YORKTON - A new group is hoping to formalize an organization dedicated to regional economic development.
Currently operating under the name Central Prairie Development Alliance – a formal title will be developed in the coming month – the group is hoping to draw representatives of a number of area communities together to cooperate on economic development, explained Gwen Machnee from Suncrest College.
Machnee said the group is defining itself “as kind of the trading area of Yorkton”, so north to Hudson Bay, east to Dauphin, west to Ituna and Foam Lake and so on.
It’s a case where much of economic development on a community level ripples regionally, said Machnee.
A canola plant expansion in Yorkton spurs housing not just in the city but area communities, and that can lead to localized needs for more daycare, or hair stylists in neighbouring communities.
Creating a group with an over-arching vision can build on those naturally occurring synergies.
The area also explains the founding groups behind the new effort, the college providing some start-up dollars via a grant, the City of Yorkton’s Economic Development Committee, the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce and the Yorkton Tribal Council.
So far the group has held informational meetings in Canora, Ituna and Langenburg, with a fourth planned for Melville, said Machnee, adding the interest appears to be there, so formalizing the group is next.
For example, Machnee said while the College had a $1 million grant from which they are drawing some start-up dollars, it is expected communities involved will need to pay a fee to help fund the organization.
Working committees also need to be established to work on specific aspects of economic development, said Machnee.
“We don’t want to just meet. We want to see some progress,” she said, adding she expects a more formalized group will exist by year-end.
Part of that progress will be looking to do community workshops – for example how to create a stronger web presence to support local businesses, said Machnee.
Staying on the web Machnee said a website listing local assets available in each member communities – businesses for sale, residential lot availability and similar information needed by business looking to the region is planned.
Machnee said a group of major industrial companies in the region, the canola plants, Grain Millers, potash mines, TA foods and others have been meeting to discuss common issues and needs – housing, daycare, and access to health care professionals. It is expected that group will eventually come under the umbrella of the Central Prairie Development Alliance.
