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Regional economic development goes forward
Susan Thompson
for South Peace News
The M.D. of Smoky River will remain committed to regional economic development, at least for now.
The future of the regional economic development board has been in question since Falher announced its withdrawal in June. Falher’s departure is a blow to the board since the town is a business hub in the region and was contributing about $17,000 to the board annually.
McLennan’s Mayor Don Regier has said he’s “disappointed” by Falher’s withdrawal. McLennan and the board’s other members had hoped to convince Falher to return to the board at a regional meeting of the municipalities in McLennan on Sept. 22.
“Falher’s out. We tried to persuade them to come back in but they didn’t like that too much,” says M.D. of Smoky River No. 130 Reeve Donald Dumont.
Any member can leave the regional board after giving six months notice, meaning Falher is still a member until Dec. 31. The town of McLennan and the villages of Girouxville and Donnelly had all indicated prior to the Sept. 22 meeting that they’ll remain committed to the board despite Falher’s departure. However, the M.D. of Smoky River waited for the regional meeting before making any decision about how to move forward.
The future of the board hinges on the M.D’s decision, since the M.D. is now contributing the majority of the funds the board needs to operate.
“If we’re out its gone,” Dumont says. However, the M.D. would also have to give six months notice before withdrawing, and it has not given that notice.
“What we’ll probably have to do is reevaluate funding in next budget year,” the Reeve says.
For now, Falher will remain part of the regional economic development board’s community profiler. The board may still face tough decisions in future about whether or not to continue its support of two other major projects, a daycare and planned Grandma’s Den social housing, both of which are to be situated in the town of Falher.
Falher’s Mayor Margaret Tardif has defended the town’s decision to leave the board, saying regional economic development is not increasing the town’s tax assessment and that the town can better spend its board membership contribution elsewhere.
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