Humboldt businesses got to see the power of partnership at the Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Jan. 21.
Celine Favreau, Director of Operations and Planning with Mid-Sask Municipal Alliance (MSMA) was the guest speaker to talk about MSMA’s most recent projects.
“We at Mid-Sask welcome the opportunity, when we were approached by (the Chamber) executive, to build a relationship and identify ways to work together moving forward.”
The MSMA has partnered four local rural municipalities, seven towns and villages, one resort village, and the City of Humboldt to work collectively on local issues since 2013.
The communities have worked together to create official community plans, asset management, aligned their zoning bylaws, and are working on completing GIS mapping of their areas.
“They’ve really done all the foundational pieces that are required for a planning district to help communities launch future development initiatives.”
Favreau mostly spoke of their most recent project, Entrepreneurial Development Strategy, a support system they are building to help further economic growth in the region.
In partnership with the Saskatchewan Economic Development Association and the Aboriginal Business Service Network of Southern Saskatchewan, MSMA is working to fill the gaps between entrepreneurial initiatives and current business and available support systems.
Favreau says that this has been an area of development that the group wants to focus on moving forward.
“They realized that the region has huge potential for new business development so they see that as a strength the region has.”
With this initiative coming into place, MSMA members believe that more businesses can be established and more people attracted to the region, as well as an increase in investment into the region, says Favreau.
Support for the initiative is coming from many local supports, including the Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce and some economic development agencies in the region.
“We’re hoping to build on those agencies supports as well.”
Favreau was quick to point out that these initiatives will not replace any existing services in the area and a big step in bridging the gaps between entrepreneurs and supports is developing partnerships with already existing stakeholders, no matter where they are located.
This way, a complete assessment can be done on what services are available before moving forward to fill in possible service gaps, says Favreau.
“Through the process we hope to completely engage those existing agencies so they are at the table with us and they are listed as part of the network and promoting the network.”
One gap that has already been identified has been connecting business issues with the municipalities. Development decisions do not always connect with the issues that businesses are having, says Favreau.
“That’s one area of real importance to focus on early in the project.”
Mid-Sask Municipal Alliance Municipalities:
Rural Municipality of LeRoy #339
Rural Municipality of Morris #312
Rural Municipality of Prairie Rose #309
Rural Municipality of Usborne #310
Town of Lanigan
Town of LeRoy
Town of Nokomis
Town of Watrous
Town of Watson
Resort Village of Manitou Beach
Village of Drake
Village of Jansen
City of Humboldt
