Craig Guidinger, left, with the City of Prince Albert, speaks ahead of the official signing of a new agreement for a regional economic development initiative. The founding members include, from left: Reeve Don Fyrk, RM of Buckland; Acting Reeve Richard Wilson, RM of P.A.; Chief Austin Bear with the Muskoday First Nation; Shellbrook Mayor George Tomporowski and Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne. (Charlene Tebbutt/ paNOW Staff)

By Charlene Tebbutt

economic development

City, local-area municipalities to work together to promote economic development

Mar 8, 2019 | 5:07 PM

The City of Prince Albert has officially signed on to a new agreement to work with surrounding communities to promote economic development in the region.

Mayor Greg Dionne signed an official memorandum of understanding at an event Friday at City Hall. Dionne was joined by community leaders from Shellbrook, the rural municipalities of both Prince Albert and Buckland, and the Muskoday First Nation. The Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation has also committed to the MOU.

The communities become founding members of the new Prince Albert Regional Economic Development Alliance. The concept is not new in Prince Albert – the city formed a regional economic development authority in the past – but Dionne said the initiative is one that will work this time around, adding that earlier efforts were working in P.A., but the province later shut down all regional enterprise zones across Saskatchewan.

“So now it’s up and running, and it’s in our control, so that won’t happen again,” Dionne added. “I think we’re coming together right at the right time, because when it comes to economic development, our province has totally slowed right down,” Dionne said.

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The City of Prince Albert is contributing the largest amount of money per capita, directing $100,000 to the initiative. The amount of funding is based on the size of each community.

Dionne said the city has a lot to gain from the new deal.

“We have the biggest population and I believe we’re going to be the biggest benefactor [and] that’s what it’s all about, it’s about expanding your tax base,” he said. “The bigger your tax base, the less the impact is.”

Chief Austin Bear from the Muskoday First Nation spoke positively about the agreement Friday. Bear said including First Nations groups in regional development opportunities not only promotes jobs and growth, but reconciliation as well.

“Including First Nations in this effort is somewhat historical for our region,” Bear said. “I think to be part of a larger organization, and one that has the same goals and aspirations, I think that’s where the greatest potential and opportunity lies.”

Shellbrook Mayor George Tomporowksi said signing on to the MOU is a significant step that will help grow his community.

“It’s extremely difficult for small communities to compete in a global market, we just don’t have the resources,” he said. “We’re excited about the probability of marketing the whole region and perhaps getting into where we are starting to attract some economic development.”

Dionne said tourism will also now fall under the new alliance. The department has floundered in recent years as the city reviewed its direction and mandate.

“Now we have a clear direction, so that’s exciting,” Dionne added.

Membership in the new economic development alliance is open to any individual, agency, municipality or First Nation or private sector business. Applications are currently open for five members-at-large positions, and recruitment will begin soon to fill the role of chief executive officer.

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Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt