Appeared in the July 14, 2011 issue of the Interlake Spectator…
The Arborg business community bent the ear of Hugh McFadyen, Leader of the Official Opposition, during meetings with the Arborg Bifrost Community Development Corporation (ABCDC) in Arborg on Jul. 8.
Representatives from the Arborg and RM of Bifrost Councils attended, along with business leaders in the region, and Progressive Conservative candidate, founding chairperson of ABCDC, Steve Lupky. Numerous local issues were raised, and brief presentations made to McFadyen, who then commented.
President of ABCDC, James Johnson, chaired the meeting. Topics presented were strategically chosen, and Arborg’s strengths and capacity as a major industrial hub, and potentially a medical service centre, was emphasized. Infrastructure needs were highlighted, particularly the need for paved roads north of Arborg to accommodate the large numbers of transport trucks going to and from factories.
“We need roads to be built here to keep the jobs here,” said Harold Foster, Reeve of Bifrost, who informed McFadyen that the manufacturing sector brings in $66 million and employs 324 people, all of whom pay taxes.
“The amount of money they’ve brought in has paid for the cost of the roads two times over,” he said.
Brian Johnson, owner of Johnson Seeds, addressed drainage issues and spoke about some of the work being done on it by the Bifrost Agricultural Sustainability Initiative Cooperative (BASIC).
“Moisture is not a problem. It’s a matter of managing the moisture…decades old infrastructure can’t handle the drainage…160,000 acres are being lost to drainage problems because ditches are not being done,” he said.
“We need a broad water management plan around the province,” McFadyen responded. “Most of the major water management plan was done in the 1960s…we need to think about water storage and water management, and put some money into that.”
Issues of health care and housing were also raised by Johnson, and ABCDC’s Economic Development Officer, Pat McCallum. Councillor, Susan Medwid addressed the issue of Arborg’s invisibility to the outside world, and outlined its plans to place signs in locations between Winnipeg and Arborg.
“I think it’s great that you’re doing that. I think a lot of people around the province would be surprised at how much business and activity there is here,” McFadyen remarked.
Leaders in the Arborg region are committed to the growth of their communities and want to ensure they are thriving 100 years from now.
“I’m personally committed to making sure the region does well,” said McFadyen.
He summarized that spending strategically and wisely to create positive spin-offs is the strategy that he supports.
The meeting was followed up with a tour of the Okno area, north of Arborg, where a manufacturing Mecca has been built over the years. McFadyen was given a first-hand experience of the state of the roads on the way to touring a couple of the manufacturing facilities.
A fundraising event for Lupky’s campaign, held at Arborg Heritage Park, followed in the evening. Approximately 75 people attended the “Bud and Steak Night”. Additional money was raised with a 50-50 draw, and a perfume bottle draw.
McFadyen joined Lupky at the event, where both spoke briefly, but mainly mingled with supporters and shook hands.
