PROVINCE AND NORTH EAST REDA CELEBRATE REDA WEEK

Organizations committed to grassroots community economic development are being celebrated for their achievements during Regional Economic Development Authority (REDA) Week in Saskatchewan, February 19th to 25th.

Saskatchewan's 28 REDAs develop and promote the economic strengths of their regions and represent collaboration among local governments, businesses, communities, co-operatives, and First Nations and Métis people.

"REDAs harness the economic potential of our regions through partnerships and engagement, and that gives Saskatchewan a distinct advantage for regional growth," Deputy Premier and Regional Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Clay Serby said. "By fostering investment and job creation, our REDAs are leading the way to a thriving, diverse economy and enhancing quality of life."

Saskatchewan Rural Development will become Saskatchewan Regional Economic and Co-operative Development, effective April 1st.

"REDAs will continue to play a key role in the new Department of Regional Economic and Co-operative Development," Serby said. "The new department will retain the emphasis on rural economic development and growth that the previous department had. The new name recognizes and affirms the importance of economic development efforts, and the role of co-ops in that development, at the local level."

Nesco Meats Inc. is an example of a REDA working with the livestock industry to increase capacity in the region. Through the REDA Enhancement Fund (REF), the North East REDA has contributed $13,000 toward a study into a multi-species processing plant near Melfort.

The new venture will provide a highly mechanized plant with superior working conditions and sanitation, which will handle a wide range of species with varying weights and be adaptable to meet specifications for various market niches for new products.

"Nesco Meats Inc. will be a 50,000 head per year, federally inspected facility that provides livestock producers with a slaughter, value-added processing and marketing facility," City of Melfort Economic Development Manager Dillon Shewchuk said. "In addition to creating between 30 and 40 full-time jobs, it will also provide many spinoff jobs in trucking and service supply areas."

The $12 million plant is scheduled to begin construction in 2006.

Past project support to rural REDAs around the province under the REDA Enhancement Fund has enabled REDAs to leverage investments of more than $4 million for 177 projects. To date, these projects have realized capital investments of more than $38 million, along with the creation of 174 jobs and the maintenance of 90 jobs. These numbers are expected to double in the next two years as the projects proceed into their final stages.

REDA members and partners are champions of world-class economic development practices. Saskatchewan's business retention and expansion, industry cluster development, and strategic alliance initiatives have received prestigious awards as best in the province, nation and world.

REDAs have a number of special activities scheduled during the week, including the Saskatchewan Economic Developers Association's Moving to the Next Level conference, February 22nd and 23rd in Saskatoon.

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For More Information, Contact:

Donna Rehirchuk Rural Development Regina Phone: (306) 787-2359