Recognition for their work within the community

Shannon LeClair

Times Reporter

 

Community Futures Wild Rose was recently awarded the Economic Diversifier Award. The award recognizes Community Futures organizations for their efforts in economic development and innovative business ideas. 

“It’s a provincial award that’s awarded by our Community Futures Network of Alberta to Community Futures organizations that demonstrate excellence in project activities as well as lending activities that show rural diversification,” said Jennifer Brooks, with Community Futures Wild Rose.

“They hand out awards quarterly and we received one for the winter, and of course again focusing on our involvement with the Business Vitality Initiative, BVI, as well as our innovative lending that we did that quarter. We’re a small office, but we do big things to impact our community.”

Community Futures Wild Rose has helped Strathmore and Acme, two communities in its region, facilitate a BVI. As part of a project funded through the provincial Rural Community Adaptation Program, Alberta Urban Municipalities Association and the Centre for Innovative and Entrepreneurial Leadership, Strathmore and Acme were two of only six communities selected for the initiative.  

Community Futures Wild Rose coordinated the project within its region and assisted the communities in writing applications and reports, and facilitating community input.  The BVI included a community consultation process, prioritization of initiatives in each community and $10,000 in seed funding to actually implement the activities.  Acme undertook a downtown beautification enhancement project and Strathmore launched a Buy Local campaign and local signage initiative.

Community Futures Wild Rose has also helped support small businesses through its lending program.