buchanan, the City of Red Deer's current CAEP representative, said he hopes the city will re-consider leaving the organization.

"Personally I don't believe that this is good for a relationship within the region and with our partners," said Buchanan, noting the contributions from all municipalities.

"We're in this game together."