Workshop Pre-Conference Session Leann Hackman-Carty Mickie Valente - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Economic Disaster Recovery Workshop Pre-Conference Session Leann Hackman-Carty Mickie Valente Dale Wheeldon

Background June 2013- worst flood in history of Southern Alberta. Record water levels, inundate many Southern Alberta towns, forcing thousands to evacuate. 4 dead as a direct result of the flooding. Over 100,000 displaced throughout the region.

June 2013 When disaster strikes, services of first 33 Alberta communities, 40 municipalities responders are essential. including First Nations identified infrastructure declared local states of Police, fire and military damage. emergency. personnel bring order and critical resources.

Response We all know who’s in charge of RESPONSE Photo from Calgary Herald

What Happens Next?  When first responders leave--- and communities begin to get back to “normal”:  How do their leaders create and implement effective economic recovery efforts?  How can they show they are open for business?  How can they advance trade and investment opportunities globally?  How do they start the recovery process?

Recovery  Who is in charge of RECOVERY?

Our Response  Last year, as a response to the flood, EDA spearheaded an “Economic Disaster Recovery Project” (EDRP ).  Partnered with our BC counterpart BCEDA.  Based on successful economic recovery models in the United States.  Goal to provide additional training, resources and information to communities to help shorten their economic recovery time; and build local capacity should the need for this type of response be required again.

EDRP Partners

EDRP Communities

Community Visits- Core Team  Core Team:  Leann Hackman-Carty, EDA (Calgary, AB)  Dale Wheeldon, BCEDA (Chilliwack, BC))  Mickie Valente, IEDC (St. Petersburg, FL)  Colleen Bond, EDCD Consulting (Kelowna, BC)

Community Visits- Volunteers  Call for volunteers  Mike Aiken (High Prairie, AB)  Emily Columbo (Fort St James, BC)  Jodie Eckert (Cochrane, AB)  Natalie Gibson (Airdrie, AB)  Deana Haley (Calgary, AB)  Michael Hill (Victoria, BC)  Kathy Lachman (Cowichan, BC)  Heather Lalonde (Cornwall, ON)

Community Visits- Volunteers  Michael Lam (Edmonton, AB)  Eleanor Miclette (Manning AB)  Jennifer Moore (Fort St. John, BC)  David Pattison (Edmonton, AB)  Richard Pauls (Airdrie, AB)  Kevin Poole (Vernon, BC)  Ryan Rycroft (Lake Country, BC)  Kent Rupert (Airdrie, AB)  Cindy Shelford (Burns Lake, BC)

Community Visits  Site visits included:  Meet & Greet  Business Walks Survey or one-on-one business interviews  Focus Groups (e.g. economic development related organizations, industry/sector groups, etc.)

Community Visits  Summary Report- All final reports delivered January- February 2014  Signed off and sharing with stakeholders

Recommendations 1. Economic Development Capacity 2. Communication 3. Economic Development Data 4. Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) 5. Business Investment & Attraction 6. Business Assistance & Training 7. Economic Development Planning & Resiliency

What’s Next?  Communities are:  Booking Elected Official Training  Signing up for AlbertaBusinessCounts  Summary Report  High level recommendations for government, corporations, non-profit groups etc.

What’s Next?  Toolkit  Will identify key resources, best practices etc. for economic disaster recovery in the future  Available on our websites (EDA, BCEDA, IEDC)  We hope to launch it later this year