MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - The Mountain View County and Town of Olds inter-municipal cooperation committee (ICC) helped strengthen collaboration between the municipalities in 2024, including through business retention and expansion efforts, say officials.
The committee is working well for the benefit of ratepayers, Mountain View County Reeve Angela Albers told the Albertan.
In a press release issued Dec. 18, the committee said its members have worked on infrastructure, development opportunities, information sharing initiatives and other projects over the past 12 months.
Key initiative in 2024 included work on formulating updated agreements to “ensure effective resource sharing and future-proof planning for facilities and services.”
The committee also worked on opportunities for crime reduction initiatives such as RCMP enhanced policing positions, and plans are in the works for further consultations in 2025 involving local RCMP leadership.
In the area of business retention and expansion, the committee “partnered on regional programs to support local businesses and workforce development, enhancing economic opportunities.”
For example, the county contributed $10,000 toward the Olds Economic Development Strategy’s business retention, expansion and workforce program.
The committee also initiated discussions on “collaboration efforts to strengthen agriculture and recreation services, with potential benefits for tourism and economic growth.”
The committee supported the Olds Aquatic Centre Partnership, with the county contributing $127,350 to “support the facility’s operations and enhance recreational opportunities for the region.”
Priorities for the committee in 2025 include preparing for the municipal election in October and “continuing to foster cooperation on shared projects and goals.”
The county also has ICCs with Carstairs, Didsbury, Sundre and Cremona.
Reeve Aalbers told the Albertan, “All our ICC committees with our urban partners are functioning well and we are making progress on partnerships on a number of projects with all our partners that will benefit the ratepayers within the borders of Mountain View County.
“We are looking forward to continuing the momentum into 2025.”
The county also has ICCs with municipalities outside the county borders, including Red Deer, Kneehill, Rocky View and Clearwater counties, as well as the Municipal District of Bighorn.
