Altona Mayor Harv Schroeder and Municipality of Rhineland Reeve Don Wiebe applauded the region’s business growth at last week’s Altona & District Chamber of Commerce AGM.
“Growing up around Altona, it’s amazing to see how our community has grown and progressed over the years,” said Schroeder. “As mayor, I’ve been able to view our town from different perspectives, and I’ve been constantly impressed with all the hard work from our business leaders, the chamber and SEED. Welcoming new businesses and supporting our existing business community is what allows us to continue growing.”
On behalf of council, he expressed his respect and gratitude for the determination and dedication of everyone who contributed to this growth.
“We look forward to working together in continuing to move business forward in Altona. Sometimes people ask me on the street, what does council do? This year we put together a strategic plan for the year, with headings of economic development, the new industrial park, environmental stewardship, infrastructure, organizational strength, and recreation and culture. Three members of council make up a sub-committee taking many actions and specific directions under each heading.”
Schoeder offered an extensive list of all the various agencies and organizations the town partners with for the betterment of the community, ranging from the chamber itself to other like organizations such as Community Futures Triple R and Supporting Entrepreneurs through Economic Development (SEED), as well as things like the Pembina Valley Local Immigration Partnership, Gallery in the Park, the Altona and District Health Care Centre, and many others.
“Those are all the different committees and boards that we all sit on, and that’s not including our two meetings a month for council,” Schroeder noted. “So, yes, we are busy.”
Reeve Don Wiebe likewise thanked SEED and the chamber for all the work they do.
“We do have a lot of economic activity in Rhineland, as well. The West Ag Park located on Hwy. 14 near Winkler is going to the second phase and already there are prospects of industry moving into that area.
“With the North Ag Park on Hwy. 30, again we are dealing with lots of prospects, and hopefully, some of them will take place. We are encouraged by that. Of course, all of that comes with infrastructure planning, so that’s been occupying us as well.”
Wiebe added that there are budget pressures and it’s hard to keep on top of that.
“We’re dealing with inflationary costs, and our reserve funds get taxed pretty hard, but I think we’ll find our way through all that. Again, we’ll work with regional governments. Our first partner is Altona, and we do share our services and do a lot of things together.”
Wiebe finished his presentation by sharing a major concern from the Pembina Valley Water Co-op, not only for residents, but also for businesses in the region.
“We don’t have enough water to meet peak demands. We’re right on the edge. So we’ve been talking to all the municipalities, and seeing how much they will need going forward and how we can fund that.”
The PVWC is currently looking at a 10-year plan to keep the region viable, which includes 14 municipalities and 65,000 people.
“We need to raise $80 million over the next 10 years,” he said. “We’re trying to create a plan along with government to make this work. They may have some options for us. Going forward we may well need municipal contribution and a long-term plan to finance those projects.”
The situation is urgent, Wiebe stressed, but there is some good news in terms of capital projects underway nearing completion.
“The new reservoir that is being built at Letellier will go into service in early April and that will create a six million litre reservoir at the Letellier site, so that will help,” he said. “But we are out of water, and we need to find a plan. It is real and I hope we can find a solution.”
