Athabasca area task force to plan economic recovery

ATHABASCA - Over a dozen people have come together to form the Athabasca Region Business Normalization and Resiliency Task Force, spearheaded by the Athabasca County Tourism and Economic Development (TED) committee, in the hopes of gaining a sense of what a rebuilt economy will look like in the region post-pandemic. 

Interim TED communications officer Luke Pantin reached out to all levels of government, business owners and representatives of industry to bring everyone together. The purpose is to brainstorm, connect with local businesses and build a plan to help shepherd businesses through and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Local representatives are Village of Boyle Mayor Colin Derko, Athabasca County Coun. Travais Johnson, Steve Splinter, owner of Tracker’s Pet Supply, Town of Athabasca Coun. Ida Edwards, Boyle Chamber of Commerce president Bob Clark, the Athabasca Advocate, Aspen View Public Schools board chair Candy Nikipelo, Noel Major, a local entrepreneur, and Pantin. 

Derko, Johnson and Edwards are also members of the TED committee and Splinter is a director for the Athabasca District Chamber of Commerce. 

On behalf of government and industry are Jason Bellingham from Alberta Treasury Branch; Mark Vandenberghe from Alberta Economic Development Trade and Tourism; Mathew Holden from Alberta Labour and Immigration; Kelly Harris-Martin, the general manager of Community Futures Tawatinaw; Scott Wilkie, the vice president of operations with Rangeland Midstream Canada Ltd. and Karen Doyle, an Alberta Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women Community Development Officer. 

“I was asked to join for my business and community volunteer experience,” Major said. “I accepted as this is my community and I feel obligated to contribute whatever it takes to keep this a strong, vibrant community for future generations.” 

The task force will meet at least once a month until September and will consider extending that timeline if needed, and for Nikipelo it is about keeping Athabasca viable since Aspen View is one of the area's largest employers. 

“We have a staff that was employed as of last fall at approximately 330, serving a student population of approximately 2700,” she said in an email. “The economy and what happens to businesses in our region is the biggest effect on our schools and enrollment in the future, so certainly we should be kept in the loop as to how they are managing during this crisis. Rural sustainability has been a focus and priority in our division for years, and we want to engage with all partners affected.” 

Wilkie also said that Rangeland is happy to take a seat on the task force representing the oil and gas sector. 

“Rangeland opened its operations field office in Athabasca in December 2019, and as a new business in the community, we are naturally invested in the success and health of Athabasca and the broader region,” he said. “This was a unique opportunity to work with community leaders and learn of the region’s challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the price volatility experienced in the oil and gas industry. Secondly, this perhaps allows Rangeland to provide another perspective to the task force given our connection within the energy industry.” 

First steps for the task force will be deciding on a series of questions and then contacting businesses to gather data. They will also endeavour to ensure information is getting out to businesses as new funding options are popping up almost daily.