The Highway 2A communities of Penhold and Innisfail are joining forces to strengthen the Central Alberta business corridor through a joint Municipal Development Plan (MDP) development.
During the regular Penhold council meeting on Oct. 27, council passed a directive to participate in an application for the preparation of an MDP under the Intermunicipal collaboration component of the Alberta Community Partnership Grant Program.
“Penhold and Innisfail have a lot of characteristics in common,” said Dennis Cooper, mayor of Penhold. “Not only are we on the same transportation corridor, but if we look at statistics in terms of traffic and economic development, a lot of information is applicable to both towns.”
Cooper added the project would share resources and research, and exchange policies, which would be reflected in the final MDP documents. Embedded in the document would be specific elements unique to Penhold and Innisfail.
The project will work in three stages, the first of which is an examination of each other's MDP, with an eye to creating opportunities for discussion. A second phase will include shared research on key topics with relation to opportunities and local growth and land use patterns. The final component will conclude with the MDP and reflect the choices made by each municipality and options that fit the needs of both communities.
“When all is said and done, the cost will be around $195,000 and the Town of Innisfail will look after the application,” said Cooper. “With one process, we will both save money and a stronger bond between both communities will result.”
Cooper noted there is already a connection between Penhold and Innisfail.
“Craig Teal, Tricia Willis and Kristina Schmidt all worked together at Parkland Community Planning Services in the past,” said Cooper. “With that common background and experience, any joint planning with both communities will be so much easier.”
The project is proposed to start in early 2015 and continue until 2016.
