The City of Yorkton will take a leadership role in creating a new Regional Economic Association (REA).
The purpose of the REA "is to re-establish the linkages with the surrounding communities located within the 80 kilometre radius, which was broken due to the demise of the Saskatchewan East Enterprise Region," Faisal Anwar, economic development officer with the City told the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.
"It will also create opportunities for communities within this region to work together in fostering the process of sustainable regional economic development."
Anwar said the REA would be a phased in development over four years.
In 2013, the plan would be to "form an economic development association between communities like Yorkton, Esterhazy, Langenburg, Canora, Melville, Ituna, Foam Lake, Churchbridge, RMs and First Nations to share ideas and resources," noted a report circulated to Council.
Step two in 2014, would be to "create a centralized electronic clearinghouse with monthly meetings between economic development officers, community development officers, administrators and others in various locations of the region."
By 2015 the REA would become more formal in its operation, said Anwar, with the creation of formal partnerships with outside organizations that include the first two actions.
The formal agreement for services would come in 2016, with the creation of a centralized office and a formal agreement for services "with each participant contributing through an adopted formula," said Anwar.
The formal aspect would include creating an "Economic Development Authority in one community that acts on behalf of all parties in the region," he added.
Funding would be "through a formula adopted by parties to an agreement," said Anwar.
The REA will replace the provincially disbanded Economic Regions.
"All participants agreed to re-establish the broken linkages, share the best practices, and create informal partnerships on regional economic development projects," offered Anwar.
Anwar said as the major centre in the region Yorkton was looked too for leadership.
"The communities in the region were also looking at Yorkton to take a lead role in the development of the Regional Economic Association," he said.
In terms of cost "the first two steps of this model are intended to be accomplished with little to no impact on the fiscal environment," said Anwar.
"Steps three and four will require budget commitments that will be indentified through the Operational Budget of the Economic Division."
Councillor James Wilson liked the direction of the REA.
"I think this is a great step forward," he said, adding the City is not bearing the cost load by itself, "but is taking a lead on this."
Coun. Ross Fisher agreed it was "a very good idea," adding it was important to "break down some of the barriers," in order to promote regional economic growth.
