With a cool climate and sparse population by southern standards, Central Alberta might seem an uninviting place to many foreigners.
Red Deer Regional Economic Development hopes to change this view with the help of a new video it unveiled on Wednesday.
The approximately eight-minute promotional piece describes the appeal of Red Deer and the surrounding region, drawing heavily on the perspectives of newcomers to the area.
Immigrants from South Africa, El Salvador, Holland and Korea speak glowingly about their experiences here, praising the local recreational opportunities, shopping, economy, scenery, diversity, hospitality and other amenities.
“It’s even showing that winter isn’t scary,” said RDRED economic development specialist Erin Gates, referring to clips of skating and cross-country and downhill skiing.
The video was shown during the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce’s February Ambassador’s Luncheon, but should soon be widely available.
“We expect within the next week to have it on our website, movingtoreddeer.ca, and our reddeercorridor site as well,” said Gates.
The video will likely find its way onto Twitter and Facebook, she added, and be shown in other places like national and international job fairs.
Mandi Carroll, an economic development co-ordinator with Red Deer County, talked about Alberta’s anticipated labour shortage prior to the video being shown. She stressed the importance of attracting people to this province and region.
Work on the video, which was produced by Lindisfarne Productions of Edmonton, began in September, said Gates. It cost about $27,000, with this amount covered by a provincial grant.