Lunch and Learn
By Diana Walker
Wanda Diakow is the Economic Development Officer at the Special Areas Board. Her work centers on improving the vitality and sustainability of the rural community through strategic initiatives. On June 12, Wanda co-ordinated Unlocking Innovation, a one-hour Lunch & Learn event in the FCSS Community Centre Oyen. This collaborative event, co-sponsored by Special Areas Regional Economic Development, Apex Alberta, Alberta Innovates, and the Palliser Economic Partnership, is designed for business owners, entrepreneurs, and community organizations to explore the innovation and entrepreneurship programs available to support business growth across the region.
Tracy Stroud share a wealth of information about turning a business idea into reality. Photo by Diana Walker
Barb Kulyk, Executive Director at Palliser Economic Partnership, spoke briefly about how her organization connects Southeast Alberta to markets and investments in Canada and abroad. Palliser Economic Partnership covers a large area.
Their website features community profiles for Brooks, Medicine Hat, County of Newell, Cypress County, MD of Acadia, Special Areas 2, 3 and 4, Bassano, Bow Island, Coronation, Hanna, Oyen, Redcliff, Acme, Consort, Duchess, Empress, Foremost, Rosemary, Youngstown.
It features the top industries which include Value-Added Agriculture, Pulse Processing, Craft Brewing and Distilling, Hemp and Cannabis, Wind and Solar Energy and Aerospace and Defense as well as highlights investment attractions, export preparations and incentives.
What do you do if you have a business idea and you are looking for help?
Call Tracy Stoud, APEX Regional Innovation Network (RIN) Manager at Community Futures Entre-Corp Business Development in Medicine Hat.
She spoke about how she can help you develop a business strategy, find financing or grants for your business, help build a digital presence, find training courses to accelerate your growth utilizing network partners that include Community Futures Entre-Corp Business Development, Community Futures Chinook, Medicine Hat College, Brooks Newell Region Economic Development, Defence Research & Development Canada – Suffield Base and Alberta Innovates.
In short, she can help companies start, grow and innovate in SE Alberta!