Released on April 3, 2007
The South Parkland Regional Economic Development Authority (REDA) is undertaking a marketing and promotions project for its region as a means of attracting out-of-province people to settle in the area.
The Best Kept Secret Relocation Project involves the development of a presentation and information package that was used to promote the region in the Greater Toronto Area. It also includes a regional business directory, a listing of major area employers, an updated South Parkland REDA website, a promotional brochure, and an informational CD that features a virtual tour of the region.
“Building a growing and prosperous economy takes the right mix of community involvement, regional collaboration, leadership, private sector engagement and government support,” Acting Regional Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Mark Wartman said. “The Best Kept Secret initiative is a great example of how communities can promote themselves as ideal places to live, work and raise a family.”
South Parkland REDA’s partnership with other REDAs in past initiatives, such as the Last Cattle Frontier, has proven successful in attracting out-of-province ranchers to relocate to the Melville area. Similarly, with the Best Kept Secret initiative, they plan to target both young families and retirees to move into the region.
REDA officials believe this project has the potential to grow the region’s population, to attract young families, workers and entrepreneurs, and to bring outside wealth to the region through retirees’ investments.
“In the last year alone, more than 75 families have moved into our region, many from the area of Ontario that we are targeting,” Economic Development Officer Micheal Halyk said. “They tell us that the decision to move has been positive for their entire family.”
The project received funding under the Department of Regional Economic and Co-operative Development’s REDA Enhancement Fund, which provides cost-shared funding for regional project development, business plan development and project management costs. REDAs are the Government of Saskatchewan’s primary partner for economic development in the province, and receive cost-shared funding, training and mentorship support from the Department.
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For more information, contact:
Scott Brown
Regional Economic and Co-operative Development
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4031
Email: sbrown@agr.gov.sk.ca