Spring 2022 Economic Development Newsletter

TOWN OF DIDSBURY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Spring 2022 Newsletter First edition of the bi-annual Economic Development Newsletter!

INTRODUCTION

Hi, my name is Alexa Ross and I am the Economic Development Officer & Strategic Operations Coordinator, in short the EDO since July 2021. I am also the Business License Officer for the Town of Didsbury, but that is not included in my official title. My job includes, but is certainly not limited to take care of new and existing businesses and put Didsbury on the map. If you want to learn more about me and Didsbury Economic Development, I encourage you to attend our event on June 9 – see details on the bottom of the newsletter!

BUSINESS CONNECT

It has been a busy year so far and we are only five months into the year. Besides the business license renewal and adding many new businesses, we are working to assist current and new businesses with their ventures. It was a great pleasure meeting and speaking with many of you, and I am looking forward to connecting with you again throughout the year. Please note that in order to receive your business license, you have to fill out a form this year and pay in order to receive a license!

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING DIDSBURY AS YOUR PLACE TO DO BUSINESS!

We established a new welcoming program for new businesses and since October have been promoting our new businesses via our social media platforms. In addition, the first 100 businesses that filled out the business license form for 2022 were featured in an ad in the local newspaper. This incentive was available on a first come first serve basis. If you missed out on this incentive, more opportunities for business promotion will be available in the future. Note that Didsbury Economic Development continually promotes the Town of Didsbury using various media platforms.

IN OTHER NEWS

Check out the Economic Development section of the Town of Didsbury website www.didsbury.ca The website has been completely revamped with content, new tools and resources. The website is a work in progress and will be updated as new opportunities and information becomes available.

• New tools, such as “Spacelist” for commercial spaces for lease or sale is now available for landlords, developers and realtors on our website for FREE. • Also, post your event and all details on our website for FREE. • Find resources and program information on our website or contact the EDO. • The Business Directory is back online and while the names have been updated and listed, there is still a lot of work to be done to get all information updated! We thank our businesses for their patience.

• If you need assistance with your current business, or would like to start a new business, please feel free to connect with our Economic Development Officer at ecdev@didsbury.ca or call/text Alexa at 403-818-1892.

BUSINESS TOOLS

Please check out our Economic Development section of the Town of Didsbury’s website for tools and support, which are updated from time to time.

Make sure to visit our site often. Having said this we are only a phone call, text or e-mail away.

As we are working closely with our Chamber of Commerce we would like to point out a couple of excellent tools that the Chamber implemented (the DSS is available not just for members): • DSS (All businesses in the region) • The program supports small businesses that wish to integrate or upgrade their online operations and presence. Working with Olds College students, the DSS members will come with the latest information and programming available to help you get your business online.

• Chamber Market (Chamber members) Take your business, products and services online. The Chamber market is an excellent tool to promote your business and increase your revenue. The overall goal of the Chamber Market is to make it easy for local businesses to sell their products/services online and make it easy for consumers to find local vendors to shop with. Your site will be seen across the country, not just locally. Anyone can order from anywhere.

For more information on the Chamber programs visit the Chamber of Commerce website at www.didsburychamber.ca

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TOWN OF DIDSBURY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Spring 2022 Newsletter PROJECT 52 PEOPLE & PLACES

In addition our Communication Team is putting businesses (and residents) on the map with our Project 52 - People & Places. It can be viewed every week on our social media platforms and on our website. It generated a lot of interest, especially on our Town of Didsbury Economic Development LinkedIn page. We more than doubled our followers since November of 2021. Please check it out, follow us and share the posts. That is one excellent way to get the word out about Didsbury!

DEDAC – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Economic Development Committee has been exceptionally busy with project exploration and moving forward on some exciting projects, including but not limited to: • • • • •

EV Station grant application Development of an Economic Development Strategy Working on a Film Legacy project Explore Highway signage for promotional purpose Adding 4 new DEDAC members to the Committee

Council and DEDAC attended a workshop for Economic Development Strategic Planning and Visioning. Both workshops were facilitated by the EDO, Alexa Ross. Stay tuned for some amazing and innovative ideas that certainly will put Didsbury on the map.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

Project highlights – putting Didsbury on the map: • The Town of Didsbury registered for the new Rural Alberta Entrepreneur Stream Program established by Province of Alberta. The Rural Entrepreneur Stream is an economic immigration program. Entrepreneurs who want to start a business or buy an existing business in a rural Alberta community can submit an Expression of Interest.

• We were approved for federal Foreign Direct Investment contribution funding for our regional project in collaboration with Sundre Economic Development and Mountain View Economic Development to attract IT and Tech talent that caters to our filming industry and enables us to establish a website for resources and ultimately will build the foundation for a potential regional filming commission.

• We are working closely with CAEP to not only put Didsbury on the map through their tools and website, but also to attract businesses in addition to advocacy at the provincial level.

• We have developed an Investment and Opportunity brochure that can be viewed in e-book format on our website in the Economic Development section.

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

New developments are on the rise and include new commercial space, as well as new residential units in the downtown area. Shantz Village is also in the spotlight with increased interest by businesses, investors and developers.

SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST….

DEDAC in collaboration with the Chamber is proud to present:

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