INNISFAIL – Following a lengthy search and wait the Town of Innisfail finally has a dedicated new economic development officer.
At town council’s Agenda & Priorities Meeting on April 1, Meghan Jenkins, the community services director for the Town of Innisfail, formally introduced John Powell to town council and the public.
Powell, who originally came to Canada from England in 2010, told council he arrived at Innisfail town hall late last month after working in the economic development field for the City of Red Deer.
Before that he was economic development officer in two B.C. regions, council was told.
“I'm looking forward to working on the Power of Place. That was one of the big draws for me to apply and come to Innisfail,” said Powell of the initiative, the town’s community-led economic development strategy. “I think that's a really big asset for this community.”
Jenkins later told the Albertan that it has been several years since the town had a dedicated economic development officer, and that Town of Innisfail senior staff is “excited” to have Powell working on the implementation of the Power of Place strategy.
She said Powell will also be tasked to handle sales of industrial properties in the new Southwest Industrial Park, engaging the business community and promoting Innisfail.
“We'll be finishing the roads with the final pavement going in there this summer and we're going to be pushing hard to get them sold,” said Jenkins of the multi-million dollar development for the new industrial park.
“It’s going to be great to have someone whose sole focus is that economic development portfolio,” said Jenkins.
