Community Economic Development is being defined as a community development process which focuses on wealth creation, job creation, and enhanced community viability. It is this grassroots process by which residents and communities become responsible for, organize for, empower themselves, plan for and achieve sustainable social, economic and environmental development and a substantially self-directed future.
Regional Programs and Services Branch works towards identifying economic development partners and assisting them to leverage resources and pursue opportunities to enhance wealth and job creation in the province by. The Branch:
- Provides a range of organizational and professional services relating to economic development
- Provides financial support and leadership under the Regional Economic Development Authority (REDA) Initiative that supports REDAs through funding, training and mentorship. REDAs are voluntary, community-owned organizations that take a grassroots approach to growing their regional economies based on natural trading areas. Their broad-based memberships include local governments, businesses, co-operatives, Aboriginal groups, and others. The provincial government is a key partner of REDAs along with other economic stakeholders such as Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs), Rural Development Corporations, Regional Colleges, Area Transportation Committees, and Regional Tourism Authorities. Currently there are 28 REDAs operating in Saskatchewan.
- Provides organizational development assistance and funding to Neighbourhood Development Organizations (NDOs). There are currently four NDOs in Saskatchewan.
- Promotes, facilitates, supports and participates in partnerships between economic development organizations in the development of enterprise centres. Several of our regional offices have co-located with partners such as REDAs, CFDCs, chambers of commerce, etc. in enterprise centre settings. As well, the Canada-Saskatchewan Business Service Centre has 16 Regional Access and six Aboriginal Business Service Network Partners sites, several of which are located in enterprise centres.
- Works with partner organizations to develops and deliver resource materials for training programs and seminars.
More information on community economic development and REDAs:
For more information contact:
Marilyn Day
Director, Investment Programs
Regional Programs and Services Branch
Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation
200 - 3085 Albert Street
REGINA SK S4S 0B1
Phone: (306) 787-8710
Fax: (306) 798-0796
Marilyn.Day@gov.sk.ca
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