OLDS — It’s hoped that the community's new Business Retention, Investment and Expansion (BRI&E) committee will be up and running by late spring, according to Larry Wright, the town’s strategy and technology officer.
Wright made that prediction during a presentation to town council’s policies and priorities meeting March 1.
In previous years, the Olds Institute for Regional and Community Development used to have a Business Attraction Retention and Expansion Committee (BARE) but it was later shut down.
“We're moving ahead and we hope to have that in place by late spring of 2021," Wright said.
“COVID has been a little impactful on us in moving that one forward and ahead but we’re on it and working with many agencies and there are people who are very interested in how we’re moving this forward.”
Provincial departments like Alberta Labour have indicated interest in providing resources and advice for the group, he said.
Coun. Heather Ryan asked Wright what stakeholders will be represented on the committee.
He said it would include business owner/operators, economic development organizations, chamber of commerce representatives, housing and accommodation experts, retired business executives, government officials, utility services, energy suppliers, education entities, financial institutions, medical associations, sports and entertainment specialists, digital telecommunication, broadband technology experts and industrial entrepreneurs.
Wright said it will also include at least one local artisan because “we really respect the arts community.”
Ryan asked if the group would include local developers. Wright said it would. He said they kind of fall under the housing and accommodation experts category.
“It sounds like it could be a very worthwhile committee,” Ryan said.
Deputy mayor Mary Anne Overwater agreed.
"I’m really excited to know that the Business Retention Investment and Expansion Committee is going to be taken off the shelf and revitalized,” Overwater said.
“That is something that we really need to pay attention to in this time of COVID and as Mr. Wright said, you know, we’re not going to feel all of the outcomes of COVID probably until the end of 2022, so I’m glad to that something happening.”
