Article appeared in the Nov 24, 2011 issue of the Interlake Spectator…
At its last strategic planning meeting, held in Nov. 2010, the Riverton-based Community Futures East Interlake (CFEI) made a new regional needs assessment one of its five priorities for the fiscal year, the others of which were the recently held Interlake housing forum, a marketing campaign to highlight CFEI services, programming to retain and expand regional businesses, and a jointly delivered grant program, with Interlake Development Corporation (IDC), to assist communities in the region.
Although they have conducted a number of community assessments over the years, the last time CFEI did a regional needs assessment was about 20 years ago. It resulted in the building of the Lakeview Resort and Conference Centre, CFEI’s most ambitious project to date.
CFEI is now pondering its next big project for the East Interlake region, but needs community input on local development needs. CFEI wants to gauge where community organizations, residents and local businesses stand in terms of initiatives that will benefit the region.
As an alternative to hiring a consultant, the CFEI board opted for a more cost effective approach and developed a 30-question on-line survey, with a range of specific and general questions about current and future needs in each community.
Out of the 44,000 people who live in the various communities in EICD’s catchment area, EICD is hoping for at least 100 completed surveys from each town and municipality, which will give them a good picture of both regional and sub-regional needs, explained General Manager, Tammy Hudyma.
The survey takes about a half hour to complete and gives residents and community groups a chance to say what they see, and want they want to see, for their communities.
Prizes for filling out the survey before Dec. 12 may be won. The grand prize is a $1,000 donation to any non-profit organization in the East-Interlake region, as selected by the contest winner. Five other people will win CFEI gear.
To take part in the survey visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MHNZGLW, or visit www.eastinterlake.com and follow the links.
CFEI is non-profit economic development organization with its office located in Riverton. It has been serving the region for 25 years, providing community development support, business support services, and business loans up to $150,000 for business start up or expansion in the East Interlake. CFEI is federally funded through the Western Economic Diversification program.
