On November 9th at the Elks hall the Mayor will be presenting the strategic plan that will hopefully deal with and resolve the issues that were raised by the Mayor's Taskforce back in May.
I feel from reading the Mayor's report numerous times and based on the comments that I receive from people around town the highest profile issues are the following: The Economy, Tourism, Highway 3, Crowsnest Centre Site, Bridgegate River Run property and Residential Attraction and Retention.
To refresh every body's memories I will include what the Mayor's report had to say on each of these issues. Including the Action, Comments, Timeline, Cost and Source of Funds, and finally the measurement. What you will see below are direct quotes from the Task Force Report.
The Economy:
Action
Adopt a community economic development model:
Disband the current Crowsnest Advisory Committee.
Establish a Community Economic Development Advisory Committee. This committee, established by Council, will advise Council and the EDO and will participate actively in oversight, planning and delivery of results. Council should select members for the Committee through a request for expressions of interest and submission of qualifications. One member of the Committee should be a member of Council. All other members should be chosen based on merit and diversity, resulting in a committee that is representative of the community, including youth and seniors representation.
Hire an Economic Development Officer (EDO) on contract until such time as this position can be added to the Municipal budget.
Establish a budget for administrative support within the budget for the EDO’s office.
Comments
The Community Economic Development Advisory Committee is an essential advisory body to work with Council and the EDO to maintain a strategic and effective focus on economic development and bring the voice of the community to these important initiatives.
Hiring an EDO is seen as a top priority in order to implement this Plan and change the direction of the economic future for the community
Timeline
June-Sept 2011
Cost and Source of Funds
S80,000 per year for EDO salary from Municipal budget
Measurement
Both in place by the end of Q3 2011
Tourism
Action
Establish a full-time Tourism Coordinator Position and implement the approved Visitor Friendly Tourism Development Plan.
Comments
Community Futures will establish a full-time Tourism Coordinator position. This individual will be responsible for supporting tourism initiatives and will work with the Travel Alberta, the DMO, tourism organizations and operators to achieve tourism growth objectives.
Timeline
Sept – Nov 2011 and ongoing
Cost and source of Funds
Community Futures budget for Tourism Coordinator
Measurement
Tourism Coordinator place by Q4 2011
Highway 3
Action
Achieve agreement with the Government of Alberta on the location and timing of the realignment of Highway 3.
Comments
The uncertainty around this is a significant barrier to economic development in Crowsnest Pass and clarity will enable commitments from developers on major initiatives. The recent Alberta Competitiveness Council Report, “Moving Alberta Forward”,16 stated the need to increase the province’s ability to supply the Port of Vancouver and improvements to Highway 3 would be a significant contributor to this strategy.
Timeline
June-November 2011
Cost and Source of Funds
None
Measurement
Formal statement on plans for Highway 3
Crowsnest Centre Site
Action
Demolish and remediate the former Crowsnest Centre site and issue an RFP to developers for proposals to redevelop the site.
Comments
This site represents a significant opportunity for economic development in the community which must be capitalized on without further delay.
Timeline
June – Nov 2011
Cost and Source of Funds
Unknown
Measurement
New vision for development by Q4 2011
Bridgegate River Run Property
Action
Investigate opportunities to re-appropriate the former Bridgegate River Run property and actively pursue proposals for redevelopment.
Comments
This site also represents a significant opportunity for economic development which must be capitalized on without further delay.
Timeline
Sept 2011 – Dec 2011
Cost and Source of Funds
Unknown
Measurement
New vision for development by end of Q4 2011
Residential Attraction and Retention
Action
Develop relationship with Human Resources at Teck and Devon to understand how Crowsnest Pass could assist them in their recruitment and retention processes and attract new residents to Crowsnest Pass:
Work with Teck to identify ways to support their current expansion process.
Identify long-term opportunities for ongoing attraction of employees to the organizations and to Crowsnest Pass, including affordable housing.
Comments
Teck and Devon are important partners in the Crowsnest Pass economic future and the relationship with these organizations must be mutually beneficial.
Timeline
May – June 2011
Cost and Source of Funds
No Cost
Measurement
Successful attraction of expanded workforce to Teck and Crowsnest Pass
Do you agree with these being the
issues, should there be others. What do you feel should be done, and what are your expectations, wishes or hopes for resolution of these issues.
Do you think will are going to see timely achievable resolutions to the problems listed or will it be smoke and mirrors?
