In its relatively short history, the Alberta Energy Corridor has accomplished some good things.
The government/industry funded agency has a mandate to stimulate economic development in the Athabasca, Boyle and Wandering River area. No easy task at any time, and certainly not when the province and country is facing (or recovering from) a recession.
The organization can lay claim to attracting Portage College to Boyle. That is undoubtedly the AEC’s biggest ‘win’ to date. Other smaller businesses have also made the move north.
But as the organization moves forward — and does so seeking the financial support of local municipalities — it must not rest on its laurels. The AEC must continue to prove its value to the taxpayers that are funding it.
The Village of Boyle has agreed to provide the AEC with $20,000 worth of funding next year, but was hesitant to make a commitment beyond that. You might compare that decision to one made by a sports team when signing a free agent for one year instead of three or four years. The team wants to see results for their investment before they will reward the player with a bigger commitment.
Similarily, Athabasca town council requested more information from the AEC (specifically a budget and forecast) before they will consider providing more funding.
Taxpayer money must always be spent wisely, and local politicians are right to do their research, and to ask the AEC to do the same.
Nobody can downplay the contributions the organization has already made to the local economy, and their hard work is to be commended. But as they ask for the continued support of local taxpayers, they must show that they will continue to provide value.
