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Falher leaves regional economic development board
Susan Thompson
for Smoky River Express
The hot topic at last night’s regional meeting of the five local municipalities was Falher’s withdrawal from the regional economic development board.
The town of McLennan hosted the meeting and made sure the issue was on the agenda. Falher’s withdrawal was a topic of concern at McLennan’s own town council meeting on Sept. 14, which included presentations from members of the regional economic development board.
“Falher’s committed until Dec. 31. They had to give 6 months notice to leave,” economic development representative Rita L’Heureux told McLennan.
“It was written into the regional board’s bylaws that any member could withdraw with six months notice,”
Falher gave that notice in June.
The regional board has since drafted a letter of concern to be sent to Falher because the board feels some major projects are threatened by Falher’s departure.
“Two major projects that benefit Falher have been receiving help and support from the regional economic development board. The new daycare and also the Grandma’s Den social housing mainly benefit Falher, and we are still being asked to help,” board representative Ray Johnson told McLennan council.
The community profiler being prepared by economic development in cooperation with the Express also includes Falher.
Falher’s departure means the regional board will now have to make some tough decisions about when to help and when to withdraw its support for certain regional projects.
“It’s really going to impact how we think at board level,” warns L’Heureux.
Falher was also contributing about $17,000 as a member of the board, which will now have to be spread among the board’s remaining members.
“My concern is that groups often need a little seed money to get a study done to get a grant etc. We provide that seed money, so that seed money is now threatened,” says Johnson.
The M.D. of Smoky River will make a decision about how to move forward now that all five municipalities have met and discussed the issue.
“We discussed it at council and and had decided to wait until after the regional meeting to make a decision,” says Reeve Donald Dumont.
Meanwhile, neighbouring towns say they’re still committed to the economic development board.
“I’m disappointed if Falher pulls out,” says McLennan Mayor Donald Regier. “It will impact on economic development. It’s very hard to deal with development on a regional basis if one of the partners is not involved,” Regier says.
“I would like to know if there’s anything we can change or address to get them to come back. If they want to change something we’re willing to look at that.”
McLennan will remain part of the regional board.
“I feel it’s very important. It may not be as effective without Falher but we’ll continue doing it,” Regier says.
At press time Girouxville had no comment on Falher’s departure, preferring instead to wait to discuss it at last night’s meeting. However, the village confirms it has no plans to leave the regional board.
Donnelly councillor Susan Lafreniere hopes Falher will return to regional economic development in the future.
“Economic development has done a lot for Falher and the region,” says Lafreniere. “Hopefully Falher will be able to look at their budget next year and put economic development back into their budget.”
But Falher’s Mayor Margaret Tardif says budget concerns are not the main reason the town left the board.
“Budget was not the major force,” Tardif says.
“Spending the money does have an effect, it’s just that the town of Falher has x amount of dollars and we have to spend it on what’s best for Falher.”
Falher is a business hub and has been a central part of regional economic development until now.
“Falher was the community that first started economic development,” Tardif points out. “Then the M.D. joined us.”
Some of the original projects completed by economic development were the construction of the Fields store and the Honeycomb Inn. Economic development also assisted Smoky Pork with their start-up.
Now, however, Tardif says, “The emphasis of economic development is no longer what we feel is economic development. It’s supposed to be about bringing assessment to the municipalities and the area.”
Despite the fact that current projects largely benefit Falher, Tardif says they don’t benefit Falher’s tax base.
“Having a daycare is very important but that’s no economic development since it doesn’t increase tax assessment. We should be emphasizing bringing assessment.”
As for the Grandma’s Den social housing, Tardif says, “Again, it’s a very good project but it’s not a project that brings assessment to town of Falher. Also, the residents that will be staying there are not only from Falher.”
Tardif adds Falher’s decision to pull out had nothing to do with the town’s recent flirtation with dissolution
“It had nothing to do with dissolution. It just had to do with where we were going,” Tardif says.
Tardif also says the regional economic development board has had some problems with quorum in the past due to difficulties in finding dedicated board members.
However, economic development board representatives still feel the board is a valuable regional forum that fosters growth and creates positive long-term results.
“I think the problem is that [Falher council is] thinking like grain farmers rather than orchard farmers. If I plant a cherry tree it takes years to get fruit,” board representative Johnson told McLennan town council. “Economic development is a three or four year investment. You don’t get yearly returns.”
Tardif says the town is willing to run the risk of missing out on some future development.
“Even if we don’t attract businesses to Falher, at least we’re not spending that amount of money just to have an office exist.”
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