REDA co-ordinating strategy to increase population, work force

A wide range of local interests will be approached in the next few weeks to develop a strategy for the Moose Jaw and district economy,
Strategy planning co-ordinated by the Moose Jaw Regional Economic Development Authority has one objective in mind - to grow the community, said REDA director Diana Ireland.
Planning involves high schools, SIAST Palliser Campus students, human resource managers, labour market officials and a range of organizations through the Moose Jaw Pride and Promise Initiative, she said.
"We're taking a different approach to Pride and Promise with this process," she said.
Outcome of the exercise will be two-fold - a process involving students and groups from the community and a document that will be "a valuable road map" on where the region should be headed.
She expects the results will focus on retaining and increasing the work force and population by identifying gaps that exist and how to deal with them.
Information gathered can also be used in establishing a brand for Moose Jaw as "a great place to live, work and invest."
There is no one better to ask about issues on community needs than students, employers and labour market officials, said Ireland.
Saskatoon facilitator Dwight Percy has been hired to conduct focus groups, surveys and planning sessions. Percy has long worked with Moose Jaw, including the Pride and Promise group.
Reports will be issued as each phase of the project is completed.
The final document with recommendations on achieving a growth plan will be presented at a Moose Jaw Chamber of Commerce meeting on March 6.
Meanwhile, the community has experienced numerous achievements in the last year, said Ireland.
"We have so much interest in Moose Jaw from across North America, from Texas, from Russia."
Among the 2007 highlights are:
- Competitive advantage - Moose Jaw ranked sixth overall in a 2006 global KPMG survey for cost competitiveness out of 128 cities in nine countries.
- Financial Post surveys indicate attractive average annual wages of $45,487.
- Average house prices of $129,043, although increasing 28 per cent over 2006, are still among the most affordable on the Prairies.
- Development - Building permits in 2007 hit an all-time high of $40.8 million, with a record 190 residential lots sold by the city.
- A $140-million ethanol plant, Terra Grain Fuels, at Belle Plaine will employ 40 people full-time.
- Mosaic will increase Bell Plaine potash mine capacity by 120,000 tonnes by 2010 with 360,000 tonnes more by 2012.
- Saskferco plans an $84 million expansion to produce urea and ammonia fertilizer at Belle Plaine.
- Moose Jaw Refinery plans an expansion in 2008 with new products.
- Simpson Seeds did a $1-million expansion of the pulse splitting line at the Moose Jaw processing plant.
- Best Building, a company manufacturing building packages, doors, garage packages, and frame buildings, opened and created 30 jobs.
- The old Castle Wineries building has been acquired by new investors with plans for refrigeration warehousing and a processing plant.
- Moose Jaw Pork Packers has been leased to a new operator with plans to open soon.

Ron Walter can be reached at 691-1264.