The City of Estevan is looking for a new economic development officer (EDO), after Manpreet Sangha stepped down to take a similar job in Ontario.
Sangha has been responsible for local economic development since the summer of 2012. She worked with the Estevan Chamber of Commerce from 2012 to 2015, and then shifted to the city last summer after the city assumed responsibility for economic development and tourism duties from the chamber.
She is leaving Estevan to work as the EDO for Bruce County in southwestern Ontario, which is about a two-hour drive west of Toronto.
“A lot of it will be similar to what I’ve done in Estevan,” Sangha said in an interview with the Mercury. “The population of Bruce County is about 66,000 people, and there are many towns and villages, and national parks and peninsula areas in there, so I will be taking care of the entire area.”
Due to the size of Bruce County, and the area’s population, she believes it represents a step forward in her career.
“I will be able to develop more economic opportunities in the centre,” said Sangha.
During her time with the local chamber, the organization developed a comprehensive economic development plan. The chamber also hosted the Estevan Energy Expo – a showcase of the local oil, gas, mining and power-generating sectors that took place two years ago.
An economic development website has also been created for Estevan.
“It contains various profiles, like community profiles and economic profiles,” said Sangha.
She noted there are plans to enhance downtown Estevan in the future.
“During my tenure while working here as the EDO, we set the foundation of many projects that the city will complete in the future,” said Sangha. “I would count those as the accomplishments.”
The change from working with the chamber to the city went smoothly, she said, as the roles and responsibilities were the same.
Sangha regards Estevan as one of the best communities she has ever lived in. The community accepted her quickly when she moved here four years ago.
“I will really miss every part of Estevan,’ she said.
Sangha’s final day with the city will be July 29. Not only will she be busy finishing up her duties as the local EDO, but she will be active with the Saskatchewan Summer Games that are now underway in the city, as she wanted to fulfill her commitments with the Games before moving to Ontario.
A search for Sangha’s replacement has yet to begin.
