Dave Kane is the new economic development officer for the Municipal District of Smoky River. Kane, originally from Newfoundland, took over the position June 23.

The Municipal District of Smoky River has formally filled the position of economic development officer. And the new man on the economic development block is Dave Kane, who officially began his new role with the M.D. on June 23. “It’s an exciting role, one which I definitely feel I can positively influence based on my business administration background,” says Kane, who is looking forward to the challenges which lay ahead. Kane, a native of Newfoundland who graduated from the Memorial University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Business Administration, came to the region in April of last year with his girlfriend, a recreation therapist at Sacred Heart Healthcare Centre in McLennan. He’s spent the first few days as economic development officer getting accustomed to his new surroundings while getting a firm understanding of the many projects presently on the go. And what he’s seen thus far, he certainly likes, especially from an economic development vantage point. “The Smoky River region has a tremendous amount of opportunity and potential in terms of future development,” Kane acknowledges, adding that he hopes to pick up where former EDO Greg Radstaak left off by maintaining a strong, professional working relationship with municipal councils in the area. Radstaak officially resigned from the position of Smoky River economic development officer in April after accepting the role as director of regional development for Alberta Finance & Enterprise (a branch of the Government of Alberta) in High Prairie. Kane, meanwhile, says one of his first orders of business as economic development officer in the weeks ahead is to meet with municipal councils as well as the Smoky River Regional Economic Development board in the coming weeks to get an accurate pulse of the region. “Right now, I’m just trying to meet as many people as I can while familiarizing myself with the strengths of the region and what’s happening,” says Kane, who wants to work closely with municipal councils by developing effective strategies which address the need for both residential and commercial growth. A few of the more notable topics Kane is presently researching include the 26 kilometre connector route from McLennan to Peavine, the Donnelly Corner proposal and the positive regional impact of future oil sands development. Kane was formally introduced by Smoky River Family & Community Support Services director Penny Fox at last week’s Rachel Notley meet-and-greet luncheon at the visitor information centre in Falher. Notley is MLA for Edmonton-Strathcona and was joined by Nathan Macklin, NDP candidate for Dunvegan-Central Peace in the provincial election held earlier this spring.