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Program Assists Drayton Valley's Bio-Mile Initiative | |
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From the Sept 30, 2009 Issue of Agri-News | |
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| | In response to the economic downturn, many Alberta communities are developing innovative economic development projects to help get them through these hard times. The Regional and Community Adaptation (RCA) unit supports these efforts. The RCA helps communities reach their goals and move toward long-term economic sustainability. The unit works with community project sponsors, providing advice, access to information and referrals to programs or funding sources.
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"There are many resources available to communities. Knowing where to look and selecting the programs and supports that fit are obstacles for community economic development projects," says Rodger Cole, director of the Regional and Community Adaptation unit. "We are ready, willing and able to help communities define what they need to do and how to access technical knowledge in government and funding programs."
One case-in-point is Drayton Valley's Bio-Mile initiative. This major economic development project will position the town as a leader in the bio-economy by attracting world class firms to develop new technologies to use and convert the region's forestry and agricultural bio-mass into globally competitive products.
"Drayton Valley has a vision for an innovative and complex economic development initiative. We were able to help to define the individual elements of the project. Through our contacts within government, we identified resources and programs that could help move the project forward," says Cole.
"When the RCA unit started to work with us, we were able to focus our efforts more effectively," says Manny Deol, Drayton Valley's town manager. "As a result, we were much more successful in putting financial resources in place which allowed us to make some real progress with our Bio-Mile initiative."
With assistance from RCA unit, the town of Drayton Valley successfully applied for a $500,000 grant from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. The grant will provide the resources to hire the right people to manage the many components of the Bio-Mile project.
On request, the RCA unit works with communities to establish their needs and build economic strategies. The team develops project plans and explores potential program and funding options.
The RCA is not a funding program. The unit's main priority is helping communities facing difficult economic times. The team members have a strong background in economic and regional development.
To contact the RCA unit, call 780-427-2005 (toll-free by dialling 310-0000).
Contact:
Rodger Cole
780-399-8937 |
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For more information about the content of this document, contact Lee Anne Bateman.
This document is maintained by Rita Splawinski.
This information published to the web on September 30, 2009.
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