WHITECOURT, AB — Leaders and changemakers from across north-central Alberta gathered at the Eagle River Casino on April 15–16 for a regional workshop hosted by the Growth Alberta Partnership. With representatives from a diverse array of communities—including Hinton, High Prairie, Woodlands County, East Prairie Metis Settlement, Sucker Creek First Nation, Big Lakes County, Veolia, Mayerthorpe, Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement, Camp Creek, and Swan Hills—the event focused on building stronger connections, sparking new ideas, and laying the groundwork for long-term regional success.

Facilitators Beth Ed and Brittany Vine from The Social Impact Lab led the group through two days of interactive sessions. Based in Calgary, The Social Impact Lab is a partnership between United Way of Calgary and Area and J5 Design. Their specialty? Helping communities and organizations tackle tough challenges with creative, community-driven solutions. Through group discussions, thought-provoking small group activities, and examples from other regions, participants mapped out the known local strengths of the region and explored creative new ideas for collaboration and innovation.

The workshop opened with a powerful short film shared by Peter Kuelken, the Growth Alberta Partnership's Chairperson. The film focused on food security and other pressing sociological issues, setting the tone for meaningful, grounded discussion.

"If we share ideas and our life experiences, we have collectively an opportunity to create our future."

-Peter Kuelken, Growth Alberta Partnership Chair and Councillor for Woodlands County

A powerful theme emerged through the two days of conversations: "building a movement." It reflected the collective energy in the room—people were eager to roll up their sleeves and start doing the work together. The phrase followed last year's inspiring message of viewing the region as a "community of communities," which was the resounding theme that came out of the Growth Alberta Partnership's 2024 Regional Socioeconomic Partnership Workshop and became the foundation for the organization's new, more inclusive approach to regional development.

This year's event built on that foundation and came at a critical time. The Government of Alberta has begun the process of phasing out operational funding for the province's Regional Economic Development Alliances (REDAs), including the Growth Alberta Partnership, by 2027. As a result, Growth—and organizations like it—are finding creative new ways to fund their work in developing increased socioeconomic opportunities for the communities in their respective regions.

"The wisdom is in the room." That's our facilitator's tagline. And it was true last week. Community Builders, one and all."

-Janet Jabush, Executive Director for the Growth Alberta Partnership and Mayor of Mayerthorpe.

This workshop was a key step in preparing for that shift. Rather than see the funding changes as a setback, participants embraced the moment as an opportunity to think differently, strengthen their partnerships, and take more ownership of their region's future. With even more engagement sessions planned—including a second workshop coming up in June 2025—the movement is just getting started.

The Growth Alberta Partnership is committed to turning the ideas and energy from this session into real action, with a new strategic direction guided by the voices of the people who live, work, and invest in this region.