Small communities in some parts of rural and northern Alberta are struggling with economic stability and growth.
Many small businesses have still not recovered from the impacts of the restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic that started in March 2020. Many stores closed temporarily when health officials directed people to distance themselves from others.
Big Lakes County and the Town of High Prairie have taken a big step to build the economy by creating a regional economic development plan for the two neighbouring municipalities.
Business people and residents spoke at community forums in High Prairie on Jan. 12 and Kinuso on Jan. 13. Those at the forums offered a wide variety of ideas and visions to promote and attract economic development to build the region. They all agreed a regional plan for High Prairie and Big Lakes is vital to spur economic growth.
High Prairie can’t do it alone and Big Lakes can’t do it alone – Big Lakes needs High Prairie and High Prairie needs Big Lakes.
While the number of participants may seem low for some people, they were certainly not short on ideas during the healthy discussion at both forums.
Gathering comments from residents and other interested people is always valued and essential when municipalities are launching major projects and plans for the future.
Project consultant Deloitte Canada presented several questions that sparked numerous responses.
- What are your vision or aspirations for the region?
- What are challenges or barriers that risk preventing the region from achieving these aspirations and visions in the next three to five years?
- If money were no object, what projects would advance those aspirations the quickest?
- What new business or industry sector would most impact the region’s growth and quality of life?
Comments at the forums may reflect opinions that others in the community share about economic development.
Although no general community survey is planned in the project, people still have opportunity to share their ideas in the next few weeks. Simply file comments and suggestions to either Big Lakes or the Town of High Prairie to forward to Deloitte.
High Prairie and Big Lakes councils and administration are eager to move forward in the project and committed to take action to work together in economic development to build the region and attract new businesses and people to become residents and tourists.
Geographically, the High Prairie and Big Lakes region is a hub of the north – centrally located. It creates great potential for the future.
Communities can grow when businesses, citizens and municipalities work together.
Richard Froese