Local businesspeople meet with ministers
Airdrie businesspeople had a chance to speak with some Alberta government ministers, Jan. 25.
Members of the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce met with Ministers Ted Morton, Jack Hayden and Deputy Premier Doug Horner at the Woodside Golf Course.
Twenty-four hour health care, attracting new businesses to Airdrie, eliminating red tape and improved transit access were some of the issues raised.
“I wanted to hear what the ministers had to say and get a little insight into the new leader,” said Al Jones, owner of Here’s the Scoop/Advanced Distribution.
“It doesn’t hurt to put a bug in the ear about some of our needs.”
He said, up until last year, he felt the Province was ignoring Airdrie.
“We have some needs that are exponentially increasing each year,” said Jones.
“To have them paying attention and visiting lets us know that we are indeed on the government’s radar.”
Horner said attending events such as the Chamber meeting are a benefit for the Province.
“Every year, we do this cabinet tour and every year we learn something new,” he said.
“We find out various things from community leaders as we move through the province.”
Mike DeBokx, president of the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce, said he thought the meeting was very successful.
“This gave businesspeople in Airdrie and chance to sit down one-on-one with these ministers and that is not an opportunity you get very often,” he said.
“It is great for us to get direct feedback and good for the government to hear it directly from us.”
Brenda Moon, president of the Airdrie and District Agricultural Society, said she is thrilled Morton, minister of energy and MLA for Foothills-Rocky View, is in support of the new agricultural park, to be located just west of Airdrie.
“The park is in his riding and he is behind us from an economic impact and sustainability point of view,” said Moon.
“There will be fabulous economic impacts in Airdrie and Rocky View County.”
The agricultural park, located 1.5 miles west of Airdrie on Big Hill Springs Road, is planned to include a variety of agricultural-related events and multi-use buildings. It also includes a wetland and interpretive trails as well as a seasonal RV park for site users and the public, which will provide revenue to help offset the cost of operations. A small commercial development will provide additional revenue.
The park suffered a setback when Airdrie City council turned down the Society’s request to service the park with water, Oct. 3.
“As MLA, I am a strong supporter of (the park),” said Morton.
“I will work with the Ag Society to try and help with that. I will do what I can to encourage what I think are positive projects.”
He said the project comes at the perfect time.
“It is getting harder and harder for the Calgary Stampede to move livestock in and out of the downtown core,” he said.
“I think the timing for the Agricultural Society is right on target.”
For more information on the Agricultural Park, visit www.airdrieagsociety.com
In order to post comments on our web site, you must validate your email address. An email was sent to you when you registered that included an activation link. If you have not yet done so, please click on the link to activate your account.
If you did not receive your activation email, please click here to have it resent.
Already a member? Login here!
Not yet a member of the site? Register here!
Comments
Be the FIRST to comment!