Services

What can Gateway REDA offer?

Gateway REDA Service Expectations

The following four categories (the "pillars" of Gateway REDA) are the services that Gateway REDA is to ensure are delivered within the Region.

Capacity Building

Capacity building is the development of regional capacity to generate new ideas to increase investments, resources, and businesses. Its progress is measured not just in job numbers but also in a quality of life that extends into all corners of the society. Capacity building is about building assets that are not easily measured.

This pillar focuses on:

• expanding and diversifying the people who participate in regional decision-making;
• building new leadership;
• strengthening people's skills;
• strategically thinking as a region and having three-year rolling work plans;
• consistently progressing toward the goals set as a region;
• preparing to meet regional needs for the "hard" side of economic development (such as labour, capital, and regulation);
• building more effective community organizations and institutions; and,
• using resources that already exist within the region more efficiently and effectively.

Investment Readiness

Investment readiness is the stage of development activity that moves a region from reactive to proactive mode in order to create opportunities.

This pillar focuses on:

• community profiling of both "hard" and "soft" economic development factors;
• company visitation/corporate aftercare, business retention and expansion strategies;
• sector development strategies;
• SWOT analysis;
• investment marketing or branding strategy that is built on competitive advantages;
• ensuring appropriate infrastructure is in place to attract new investments;
• ensuring appropriate regulations are in place to attract new investments; and,
• assisting in accessing capital.

Business and Sector Development

Business and sector development pillar is the services and programs available within a region to support new, existing and expanding businesses and sectors.

This pillar focuses on:

• business counselling;
• training;
• resource materials;
• research and development;
• project development and management;
• downtown development;
• industrial park;
• business retention and expansion initiatives;
• business attraction initiatives;
• clustering initiatives;
• export readiness;
• import replacement; and,
• productivity enhancements - that is, working with existing businesses to improve their profitability.

Sustainability

Sustainability is an integrated economic, social, and environmental approach to capitalizing on a region's natural attributes to sustain and enhance regional wealth.

This pillar focuses on:

• Natural Capital:
• resources;
• ecological supports; and,
• quality of life benefits.
• Built Capital:
• buildings;
• equipment;
• infrastructure; and,
• information.
• Human Capital:
• skills;
• education; and,
• health.
• Social Capital:
• family;
• neighbours;
• community; and
• governance.
• Community Capacity:
• the ability to use assets.

Sustainability may focus on the following areas:

• growing the economy;
• preserving the environment;
• increasing the population;
• securing financing for organizations and projects;
• addressing infrastructure needs;
• addressing regulatory needs;
• marketing and promotion; and,
• implementing long-term strategy and work plans.

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Core Services

The core services that the Gateway REDA focuses on include:

Co-ordination

(Pillar: Capacity Building)

Gateway REDA plays an active role in the co-ordination of services in the Gateway REDA region. This is accomplished by ongoing communication with the various service providers within the region, including Sunrise Community Futures Development Corporation, neighbouring REDA and CFDC Managers, and Community Economic Development Committees. Co-operation is accomplished by ongoing communication with the various service providers within the region in order to not duplicate services but still fill the gaps.

Local Initiative & Project Management

(Pillar: Capacity Building; Business and Sector Development)

Gateway REDA will provide a supporting role in regards to project management as opportunities present themselves and where partnerships can be developed.

Organization Development & Planning

(Pillar: Capacity Building; Sustainability; Investment Readiness)

Gateway REDA provides ongoing planning and organization development services directly to its members through ongoing availability of Strategic Planning facilitation and ongoing consultation when required by its members.

Information

(Pillar: Capacity Building)

While Gateway REDA's focus is on community or regional projects, there is an emerging need to provide “project-based” information and guidance for individuals within our municipalities. Information is also provided through the Gateway REDA Enterprise Centre and is focused on business start-up and expansion as well as various project information.

Education & Training

(Pillar: Capacity Building; Sustainability)

This service is provided by filling gaps where they may exist from time to time in the area of entrepreneurship.

Research & Development

(Pillar: Business and Sector Development)

Research will be focused on identification of opportunities for development and on project-specific requests.

Promotion & Marketing

(Pillar: Capacity Building; Sustainability; Investment Readiness)

Promoting and marketing consists of Gateway REDA, region, communities, and development opportunities including promotion and marketing services. Gateway REDA may prepare and update regional economic facts and figures, profiles and brochures. It may ensure that all municipal members and non-members within the Gateway REDA region are made aware of the benefits of the REDA program generally and the Gateway REDA benefits and services specifically.

Capital

(Pillar: Business and Sector Development)

Gateway REDA administers the Gateway REDA Small Business Loans Association (SBLA) and the R.M. of Moosomin SBLA Co-op Ltd. that offers financial assistance to both new and existing businesses that are creating jobs, adding services to our communities, and helping entrepreneurs within the Gateway REDA region trading area. These associations include loans that are available up to a maximum of $15,000.

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