PENHOLD – The town's economic growth will continue in 2018 with some help from the Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP).
The Roving Economic Development Officer (EDO) program, first introduced as a pilot project with CAEP in the fall of 2016, will help Penhold with new projects.
“With the new annexation we’ve decided to use their assistance in developing some promotional and marketing material for our new commercial lands,” said Penhold mayor Mike Yargeau. “It’s to help us sell ourselves and market the opportunities in Penhold.”
The position was filled by Ken Kowalchuk, community liaison coordinator with CAEP and team lead with the Roving EDO program. He works alongside Kimberley Worthington, CAEP’s executive director, to provide input on projects.
“CAEP’s mandate is to empower our member communities to advance sustainable, regional economic development at the local level,” said Worthington. “Economic development is such a big portfolio and all of our communities can use assistance in moving projects forward.”
Member municipalities can hire the roving EDO on a contract basis for specific projects. Projects must meet certain requirements that align with CAEP’s strategic plan and the community’s objectives, noted Worthington.
The cost-effective program works in all communities, whether they have an existing EDO or not.
“The program isn’t just for municipalities that do not have economic development officers. It’s for everyone,” said Worthington. “It also (helps) build capacity in member communities, both large and small, so they can advance their local economic development to see the region grow and prosper,” she added.
Yargeau said the town began using the program in early May, and has met with CAEP officials, although no plans have yet been finalized.
“I think it’s going to be a great opportunity for Penhold,” said Yargeau. “We are a small town with limited resources, so something like this, where maybe we can’t pay an economic development officer full-time, we can utilize this service when we need it.”
Yargeau noted the important work CAEP does in this part of the province.
“They do a lot of good things for Central Alberta,” said Yargeau. ”It’s a really good partnership.”
