EDA announces lineup changes to staffing roster
Published on July 25, 2011
July 25, 2011, Medicine Hat Alberta…Starting the second half of the year with fresh perspectives and an eagerness to help grow economic development in the region, the Economic Development Alliance (EDA) of Southeast Alberta welcomes Jonathan Seib, Economic Development Officer; Natasha Ruskowski, Executive Assistant; and Alison Pfeifer, Research Assistant to the team.
Thus far in 2011, the team saw successes in areas such as: Community Economic Development (CED) through completition of a project that contributed over $1 million of Federal Stimulus Funding and local partner dollars into the surrounding communities; Business Expansion and Retention (BE&R) by assisting 40 companies ready to grow- 8 of which were inventions; communications and marketing by promoting business and employment opportunities relating to wind energy; as well as reporting a 23% Return of Investment (ROI) to their funding communities .
“The EDA is moving forward, persistently into the second half of the year. We have talented individuals with skill sets in policy development, business management and operational efficiency, complimentary with the direction that the organization is heading strategically,” said Tracy Heebner, Acting Director for the EDA. “Our team, new and existing, is strong and supported by a Board that is appreciative of what has already been accomplished and excited to see the strategic objectives met by this staff and a soon to be hired Executive Director.”
For the second half of 2011, the organization will be undergoing a complete website reconstruction integrating a new homepage design; cutting-edge stock photography promoting the southeast Alberta advantage; and transitioning to a mobile friendly and interactive interface.
“Recently, Medicine Hat was named Western Canada’s #1 place to do business; with the cost advantages associated to the region and the strong players that are already operating here there is no reason that we don’t receive titles like this regularly,” said Kendra Borgen, Communications Coordinator for the EDA. “The website will be one of many tools that we use to ensure that when we are in contact with potential investors and Trade Commissioners, they have a central area that clearly communicates the regions advantages and tells the rest of the story.
The team will continue to pursue Investment and Attraction (IA) opportunities in particular with the bio-energy sector as well as will move forward with BR&E initiatives such as: taking information gathered in the Wind Energy Development Opportunity Identification Study and Green Building Cluster Opportunity Report and meeting with local companies to ensure that they are prepared for and can capitalize on the opportunities identified.
Heebner explained that part of the EDA’s objectives is to ensure that businesses within the region have a competitive advantage, “We want to ensure that our local companies have first dibs on projects within the area. The wind energy study in particular is an example of a report that outlined opportunities in areas such as excavation, concrete and gravel, and truck drivers. One of our strategies moving forward will be getting that information into the right hands, and also ensuring that if certain certifications are needed to bid on jobs, our companies are aware and have time to implement.”
The EDA will also be implementing a locally grown food awareness campaign, promoting the diversity of agriculture products available in our region.
It’s an exciting year for the EDA, and they encourage companies to contact them to learn more on how the business team can assist them in growing and expanding. To read archived articles that highlight local opportunities or to learn more about the highly skilled staff, visit www.edalliance.ca.