Rural Development

One of the best definitions of Community Economic Development is from the Community Futures Network of Alberta's website (www.cfnsa.ca). "Community Economic Development (CED) is a process by which members of the community come together out of a common interest, concern for, and desire to develop their community." This process takes an approach that builds long-term community capacity and spirit. CED fosters integration of economic, social, and environmental objectives.

CED is not restricted to generating and initiating solutions to common economic problems that may exist. CED includes proactively identifying and creating opportunities for broader community betterment and resiliency.

It is not up to practitioners to rigidly define CED. Instead, it is up to the communities to find new ways to use CED principles and processes to create employment and generate community growth and well-being".

The Centre For Business Development has provided CED supports over our 18 year history, and created and or supported many projects that impact our communities. Our mission statement reads: To provide leadership and support for an economic and socially strong central Alberta . This focus will continue to allow us to provide capacity to strengthen our communities. In the efforts of strategically addressing community's needs and issues, we are focused to maintain and develop partnerships, and support community initiatives.

Through the Provincial Community Futures Network of Alberta we are excited to utilize the Rural Community Economic Development Project funding (RCED). RCED is an additional tool to assist in providing CED. The RCED funding is a 3-year (to 2008), $2.1 million pilot project. It is part of the Western Economic Partnership Agreement called the Rural Community Economic Development Initiative that includes three components: the Rural CED Project Funds, CED Specialists, and funding for the Regional Economic Development Alliances. The vision for the Rural Economic Development Initiative is to provide enhanced CED support and leadership to rural communities and to foster increased collaboration between Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) and Regional Economic Development Alliances.

The goals of the funding are to support projects that provide enhanced CED support and leadership to rural communities and to foster collaboration and partnership. Goals of the project must include building community capacity; to create long-term economic impact, engage the community, and build partnerships. Additional criteria and project guidelines can be found at www.cfnsa.ca . For more information and partnership/project opportunities please contact CBD General Manager, Kathy Lineham at 342-2055.

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The Centre For Business Development Is Part Of A Video Conferencing Connection Throughout Alberta

Entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout West Central Alberta are enjoying improved access to learning and information-sharing opportunities thanks to the Entrepreneurship Learning Centre (ELC).

The ELC is a video conferencing network that links Alberta business service network sites such as Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDC's), Alberta Women Entrepreneurs and la Chambre Economique de l'Alberta. The technical hub is situated in Edmonton at Alberta 's primary Canada Business Service Centre (CBSC), The Business Link .

The Entrepreneurship Learning Centre allows Alberta CFDC's like the Centre For Business Development to serve their rural communities with increased effectiveness. The system saves time and cuts down on traveling, thereby enabling the Centre to participate in province-wide meetings with our partners. The network will make it possible for entrepreneurs to attend meetings and seminars without leaving their home communities.

The ELC Network is a learning resource currently comprised of 23 regional points in Alberta that provide business information and interactive training opportunities to small businesses through the use of IP-based video conferencing. The Network is also used to deliver training and staff development.

Learning opportunities are scheduled year round and if you would like to know more, please contact us by emailing:reception@rdcbd.com. We would love to hear from you.