On Our Way to Endless Opportunity On Our Way to Endless Opportunity | Page 12

Methodology
The Consultant Team was asked to deliver a comprehensive economic development
roadmap including opportunities and challenges identified during stakeholder
engagement, clearly defined goals, actions and measurements for the coming three
years or more.
The Partnership understood the value of input from local businesses and community leaders. The
Economic Development Roadmap is based on broad community input, including on-line surveys,
one-on-one meetings with business leaders, presentations and input from business associations
and community organizations and planning sessions with elected officials in the Partnership
communities. This input was then verified through an open house where participants confirmed (or
amended) the research obtained through the public consultation process.
As well, the consultant team undertook a thorough review of municipal documents such as
Municipal Development Plans, Land Use Bylaws, Business Licensing, Development Permit
Applications etc. with a view to their business “friendliness.”
Phone interviews were conducted with real estate firms who displayed industrial properties for sale
within the region to understand the opportunities and challenges with developing these properties.
The Consultant Team met with regional economic development agencies (GROWTH Alberta/WILD
Alberta and Community Futures Yellowhead East) as well as neighbouring economic development
professionals in Woodlands County to understand the services that are available to businesses
within the Partnership region.
To further understand the opportunities and challenges in the region, the consultant team met with
individual businesses on a one-on-one confidential interview. Twelve individual businesses were
visited during this process. As well, public presentations and surveys were made at various events
throughout the region, including the Darwell Fair, Chamber of Commerce, Make the Connection
Night and others.
Members of the Partnership were encouraged to attend professional economic development
conferences to gain a better understanding of the practice and principles of economic development,
and to gain valuable networking opportunities. The Partnership was represented at the EDA Alberta
Annual Conference and at the Economic Developers Association of Canada Annual Conference.
The Consultants also held workshops with Lac Ste. Anne County and Town of Onoway Councils
and staff. As well, the Consultants did a follow-up interview with some members of the Economic
Development Advisory Committee to determine its future role in regional economic development.
Following the research component, the Consultants held Open Houses in the Town of Onoway and
within the County to confirm the findings and clarify any additional information.
With over 40 years of combined professional economic development experience at the municipal
and regional level, the consultant team applied their extensive on the ground knowledge and
expertise to develop strategies that could be easily implemented.
12 | On Our Way to Endless Opportunity: An Economic Roadmap