MSMA looking to grow region while working together
Daniel Bushman (TWM News) https://www.twmnews.com/twms-weekly-top-story.htmlJoining forces and looking to move the region forward is part of the strategy for the Mid-Sask Municipal Alliance (MSMA). With a dedicated group consisting of the rural municipalities of LeRoy #339, Morris #312, Prairie Rose #309, along with the communities of Lanigan, LeRoy, Nokomis, Watrous, Watson, Manitou Beach, Drake Jansen and Humboldt, the MSMA recently held its annual general meeting to share how 2018 went and also what the future holds.
Daniel Bushman (TWM News) https://www.twmnews.com/twms-weekly-top-story.htmlJoining forces and looking to move the region forward is part of the strategy for the Mid-Sask Municipal Alliance (MSMA). With a dedicated group consisting of the rural municipalities of LeRoy #339, Morris #312, Prairie Rose #309, along with the communities of Lanigan, LeRoy, Nokomis, Watrous, Watson, Manitou Beach, Drake Jansen and Humboldt, the MSMA recently held its annual general meeting to share how 2018 went and also what the future holds.
Working collectively on a number of issues including housing, health care, education, infrastructure and major developments, Director of Operations and Planning for the MSMA Celine Favreau said the group gains strength from one another for the long-term betterment of the region. Having originally completed a community action plan in 2010 that identified key goals and strategies, the municipalities had also formally signed a memorandum of understanding and funding agreement at that time. This year the group is completing a review and update to its governing documents and defining a new regional strategic plan.
At its Apr. 4 annual general meeting in Lanigan, the group went over a number of items including its financials. In its 2018 report, as of Dec. 31, 2018, the MSMA had a total income of $86,354.89 with the majority of that coming from membership fees and per assessment allocation. Associate member fees and operating revenue comprised the remaining revenue. On the expense side, wages and salaries made up the majority of the total figure while general and administrative expenses combined for an additional $10,012.04 for a total expense of $92,463.05 and an overall deficit of $6,108.16.
In the chairman’s report, current MSMA chairman and Watrous councillor Gary Bergen touched on the progress made by MSMA in 2018.
“Over the past year we have reached out to neighbouring municipalities and are sincere in our interest to open up the network to be more inclusive and build on our capacity to attract new investment and residents into the region. Our staff person took the initiative to obtain the Asset Management Planning Certification this past fall which will strongly support the efforts of the municipal members to update existing asset management plans and make progress on a regional asset management strategy.”
Also in his report, Bergen added, “Moving through 2019 our economic development efforts will continue to connect with businesses across the region as we host industry meetings, and work toward attracting new investment by generating leads of potential investors to the region. Our primary goal continues to be the well-being of each and every member of the alliance and as the region evolves we appreciate that as members we continue to be engaged in this uniquely progressive group.”
As dialogue has been taking place with neighbouring municipalities, Favreau, who is marking the end of her fourth year with MSMA and the first year of a second three-year term is excited about what the future holds. Since inception Favreau said the MSMA has tried to make it attractive to live and do business in the region and as such is implementing a new communication strategy including improvements to the MSMA’s brand. Work also continues towards the completion of individual asset management plan (AMP) updates and a regional AMP strategy. “This work continues to be pending approval of an application submitted to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in 2018.”
An economic development strategy was also defined in the annual report with a focus on investment attraction to the area and Favreau noted MSMA will continue to work with existing businesses to identify potential gaps in services and outsourced supply chains that could potentially be attracted to the region. The director of operations and planning said part of this strategy includes accessing funding though the federal program Invest Canada.
Highlighting the point made by Bergen of connecting with neighbouring municipalities over the past year, Favreau said in January 2018 MSMA sent letters of interest out to 20 councils requesting an opportunity to attend meetings. “Over the next half year I attended 16 council meetings and spoke to councils about the progress of the MSMA and passing on an invitation to join the network as an associate member. This outreach has resulted in one new associate member the RM of St. Peter #369 joining the group and the RM of Humboldt currently in consideration of the membership options. And we will continue to communicate with our neighbours going forward.”
With a mission to work together to sustain, build and grow the communities and RMs within the MSMA region, Favreau said moving ahead the group will honour that mission with efforts that include: defining a regional land-use planning strategy including a review of infrastructure needs for growth; identifying a model for an engaging buy local strategy across the region; contacting potential partners with an interest in improving high-speed Internet services to every household; implementing a region-wide business retention and expansion initiative to support existing business owners in every community; and expanding communications strategies locally, national and international audiences.
Favreau also categorized four sections of focus which include Governance, Planning, Economic Development, and Marketing. Under each, Favreau outlined immediate strategies that MSMA is taking and ones that are currently on the drawing board.
Governance
Immediate actions include: partners in business – businesses within the region recognized as stakeholders and contributors to projects; associated memberships – providing any neighbouring municipality with the opportunity to connect to the network at an introductory rate; planning district member – available to a neighbouring municipality that commits to aligning its OCP with the District Plan and is approved by the existing MSMA members; and reciprocal membership category – provides the MSMA with the opportunity to exchange memberships with other not for profit organizations.
On the drawing board ideas include: regional buy local app – to support shop local initiatives and tourism, branded mobile apps reward users for visiting places within the region; regional business network – advanced sector specific teams; and regional business permits – allows trades and other regional businesses to work across municipality boundaries.
Planning
Immediate actions include: member Official Community Plan (OCP) updates; municipal asset management plan updates; and municipal GIS mapping.
On the drawing board ideas include: region-wide upgraded hi-speed Internet model; regional asset management strategy; land-use planning mapping; and regional OCP implementation process.
Economic Development
Immediate actions include: investment attraction strategy and entrepreneurial support services.
On the drawing board ideas include: regional business retention and expansion strategy; sector specific teams (ag, manufacturing, tourism, commercial hub); regional employment opportunity network; regional economic development department; and regional development corporation.
Marketing
Immediate actions include: MSMA member council meetings; MSMA region – monthly newsletter; new brand and website – the MSMA region; MSMA neighbouring council meetings; and administrator and foreman meetings.
On the drawing board ideas include: municipal website home page link to MSMA region site; new brochure and promo pieces – the MSMA region; MSMA communications strategy update; and business partner website home page link to MSMA region site.
“An important part of achieving our mission is measuring the results of our efforts. This year will mark the 10th year of the Mid-Sask regional partnerships, six of those years as an incorporated entity,” said Favreau. “This region is now growing into its competitive advantage – The MSMA Region – Rural Charm – Urban Promise. Let’s continue to build a region that is all inclusive and continues to attract new residents to each and every community.”
Along with Favreau as director of operations and planning and Bergen as the chairman, the board of directors includes vice-chairman Peter Nicholson representing Drake and treasurer Kathy Jones representing Jansen.
The directors include Velda Daelick representing Lanigan, Ken Crowter representing LeRoy, Dennis Krieser representing Nokomis, Rob Muench representing Humboldt, Tom Bergen representing the RM of Prairie Rose, Mandy Green representing Watson, Keith Thoner representing the RM of Morris, and Laurie Bzdel representing Manitou Beach.
Corporate sponsors supporting the MSMA’s investment attraction initiative currently in progress across the region include BHP, Affinity Credit Union, Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa, and Watrous Mainline Motors with the LeRoy Credit Union joining as a new sponsor since the annual general meeting was held.
The annual general meeting was well attended with guest speakers including: John Guenther from the Community Planning Branch of the Sask Ministry of Government Relations, Gavin Conacher, Lorrie McGowan and Chandra Mark from the Department of International Engagement with the Sask Ministry of Trade & Export; and Warren Lorenz of Nuvu Technologies.
At its Apr. 4 annual general meeting in Lanigan, the group went over a number of items including its financials. In its 2018 report, as of Dec. 31, 2018, the MSMA had a total income of $86,354.89 with the majority of that coming from membership fees and per assessment allocation. Associate member fees and operating revenue comprised the remaining revenue. On the expense side, wages and salaries made up the majority of the total figure while general and administrative expenses combined for an additional $10,012.04 for a total expense of $92,463.05 and an overall deficit of $6,108.16.
In the chairman’s report, current MSMA chairman and Watrous councillor Gary Bergen touched on the progress made by MSMA in 2018.
“Over the past year we have reached out to neighbouring municipalities and are sincere in our interest to open up the network to be more inclusive and build on our capacity to attract new investment and residents into the region. Our staff person took the initiative to obtain the Asset Management Planning Certification this past fall which will strongly support the efforts of the municipal members to update existing asset management plans and make progress on a regional asset management strategy.”
Also in his report, Bergen added, “Moving through 2019 our economic development efforts will continue to connect with businesses across the region as we host industry meetings, and work toward attracting new investment by generating leads of potential investors to the region. Our primary goal continues to be the well-being of each and every member of the alliance and as the region evolves we appreciate that as members we continue to be engaged in this uniquely progressive group.”
As dialogue has been taking place with neighbouring municipalities, Favreau, who is marking the end of her fourth year with MSMA and the first year of a second three-year term is excited about what the future holds. Since inception Favreau said the MSMA has tried to make it attractive to live and do business in the region and as such is implementing a new communication strategy including improvements to the MSMA’s brand. Work also continues towards the completion of individual asset management plan (AMP) updates and a regional AMP strategy. “This work continues to be pending approval of an application submitted to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in 2018.”
An economic development strategy was also defined in the annual report with a focus on investment attraction to the area and Favreau noted MSMA will continue to work with existing businesses to identify potential gaps in services and outsourced supply chains that could potentially be attracted to the region. The director of operations and planning said part of this strategy includes accessing funding though the federal program Invest Canada.
Highlighting the point made by Bergen of connecting with neighbouring municipalities over the past year, Favreau said in January 2018 MSMA sent letters of interest out to 20 councils requesting an opportunity to attend meetings. “Over the next half year I attended 16 council meetings and spoke to councils about the progress of the MSMA and passing on an invitation to join the network as an associate member. This outreach has resulted in one new associate member the RM of St. Peter #369 joining the group and the RM of Humboldt currently in consideration of the membership options. And we will continue to communicate with our neighbours going forward.”
With a mission to work together to sustain, build and grow the communities and RMs within the MSMA region, Favreau said moving ahead the group will honour that mission with efforts that include: defining a regional land-use planning strategy including a review of infrastructure needs for growth; identifying a model for an engaging buy local strategy across the region; contacting potential partners with an interest in improving high-speed Internet services to every household; implementing a region-wide business retention and expansion initiative to support existing business owners in every community; and expanding communications strategies locally, national and international audiences.
Favreau also categorized four sections of focus which include Governance, Planning, Economic Development, and Marketing. Under each, Favreau outlined immediate strategies that MSMA is taking and ones that are currently on the drawing board.
Governance
Immediate actions include: partners in business – businesses within the region recognized as stakeholders and contributors to projects; associated memberships – providing any neighbouring municipality with the opportunity to connect to the network at an introductory rate; planning district member – available to a neighbouring municipality that commits to aligning its OCP with the District Plan and is approved by the existing MSMA members; and reciprocal membership category – provides the MSMA with the opportunity to exchange memberships with other not for profit organizations.
On the drawing board ideas include: regional buy local app – to support shop local initiatives and tourism, branded mobile apps reward users for visiting places within the region; regional business network – advanced sector specific teams; and regional business permits – allows trades and other regional businesses to work across municipality boundaries.
Planning
Immediate actions include: member Official Community Plan (OCP) updates; municipal asset management plan updates; and municipal GIS mapping.
On the drawing board ideas include: region-wide upgraded hi-speed Internet model; regional asset management strategy; land-use planning mapping; and regional OCP implementation process.
Economic Development
Immediate actions include: investment attraction strategy and entrepreneurial support services.
On the drawing board ideas include: regional business retention and expansion strategy; sector specific teams (ag, manufacturing, tourism, commercial hub); regional employment opportunity network; regional economic development department; and regional development corporation.
Marketing
Immediate actions include: MSMA member council meetings; MSMA region – monthly newsletter; new brand and website – the MSMA region; MSMA neighbouring council meetings; and administrator and foreman meetings.
On the drawing board ideas include: municipal website home page link to MSMA region site; new brochure and promo pieces – the MSMA region; MSMA communications strategy update; and business partner website home page link to MSMA region site.
“An important part of achieving our mission is measuring the results of our efforts. This year will mark the 10th year of the Mid-Sask regional partnerships, six of those years as an incorporated entity,” said Favreau. “This region is now growing into its competitive advantage – The MSMA Region – Rural Charm – Urban Promise. Let’s continue to build a region that is all inclusive and continues to attract new residents to each and every community.”
Along with Favreau as director of operations and planning and Bergen as the chairman, the board of directors includes vice-chairman Peter Nicholson representing Drake and treasurer Kathy Jones representing Jansen.
The directors include Velda Daelick representing Lanigan, Ken Crowter representing LeRoy, Dennis Krieser representing Nokomis, Rob Muench representing Humboldt, Tom Bergen representing the RM of Prairie Rose, Mandy Green representing Watson, Keith Thoner representing the RM of Morris, and Laurie Bzdel representing Manitou Beach.
Corporate sponsors supporting the MSMA’s investment attraction initiative currently in progress across the region include BHP, Affinity Credit Union, Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa, and Watrous Mainline Motors with the LeRoy Credit Union joining as a new sponsor since the annual general meeting was held.
The annual general meeting was well attended with guest speakers including: John Guenther from the Community Planning Branch of the Sask Ministry of Government Relations, Gavin Conacher, Lorrie McGowan and Chandra Mark from the Department of International Engagement with the Sask Ministry of Trade & Export; and Warren Lorenz of Nuvu Technologies.
