Gary Slipp’s return to Red Deer is a homecoming of sorts — although the new manager of Central Alberta: Access Prosperity acknowledges that some time has passed since he was a student at Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School.
“We’re talking a few years ago, when they heated schools with pot-bellied stoves and that sort of thing,” joked Slipp, who grew up in Didsbury but was attracted to Lindsay Thurber by the school’s semester system.
He now returns to Red Deer after about eight years with Calgary Economic Development. Prior to that, he worked as an automation engineer in the Middle East.
Central Alberta: Access Prosperity is a partnership involving the City of Red Deer, Red Deer County, the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce, Red Deer College and Central Alberta Economic Partnership. It’s working to attract foreign investment to the region.
The initiative was previously managed by Cyril Cooper, the city’s land and economic development officer, until Cooper left the city in February.
Slipp, who moved into his new position on Friday, believes Red Deer is big enough that it needs an economic development program.
“There are so many businesses here that could elevate their brand domestically and internationally,” he said. “At the same time, Red Deer has a great story in terms of attracting business.”
Recalling the inquiries that Calgary Economic Development’s global business centre received on a daily basis, Slipp sees no reason why the Red Deer region shouldn’t attract similar interest from investors. But he also recognizes the importance of focusing on labour as well.
“So there are two parts to our program: one is investment attraction and the other is labour attraction. They’re both equal partners.”
Slipp hopes to spread the word about career opportunities in Central Alberta, and spread it far.
“Part of what we’ll do is take the message to places like Western Europe — to Ireland, for example, where there are some highly skilled people looking for work, the U.S. Midwest, universities across the country.”
Slipp also hopes to convince local businesses to climb aboard the economic development bandwagon.
He wants to raise awareness about Central Alberta: Access Prosperity, how businesses here can benefit from its work and how they can get involved.
Meanwhile, the City of Red Deer has chosen a new land and economic development manager.
Michelle Zeggil, a land and economic development specialist with the city, is scheduled to step into that position in July, said John Sennema, manager of Red Deer’s Land and Economic Development Department. Amber Haustein, who has been serving as the land and economic development specialist temporarily, has moved into that role on a permanent basis.
Sennema said Zeggil and Haustein bring continuity to the department.
“They’ve got some good history here, and I’m excited to move forward with those two.”
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com