Mayor Roger Morrill, who is running for re-election this fall, and the only other declared mayoral hopeful, Barbara Bell, say economic development in Athabasca is a priority.
Both say the creation of a town economic development officer position is a strong possibility. However, while Morrill looks to regional collaboration and business-friendly policies to further development, Bell favours direct solicitation of big businesses such as Tim Hortons and Walmart.
“Usually when Walmart comes in, all the little box stores come with it,” said Bell.
Slave Lake has a Walmart, and Bell said there is not a big population difference between Slave Lake and Athabasca.
“We’re both gateways to the north, but at this point, Athabasca has totally, totally missed the boat,” said Bell.
Based on 2011 census data, Slave Lake has a population of 6,782; Athabasca has a population of 2,990.
Morrill does not point to a certain business as a panacea for the local economy, though he does note the need “to be sure we have capacity to attract industry or big box stores” — something the current town council has begun.
“This council just passed a motion for an engineered study for service provision to a large, previously annexed property,” stated Morrill in an email interview.
Morrill believes economic and community development are interdependent.
“As people, we tend to live in areas that meet our social, cultural and physical needs,” he wrote, adding that “businesses of all sorts recognize the importance of locating in communities that have increased abilities to attract potential employees.”
Bell said the needs of the old and the young must be considered.
“All we’ve got in this town right now are a bunch of banks, hairdressers and restaurants,” she said, adding that more entertainment sector businesses are needed: “a bowling alley” or “a movie theatre — something to give the people something to do other than walk the streets.”
Morrill also noted the need to consider the younger generation.
“Young people know that if gainful employment or business opportunities co-exist with excellent education, culture, sports, recreation … (it) will give them reason to consider staying or coming back after a time.”
He added that every councillor has a role to play in the town’s growth and must be “on constant vigil to be active promoters of our community.”
“Councillors need to be willing to discuss any business concerns and potential developments,” he added.
Bell said she would look to the people of Athabasca for guidance by hosting open meetings and sending out questionnaires with residents’ water bills to find out what sort of businesses they would like to see.
She acknowledged that bigger businesses opening in Athabasca could hurt small, local businesses, but said the harm is being done anyway as people seek out big businesses in the city.
“When the people go to the city, they’re doing all their shopping,” she said, adding that revitalizing Main Street and taking advantage of the riverfront’s beauty instead of using it for free parking could go some way towards keeping shoppers in town.
Morrill said regional collaboration needs to be pursued “as a driving force for growth and long-term viability and sustainability.”
“The Town of Athabasca already shares with Athabasca County several essential services and recreational facilities, but we need to be more active together in the area of economic development possibilities,” he stated.
