Peace Region Economic Development Alliance link
			The Mouse That Roared
			As you stretch out an Alberta road map across your desk, your eyes are immediately drawn to the myriad of roadways that intersect the bottom half of the map. It's not difficult to see where the majority of Alberta's population live. As your eyes move up the map, the towns and villages become scarcer and with them, the roads further apart and the distances between municipalities wider. But as the Friendly Giant would say day after day, " look up, look wayyyy up and ... " there you'll find the newest regional alliance -- REDI the Regional Economic Initiative for Northwest Alberta. Made up of the towns of High Level, Rainbow Lake and the M.D. of Mackenzie #23, the Paddle Prairie Metis settlement and four chambers of commerce, REDI is the smallest alliance in terms of membership and population. In terms of energy and determination to get things done, well REDI is right up there with the big boys. And it's no secret what industries are driving Alberta's economy; forestry, oil and gas and agriculture and in the REDI region there is plenty of all three. Add to that mix a young and willing workforce and community board members with a passion for economic development and you have the right ingredients for success. So much so that Minister of Alberta Economic Development, Mark Norris approved alliance status and signed an MOU with REDI on September 18, 2003. What helped to overcome those barriers was the fact the region is growing. In 2001 the Town of High Level with a population of 4000 saw more than $40 million dollars in business permits issued. And both Rainbow Lake and the M.D. are witnessing similar growth. Fort Vermillion possesses many tourism opportunities and La Crete is enjoying growth both in the economy and population wise. An aggressive year of grant applications has resulted in funds to pursue a variety of projects. The Alberta Municipal Affairs exploration grant and PEMD-I funding will allow REDI to pursue everything form Intensive Livestock Operations to regional airport structure to Emigrate 2004. With Five core businesses highlighted in REDI's business plan for 2003 -2004, REDI board members will have their hands full. And just as the sun never sets in northern Alberta in the summertime, the work never seems to stop. Potential economic benefit from the construction of the proposed Mackenzie Pipeline and the development of Highway 58 from Rainbow Lake to Fort Nelson are two additional opportunities already waiting to be explored. So fold up your map and tuck it away, for with REDI up and running it won't be long before you'll need to purchase a new one, one where your eyes start at the top of the map. For more information on REDI please contact Mike Osborn at 780-926-7304.