NEW ENTERPRISE REGION PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN THREE AREAS

The Saskatchewan Government today continued the launch of the expanded Enterprise Region (ER) program with three new ERs - 55 West ER out of Meadow Lake, North West ER out of North Battleford, and West Central ER out of Kindersley.

As part of its new economic development plan, the province has decided to reorganize and strengthen the way regional economic development will be implemented in Saskatchewan. The new ER program has seen funding increased and service areas have been expanded.

"As part of our new economic development plan, we want regional development offices to be able to attract and handle multi-million dollar projects coming into our province," Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart said. "We want to build on regional strengths and take advantage of the economic opportunities to build stronger regions."

The new ER program will focus on sustainable economic growth by supporting regional business and industries and by creating competitiveness advantages at the regional, national and international level.

"We are pleased to be a part of the Enterprise Region program," North West ER chair Wally Lorenz said. "The funding received will enable us to work closely with Enterprise Saskatchewan and our regional partners to build and grow our economies."

"We are very excited about the economic opportunities," West Central ER chair Stew Seversen said. "With the formation of the West Central ER, we are confident that the region will experience many benefits as we work toward furthering our economic development initiatives."

"The work that the Multi-Stakeholder Working Group and the initial board have put into establishing the Enterprise Region is commendable and we look forward to a bright future with this new organization," 55 West ER chair Jack Purves said.

The new ER program will operate in 13 new regions across the province. The decision to create the new larger regions is based on information on where people live and work, and takes into consideration natural boundaries such as rivers and road patterns.

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For more information, contact:

Tim Tororey
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5582
Email: tim.tororey@enterprisesask.ca