YELLOWHEAD REDA AND AREA BUSINESSES SHARPEN THEIR COMPETITIVE EDGE

Regional economic development agencies are implementing plans to become high performing economic areas in order to take advantage of the opportunities brought about by the growing Saskatchewan economy.

The Yellowhead Regional Economic Development Authority (REDA), together with partners in east central Saskatchewan, will host "Determining our Destiny" on May 1, 2008. The symposium will be held in Esterhazy and will focus on helping the business community and economic development stakeholders learn and develop strategies toward becoming a high performing economic region.

"Our economy is on a roll and high performance REDAs will play a significant part in sustaining our economic growth," Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart said. "REDAs are ready to take the next step toward focused economic development, and I commend the Yellowhead REDA and its partners for this initiative in building a high performing region."

"The Yellowhead REDA and its partners are aiming at ensuring sustainability of our communities, stakeholder equity, prosperity of the business sector and quality of life," Yellowhead REDA acting general manager Michelle Andrews said. "The ‘Determining our Destiny' business symposium will take us a long way toward achieving our goals."

The business symposium will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the S.N. Boreen Community Centre in Esterhazy. A number of high profile international and local speakers from the Saskatchewan business community will give presentations at the event.

The event is being held in order to generate interest, encourage leadership and create confidence around building a high performing economic region in east central Saskatchewan. It is aimed at giving business people, community leaders and economic developers an opportunity to understand the importance of building on the region's economic advantages.

For contact information regarding registering for the one-day symposium and Itinerary, visit www.ei.gov.sk.ca and follow the links under calendar of events, or call Joelene Kotzer-Mitschke at the Yellowhead REDA at 306-786-1416.

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For more information, contact:

Michelle Andrews
Yellowhead REDA
Yorkton
Phone: 306-743-5176

Joanne Johnson
Public Affairs, Enterprise and Innovation
Regina
Phone: 306-787-7967