(Olds, AB) The Town of Olds, Invest Olds and Community Futures Central Alberta (CFCA) are pleased to announce a new formalized partnership, known as the Next Generation Economy Initiative (NGEI). The project was announced at a kick-off event held at the Town of Olds office on June 14.
The project is funded by Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) through the Community Futures Pan West Network, which provides support to a network of 90 Community Futures organizations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba who provide business development services to Canada’s rural West.
The purpose of this project is to establish new supports for the NGEI and local business with the ultimate goal of increasing business capacity, retention, and expansion in the Olds region.
Sandra Blyth, Manager, Economic Development for Invest Olds commented, “This is an exciting partnership and an exciting time for our community and region. This is the first of many partnerships to come in the following months as we roll-out the NGEI. Olds is a community that supports regional collaboration and as Mayor Dahl said, ‘We are truly the sum of our individual parts meaning growth of our neighbours also means growth in the Town of Olds’.”
The celebration event featured the launch of the Regional Business Support Network (RBSN). The RBSN will operate out of the Town of Olds office but will be shared positions among the partners. Michelle McFadden will serve as new Business Development Advisor, while Anne Serrano is the new Digital Service Specialist. The positions will work with business owners and start-ups on increasing their capacity and accessing resources like Community Futures Central Alberta’s training and financing.
Kelly Kierluk, General Manager for CFCA remarked, “This project will benefit new and existing business owners by providing great business expertise in the Olds area. It will also allow Community Futures Central Alberta to offer more resources to entrepreneurs through local one-on-one guidance and advice.”
The launch event was attended by representatives from the Community Futures Pan West network, Government of Alberta, council members from the Town of Olds, Mountainview County, Olds College of Agriculture and Technology officials, Olds and District Chamber of Commerce, and many others. Learn more at Regional Business Support Network (investolds.ca)
