Last week, Destination Marketing/Economic Development Coordinator for The Pas and area Kimberly Ballantyne was the guest presenter at The Pas Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting where she talked about the current projects that she and the Tri- Council are working on for economic development for The Pas and surrounding areas.

Ballantyne says she was focused on creating partnerships at the start of her role so she made it her priority to become involved with the Tri-Council.

One of the projects approved by the Tri Council is “Townfolio” an online network that can be used to showcase the Tri areas manufacturing, agriculture and growing tourism industry.

Drawing more tourists to the Tri area is a goal that Ballyntyne and the Tri Council has due to the vast number of attractions in the area.

She added that she recently conducted research on funding opportunities that The Pas, OCN and The RM of Kelsey could be eligible for. Some of these funding opportunities included the “Smart Cities Challenge” and the “Churchill Regional Economic Development Fund”. The goal is to use this funding for community projects such as improving the lagoon and the regional landfill, and for a transit system. Applications are currently being worked on for these funding opportunities and they have not yet been finalized.