Growth and economic development will be areas of focus for the Town of Edson in 2024.
According to Mayor Kevin Zahara, significant work on the Town’s new Land Use Bylaw was completed in 2023 and should be finalized early in the New Year.
Zahara says this will set the Town up for future growth making it easier for developers and land owners to develop properties and do business with the Town.
“We created an Economic Development Position and we are starting to create an Economic Development Strategy which will also help us grow our economy,” says Zahara. “The development of the Pivitol project, completion of the Glenwood Rink revitalization project, Library construction and progress on Vision Park redevelopment are all accomplishments of the last year.”
Those achievements, however, didn’t come without challenges.
Zahara says wildfire and flood emergencies in 2023 were the biggest challenges that took away some focus on normal business activities.
“Despite the damage, financial impacts and stress that it caused the community as a whole, it also disrupted or delayed a number of capital projects which have been deferred into 2024,” he explains. “Despite these challenges, much work was accomplished and I’m incredibly proud of the resilience our staff and community has shown throughout the year.”
“We have several flood and storm/sanitary sewer projects as a part of the capital plan in 2024, so residents can expect to see plenty of construction around the community,” adds Zahara.
He notes, however, that increased costs of delivering services is always a challenge.
“This year, attracting doctors to our community will be a new challenge which we haven’t experienced in over a decade,” says Zahara. “We are already working together with local physician groups on ways we can assist. Continuing to lobby the provincial government to fix Highway 16 through Edson properly, will be a focus for council.”
Given what transpired in 2023, and with the current dry conditions, Zahara encourages residents to be diligent and prepared for emergencies.
“While we hope we don’t have a repeat of 2023, we need to be prepared just in case we don’t see much-needed moisture.”
