Where do we grow from here?
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- Published on Monday, June 22, 2015
By Vern May
Minnedosa & Area Community Development Corporation
The mission itself is simple and clear: Create growth, encourage residents, business and industry to relocate to town, expanding our tax base and creating more jobs and opportunities for future generations. Seems straight forward enough, right?But before we can commit pen to paper on a marketing plan, we first need to identify the inventory of what we鈥檙e physically selling. If there鈥檚 no opportunity, how do we sell that?
It begins with identifying that we have vacant land or buildings that are ripe for development. What homes do we have on the market? If we don鈥檛 have housing to accommodate newcomers, we can鈥檛 aggressively pursue any opportunity in earnest. If we鈥檙e sitting back scratching our heads about what land presents the opportunity for growth, chances are we can鈥檛 inspire confidence in those with the money to invest.
It鈥檚 not as easy as opening the door, pointing to the horizon and saying, 鈥淕et business!鈥漈hat鈥檚 not how the world works.
In part, we need to take an honest look at our towns and allow ourselves not to be blinded by the history that prevents us from seeing our future. Just because a lot has sat vacant for a generation does not mean we can鈥檛 develop there, but we need to open the door to possibility and share that with a wide audience, allowing the insight and imagination of others to see the potential. But they can鈥檛 buy if they don鈥檛 know we鈥檙e selling.
We must always remember that it鈥檚 not just a piece of land we鈥檙e trying to populate. Land is in great abundance across the province and beyond. Simply posting a Lots for Sale sign may not get it done anymore. What we need to focus on is the lifestyle one can expect when they buy OUR land. Is there a strategic benefit to their business? Does it fill a service need in the community that鈥檚 currently missing? How does our community contribute to their ideal picture of their own future?
There will always be intangibles 鈥� factors in the marketplace we can鈥檛 control. But while we can鈥檛 influence these advantages or setbacks, we can be keen observers and explore any opportunities these changes create. An upward turn in one industry could create direct or indirect business growth and an opening for our town to get in the game... if we鈥檙e keeping our finger on the pulse.
Poll any number of economic development officers across the province and you鈥檒l find there isn鈥檛 an established blueprint for guaranteed prosperity. But with an honest assessment of where you are, a thorough analysis of what you鈥檝e got and a strategic approach targeting the important goals, you鈥檝e equipped yourself with all the tools and work with partners can begin.
Let鈥檚 continue the conversation and explore the possibilities that exist, by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) or phone (204-867-3885). The best things around that I have ever seen, came from small towns and big dreams.
