(File Photo/paNOW)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Economic Partnership

P.A. council looking to continuing regional economic approach with neighbouring communities

Oct 26, 2021 | 12:12 PM

The City of Prince Albert is one step closer to continuing its plans in creating a regional approach for economic development.

Their council met for an executive committee meeting on Monday where they discussed extending the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) they have with the Rural Municipalities of Prince Albert and Buckland, the Town of Shellbrook, the Muskoday First Nation, and Peter Ballantyne Developments LP.

The MOU was signed in March 2019 with most of the work done in the past couple of years focusing on setting up the Prince Albert Regional Economic Development Alliance (PAREDA).

“I’m very much looking forward to as I think that’s when we’ll see PAREDA get off the ground and see tangible results,” said Craig Guidinger, Director of Planning & Development Services for the City of P.A.

So far, PAREDA has named a CEO, Ashley Charles, and held meetings with different businesses and organizations.

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They also took over the responsibilities of Prince Albert Tourism & Marketing Bureau Inc. which has seen them create different videos, partnering with Tourism Saskatchewan and Phoenix Group, to try and attract more people to the region. Guidinger noted these videos are set to be released in the coming weeks.

Now that the foundation has been set, P.A.’s Mayor Greg Dionne believes this partnership can help the city benefit from sectors they usually don’t.

“The forestry industry is getting ready to take off… you look at the price of lumber, we should be in that business,” Dionne said.

He added the other communities will also heavily benefit.

There are several projects taking place that are expected to help drive the economies of all areas.

“Boy, all I can say is jobs, jobs, jobs,” Dionne said.

This includes the Oriented Strand Board (OSB) plant, expansion of the Dunkley Lumber sawmill in Carrot River, and the hospital expansion in P.A which is slated to start construction next spring.

Meanwhile, P.A.’s council still needs to approve extending the MOU, which is being proposed for another three years, before the alliance can move forward with any plans.

Guidinger stated once the city gives the green light, he sees the other areas quickly following suit.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow