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Annual Report

FY 2015 - 2016

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Table of Contents

Message from the Chair……………………………………………….. 1

Background ………………………………………………………………….. 2

The BRAED Organization……………………………………………… 3

Our 2015 - 2016 Members……………………………………………. 4

Our Executive …..……………………………………………………………5

Organizational Chart …………………………………………………… 5

Highlights ………………………………………...…………………………. 6-8

Contacts ………………………………………………………………………. 8

Financial Statements …………………………………… Appendix A

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Message from the Chair

The past year has once again been one of change and growth for BRAED. The

impacts of the downturn in the economy and challenges facing the oil and gas

sector have been felt in every community across Alberta. Now, more than ever,

it is vital that we identify opportunities to diversify our economy and explore

opportunities for investment and job creation outside of the traditional energy

sector. It is equally important that we recognize the value of our existing

businesses and find innovative ways to support them as they weather the storm.

In light of the shifting economic landscape BRAED has undergone a Strategic Planning process to ensure that we

remain proactive and responsive to the needs of our member communities. We are working to provide leadership

and a collaborative approach to regional economic development. Current government priorities indicate that

collaboration among municipalities and neighbouring regions will become increasingly important in the months

and years ahead. BRAED is already demonstrating strong leadership in this area through its efforts in support of

the Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor which is a partnership between BRAED and two neighbouring Regional

Economic Development Alliances; the Palliser Economic Partnership and the Northern Region Information Hub.

Through this unique partnership BRAED has been able to leverage additional resources and gain important

exposure internationally in efforts to attract investment to the region.

The RAIL Commons event held in the fall of this year is another example of a highly successful partnership that

provided an important learning and networking event for community members from the Battle River Region and

beyond. Working with the Augustana Campus of the University of Alberta and a variety of provincial partners,

BRAED assisted in the planning and hosting of this high-profile learning event which garnered universally positive

feedback from our members.

The success of the REACH program which provides coaching and support to new and emerging entrepreneurs is

yet another example of the power of partnership. First piloted in Camrose, the program was later rolled out in

Wainwright and has had a significant impact on the ability of new entrepreneurs to strengthen their business

models and greatly enhance their chances for long-term success.

It is a testament to the strength of this organization and the commitment of our members that these

accomplishments took place during a year of significant organizational change. With the departure of former

Executive Director Shay Barker coming early in the second quarter of this year, consultants Rodger Cole and Rick

Siddle stepped in to guide the organization on an interim basis while the search for a new Executive Director took

place. In January of this year we were pleased to welcome Margot Bégin who joined us from Colchester County,

Nova Scotia and brings with her an extensive background in guiding economic development for small and rural

communities.

I would like to thank the Board and Executive for your continued commitment to BRAED and for your vision in

guiding us forward as we work to meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Arnold.

Councillor, Beaver County

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Background

The Battle River Alliance for Economic Development (BRAED) is a regional economic development alliance

made up of 25 municipalities, 5 affiliate members, and 16 associate members.

BRAED is a registered non-profit corporation under The Companies Act of Alberta in the name of Battle

River Alliance for Economic Development Ltd. The Articles of Association of BRAED include the address of

the registered office, membership requirements, procedures for meetings, rules and regulations for the

Board of Directors, Committees and Officers, along with administrative details on banking, auditors, notice,

etc.

The corporate structure of BRAED consists of a Board of Directors comprised of one appointee from

each member municipality, and one affiliate member to represent all affiliate members. The Board of

Directors elects an Executive Committee comprised of seven members who in turn select the Chair,

Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. An executive director, administrator, and various support

organizations are part of the overall organizational support structure.

MISSION BRAED will work with, and

provide tools and

resources to our members

and partners that help to

increase their economic

development capacity.

VISION BRAED will serve as the go-

to Economic Development

Organization for the Region

through it’s provision of

services and leadership in

driving a sustainable

approach to regional

economic growth.

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On an as-needed basis Task Team or Working Groups are formed to help guide projects and activities that

support BRAED’s key service delivery areas:

BRAED’s five core businesses are…

The BRAED Organization

Thank you to our members and many

partners for your continued dedication

and support!

Informatio

n Sharing

Promotio

n

Service

DeliveryAdvocacy

Board

Dev.

Village of Alliance

Village of Bittern Lake

Beaver County

City of Camrose

Town of Castor

Village of Chauvin

Town of Coronation

Town of Daysland

Village of Edgerton

Flagstaff County

Village of Forestburg

Village of Halkirk

Town of Hardisty

Village of Holden

Village of Irma

Town of Killam

Village of Lougheed

County of Paintearth

Village of Ryley

Town of Sedgewick

Special Area # 4

Town of Tofield

Town of Viking

M.D of Wainwright

Town of Wainwright

Battle River Watershed Alliance

Veterans Memorial Highway 36

Association

Paintearth Economic Partnership

Society

Go East Regional Tourism

Organization

Meridian Manufacturing Group

PlasmaTrax Manufacturing

Hoyme Manufacturing Inc.

T & E Pumps Ltd.

SK Welding Ltd.

League Pipeline Services Ltd.

Ribstone Creek Brewery

Tankstore Ltd.

Kinsella Plastics

Allied Flux Reclaiming Ltd.

Bunge Canada

Global Fusion Coatings Inc.

Pro-Strata Enterprises Inc.

East Bruce Manufacturing Ltd.

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The BRAED Executive

CHAIR: Arnold Hanson, Councillor, Beaver County

VICE-CHAIR: Carl Marsh, Deputy Mayor, Village of Holden

SECRETARY: Carley Herbert, EDO, Town of Wainwright

TREASURER: vacant

MEMBER AT LARGE: Edward Kusalik, Councillor, Town of Daysland

MEMBER AT LARGE: Joan Green, Councillor, Village of Irma

MEMBER AT LARGE: (Interim) Malcolm Boyd, City Manager, City of Camrose

Organization Chart

BRAED Board of

Directors Representatives of

each member

municipality plus 1

Affiliate Member

Representative

Executive

Committee

Task Teams

&

Committees

Administration

Executive Director

Admin Assistant

Contract

Employees

Alberta

Economic

Development

and Trade

Federal &

Provincial

Agencies

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Highlights

Organizational Change

This past year saw the departure of former Executive Director Shay Barker in September 2015. Consultants

Rodger Cole and Rick Siddle provided interim guidance to the organization during the third quarter while

the search for a new Executive Director took place.

In January 2016, Margot Bégin assumed the role of Executive Director for BRAED for the final quarter of this

year. Margot is a graduate of Acadia University, Certified Economic Development Fellow of the Economic

Developers Association of Canada and a PRINCE 2 Certified Project Manager. She is an experienced business

owner and brings with her more than a decade of experience in working with small and rural communities

in a regional economic development setting. Shortly after joining BRAED she was elected to the Board of

the Economic Developers Association of Alberta where she hopes to provide a strong voice for rural Alberta.

Margot also serves as a Director on the Board of the Economic Developers Association of Canada.

Rural Alberta Innovation and Learning (RAIL) Commons

RAIL Commons was joint initiative of the Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities (ACSRC) and

BRAED. It was a highly successful three-day learning commons focused on rural economic and

Community development. With more than 100 attendees, it was an important opportunity for councillors,

mayors, CAOs, EDOs, community development professionals, and students from across the province to

engage in various rurally focused topics such as: community and economic development, sustainability

planning, social policy, water, continuing care, recruitment and retention, business succession, aboriginal

relations and the changing agricultural landscape.

Attendee feedback was universally positive and a second RAIL Commons Event is tentatively planned for

2017.

Revamped BRAED Website www.braedalberta.ca

A soft launch of the revamped BRAED website took place in Feb-March of this year with a formal launch planned for

the Annual General Meeting. The new site incorporates some significant improvements and valuable resources for

member communities that have been provided at no additional cost beyond the basic membership fee through

BRAED’s ability to leverage project funding. Member communities now have access to high-quality, high-resolution

printable marketing materials that include Investment Fact Sheets, Online Community Profiles, Company

Profiles, and Lifestyle Fact Sheets. These resources can be easily updated and changed so that they do not

become out-dated or obsolete. They provide communities with an enhanced ability to market themselves

and to respond to investment inquiries. More enhancements to the website are planned. It is hoped that

the BRAED website will be a repository for tools and resources that communities can access to assist them

with community-based projects and economic development initiatives.

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Highlights cont’d

Rural Entrepreneurship Assistance and Coaching Hostel (REACH) Program

The REACH program seeks to engage prospective entrepreneurs and new entrepreneurs whose businesses

are within the first year of operation and connect them to resources and skill development supports that

would improve their potential for long term business success.

The specific approach was modeled after a highly successful program developed in Russia and was adapted

by local consultants Rodger Cole and Rick Siddle in collaboration with BRAED.

The Pilot Phase of the program was rolled out in the City of Camrose; with 8 participants. A second phase

of the REACH program was begun in Camrose during the final quarter of this past fiscal year. An additional

program was also rolled out in Wainwright and is still underway.

Some key outcomes of the initial phase of REACH are:

Two new businesses have celebrated their Grand Openings;

Existing business increased sales and created one additional job;

Emerging business has purchased a new facility; and

Emerging business has made a capital investment to purchase equipment.

While the impact of the program will continue to be evaluated, it has already had a significantly positive

effect on area entrepreneurs:

“My experience with the REACH PROGRAM has been a life saver for my business. Without

Natalia's mentorship I would likely be closing my doors in the next 2-3 months… Her sincere

and genuine passion for this program along with her knowledge makes this a priceless

experience. I am so glad I joined this program and I would recommend it to anyone working

on owning their own business.”

Camrose REACH Program Participant, August 2015

As a further testament to the positive impact of this project, the REACH Program was also recognized with an

Honourable Mention as part of the Economic Developers Alberta Awards of Excellence.

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Highlights cont’d

Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor (EATC)

BRAED Communities are represented beyond the regions and internationally as part of the EATC. The

EATC is a collaborative effort between three Regional Economic Development Alliances; comprising 80

communities that aims to attract investment and growth to Eastern Alberta by leveraging the assets

related to North -South transportation routes that run from Fort McMurray to the US Border and beyond

to sea ports in Mexico.

The value proposition for the EATC is:

Investing along the Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor offers your business transportation

efficiency and attractive cost advantages while connecting you to global markets for

Agriculture, Energy, Aerospace/Defence and Manufacturing.

Work continued this past year to develop an integrated system of marketing tools for both online and

printed platforms, that can be used by the 80 EATC member communities in their investment attraction

efforts. Under the EATC umbrella, BRAED Communities have been represented a number of events aimed

at creating awareness of the opportunities and assets of the Battle River Region and at attracting

investment to the region. Some of these events include the Ports to Plains Conference and the Global

Petroleum Show.

The online EATC resources and community data is now closely integrated with the BRAED website and this

has enabled BRAED to leverage far more funding and resources than it would have been able to do if not

part of this collaborative partnership.

Contact Box 373 5023 - 50 Street

Killam, Alberta T0B 2L0

www.braedalberta.ca

780.385.2450 | 780.678.4145

margot.begin@braedalberta.ca

Twitter: @BRAEDAlberta

Youtube: BRAED Alberta