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SouthGrow Holds General Meeting

SouthGrow Regional Initiative held a General Meeting on October 5th at the Lethbridge Lodge to inform members on the progress of key projects.  About 55 member representatives attended the meeting,  In addition to being informed about progress on Productivity Improvement, Alternative Energy, Rural Sustainability and Water for Economic Development projects, the audience was treated to an address by Honourable Greg Weadick, Minister of Advanced Education and Technology and MLA, Lethbrige West.  Justin Riemer, Assistant Deputy Minister, Enterprise Division of Alberta Finance and Enterprise provided a brief speech on the opportunities presented as a result of regional economic development.    

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Keeping Our MLAs Informed

On August 30th, members of the MLA Roundtable Ad Hoc Committee met with Lorne Darlington (representing Greg Weadick, Minister of Advanced Education and Technology and MLA, Lethbridge West), Broyce Jacobs (MLA, Cardston-Taber-Warner), Barry McFarland (MLA, Little Bow), and Bridget Pastoor (MLA, Lethbridge East).  Kym Nichols, Mayor of the Village of Carmangay, informed the MLAs of SouthGrow's past accomplishments, current projects and the challenges and opportunities that SouthGrow Regional Initiative faces as it completes projects in the 2011-2012 operations year.  All individuals acknowledged the value of SouthGrow to the region and were happy that SouthGrow projects aligned with provincial priorities.

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Water for Economic Development

The Water for Economic Development Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Maggie Kronen (Town of Cardston), Glenn Logan (Village of Lomond), Jeff Shaw (Town of Cardston), and Don Wentz (Town of Coaldale) are working on an innovative solutions based initiative.  The Water for Economic Development project involves assessing the water needs of the SouthGrow members and identifying solutions to ensure the communities have access to water to ensure adequate growth for the future.  Funding partners for the initiative include County of Lethbridge, Alberta Irrigation Projects Association (AIPA), and Alberta Agriculture - Irrigation Secretariat. 

Shilpa Stocker, consultant on the project, presented information to the Alberta Economic Development Authority (AEDA) - Sustainable and Regional Development Committee on September 15th.  Members were suppotive of SouthGrow's work.  Information on the initiative will be presented at the AIPA Conference on November 28th to 30th at the Lethbidge Lodge. www.aipa.org

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Ensuring Sustainability

The Rural Sustainability Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Ron Lagemaat (Town of Coalhurst), Judy Sanderson (Town of Vulcan) and Carol Zelenka (MD Taber) are spearheading two projects that will assist with SouthGrow member sustainability.  SouthGrow has contracted Schollie Research & Consulting to create the strategic economic development plans for interested member communities.  The consultant will review community information, facilitate a planning session with council members, administration and other key decision makers / community leaders, to discuss vision, goals, strengths and challenges, and identify activities that will help meet the vision.

SouthGrow has also contracted EDCD Consulting to develop Community Economic Development Profiles.  In April 2011, Alberta Finance and Enterprise developed a new-based tool that provides all Alberta communities with a basic economic profile for display on the www.AlbertaCommunityProfiles.com website.  The tool provides Alberta communities with a no-cost solution to enhance their visibility to potential investors, workers, businesses and others who may be seeking more information about the community. 

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Improving Productivity

The Productivity Improvement Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Jon Stevens (Town of Picture Butte) and Dannie Lien (Village of Warner) have provided leadership on the Productivity Improvement Pilot for rural communities.  Productivity Alberta is piloting an awareness campaign starting October 11th until mid November aimed at Rural Alberta using SouthGrow as the test.  The campaign consists of:

• Print advertising in Cardston, Taber, Coaldale, Raymond, Vauxhall and Vulcan
• Inserts in Cardston and Taber
• Radio spots on B93 and Country 95 throughout the region
• 10' by 20' billboards on the Highway to Taber and to Vulcan

The objective of the awareness campaign is to reach rural communities with the message of improving productivity.  Further, traffic will be driven to SouthGrow's webite where industry will be able to access productivity tools.

  http:///southgrow.thinkproductivity.ca

The Ad Hoc Committee is also working on organizing a Productivity Conference to be held on March 7, 2012 in the Town of Taber.  In partnership with Productivity Alberta, SouthGrow will be hosting a productivity conference for its member communities featuring renowned speakers, David Irvine and Jim Bottomley.  The one-day conference is aimed at industry representatives and residents who are interested in improving productivity for bottom line results. 

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Alternative Energy Advantage

SouthGrow Regional Initiative is collaborating with Alberta Southwest Regional Alliance, Economic Development Lethbridge and Economic Development Alliance of Southeast Alberta to create a critical mass of interested parties who will encourage and support the creation of the right environment for the renewable energy industry to thrive as part of the Alberta Energy portfolio.  The abundance of natural resources in southern Alberta associated with solar, wind and bio-mass make this region a natural compliment and compelling addition to the story of Alberta's energy portfolio. 

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