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Message from the Mayor
By Ute Juras
Mayor of the Village of Canal Flats
It looks like summer has finally arrived and I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine, the lake and each other.
I would like to start off with some exciting news.
Village of Canal Flats council is pleased to announce that Heidi Frank will be the new Chief Administrative Officer for the village effective August 15. It’s been a lengthy process, and we are happy to have someone with Heidi’s experience come to our village.
Ms Frank brings a strong background in municipal experience as Chief Administrative Officer from the local governments of Clinton, Sicamous and Oliver. She also brings experience from the private sector as a public relations manager along with being a former economic development officer.
Please don’t hesitate to stop by the office or at a Council Meeting and extend Heidi a warm Canal Flats welcome.
In the meantime our Economic Development Liaisons have been working very hard and were able to provide council with an update last week. They have reached out to many small business and self-employed, home-based businesses in the village. The Village of Canal Flats views its entrepreneurs as a key part of our future economic development strategy.
First phase of the business liaison contract has been completed with implementation of the Canal Flats ‘Business Connect’ program as well as a business retention and expansion (BRE) project.
Here are some highlights:
– Business Connect program launched – purpose is to provide support to business community and commercial/industrial land and building owners and provide links to regional business supports. This program is confirmed through the end of November and council is seeking resources to keep it in place into the future. Contact the village office for more information about Business Connect.
– Through the BRE project, 46 active businesses and 27 commercial and industrial land/building owners in Canal Flats have been identified.
– Contact has been made with close to 30% of the identified businesses in the community; business support provided where needed.
– Council is reviewing several immediate actions to support local businesses and will make an announcement in coming weeks. Consideration is being given to creating new highway signs highlighting some of the services and amenities available in Canal Flats, and other business promotion and support initiatives.
Future phases of the business liaison contract to be completed by early fall include a land opportunity assessment and investment attraction strategy.
Council has also been busy providing input into the overall economic development vision and strategy for Canal Flats, which will also be ready for release this fall. Council would like to thank the community for participating in the input and engagement process towards developing this strategy.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions/concerns (Phone: 250-489-9070, E-mail: [email protected])
