With economic development to take on a district scope, the Rainy River Future Development Corp. is looking to forge a new vision–and it’s turning to the public for help.
A brainstorming session is planned Wednesday, Feb. 11 from noon to 9 p.m. at the Barwick Recreation Centre for about 75 people interested in giving input on where they’d like to see the RRFDC focus its time, energy, and dollars.
The agency is getting $450,000 this year for community economic development ($350,000 of which is coming from Ottawa) but now it must change the way it’s doing business.
“Basically what we’re looking for is input,” noted RRFDC chairman Dick Lyons, stressing they were eager to know where the public wanted the district to go.
“What we want to do is ask the community where it wants to go . . . in the next three years,” agreed community investment manager Geoff Gillon, with their proposal to the federal government including a five-year plan.
“Our goal is to come up with a strategic direction from the residents,” he added.
The workshop, to be facilitated by Bob Jeffrey, will start by looking at the district’s history, especially how it came to be where it’s at today.
“Bob Jeffrey is the master of getting people to put their ideas down on paper,” Gillon said.
All district mayors, reeves, and band chiefs have been invited to next Wednesday’s session but the RRFDC also is hoping those seriously interested in the future of Rainy River District will sign up.
One area the RRFDC wants to look at is diversifying the tourism industry, which Gillon said has been highly dependent on the fishery. Stemming from the Northern Networks trade conference, for example, some communities are working with their U.S. counterparts to bring a German tour here next year.
This is just one method the RRFDC is using to get input. It also will rely on its own board as well as the “Tomorrow” strategic planning committee, which also expanded its scope throughout the district.
Once the information is compiled, Jeffrey will present it to the RRFDC board, which will use it to come up with a strategic plan.
“I think every corporation should be doing some strategic planning on an annual basis,” Lyons said, admitting it’s been about three years since the RRFDC did its last strategic planning session.
Anyone interested in attending next week’s session can call the RRFDC at 274-3276 or 1-800-465-8502.
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