Central Alberta Economic Partnership Ltd. is entering 2012 a leaner organization, after it lost much of its provincial funding and administrative support.
Alberta Finance and Enterprise announced early last year it was reducing the annual grant it provides to regional economic development alliances like CAEP, and would no longer furnish them with office space and administrative staff. For 2012, CAEP is receiving $75,000, plus a $50,000 transitional grant.
“It used to be up in the neighbourhood of $250,000 to $300,000,” said CAEP chair Al Kemmere, who is a councillor with Mountain View County.
The loss of office space and staff — the value of which was previously estimated at $250,000 — has also created a financial squeeze.
CAEP has responded by boosting the annual dues of its 42 municipal members to 40 cents per capital from 30 cents. Memberships for its 14 associate members — which include businesses and other organizations — have jumped to $400 from $300.
CAEP recently acquired new space on the second floor of the Fletcher Printing building at 4838 52nd St., which Kemmere said is adequate for committee meetings and some administrative functions. And Dale Barr, the former mayor of Rimbey who spent six years on the CAEP board, including two as chair, became its manager in October.
“We’re very fortunate in the fact that Dale knows CAEP very well, being the past chair,” said Kemmere.
Plans are also in place to work more closely with the economic development agencies of municipalities in the region, he said.
CAEP’s plans for 2012 should be clearer next month, said Kemmere.
“At the end of January we’re holding our two-day strategic planning session, where we’re going to set our direction for the future and then build our budget off of that.”
But Kemmere said CAEP will continue to play an active role in promoting economic development in Central Alberta — including helping communities ready themselves for investment, working to address labour shortages and promoting the region generally.
“Let the rest of the world know what we have to offer,” summed up Kemmere.
Formed in 1998, CAEP is one of 13 regional economic development alliances in Alberta.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com