ESTEVAN - The City of Estevan, the RM of Estevan and the Sunrise Community Futures Development Corporation (CF Sunrise) have jointly announced funding allocations through the federal PrairiesCan Canada Coal Transition Initiative.
The City of Estevan will receive funding allocations to upgrade the intersection at Pine Avenue and King Street ($465,000), to maintain economic development capacity ($150,000), and to obtain a bio-economy development opportunity zone designation ($65,166).
The intersection upgrade at Pine Avenue and King Street coincides with the significant rehabilitation of the Estevan Market Mall. It will increase investment into the facility and expand the retail options offered. This advancement will increase employment opportunities.
Traffic lights will be installed at the intersection, and an east entrance to the mall will be shifted to align with Pine Avenue. This lighted intersection is a crucial piece to the rehabilitation project and will ensure proper and safe access for motorist and pedestrians to access the facility.
“In addition, as the City of Estevan continues to look at diversification of job opportunities and industry in the area, it is crucial to have a point of contact to work with business and government agencies to move projects forward. This funding will support the City of Estevan in order to maintain economic development capacity through continued progression and seeking additional opportunities within the region,” stated a press release.
The bio-economy development opportunity zone initiative enables areas that are looking to diversify their economy, the opportunity to pull forward green technology into their communities and support the development of new markets for biomass energy.
The funding through PrairiesCan will allow the municipality to obtain the designation and, in doing so, build more domestic opportunities through local advancements.
The RM of Estevan will receive $175,000 in order to further develop economic and community strategies in partnership with the RM of Coalfields and the Town of Bienfait. These funds will assist in expanding economic opportunities across each municipality and work to expand community support.
This funding allocation is an extension to March 31, 2023 for the regional economic development director and team, and directly supports regional economic development activities of the Southeast Sask. Economic Partnership Inc.
CF Sunrise received $135,000 to develop small businesses in Estevan and region as destination businesses for the purpose of business retention, expansion and development.
The destination business program focuses on providing training to businesses on how to attract new customers from outside of their local marketplace. Additionally, the program provides follow-up support and a platform for business-to-business networking.
Since its inception, the program has had more than 100 businesses participate and recently received the 2022-23 Award for Excellence in Innovation at a provincial summit.
“The City of Estevan, Rural Municipality of Estevan No. 5 and CF Sunrise are doing great work to develop the regional economy, from infrastructure upgrades to expanding job opportunities to diversify and grow the local economy,” said Dan Vandal, minister for PrairiesCan. “PrairiesCan is pleased to see the positive impact this support is having in southeast Saskatchewan.”
“We are thankful to PrairiesCan for their continued recognition of the value CF Sunrise provides the region’s entrepreneurs and communities,” said CF Sunrise general manager Andria Brady. “We look forward to continuing to support the development of our regional economy.”
These funds are vital to the region to assist in making local improvements to infrastructure and to provide professional services to new and existing businesses within our community.
Jointly, the RM of Estevan, the City of Estevan and Community Futures Sunrise thanked PrairiesCan for their ongoing support.
