It is going to be a busy year in High River for the Economic Development Department.

High speed internet access, an inventory of land and buildings for businesses to access and water issues are all things they are focusing on in 2018.

Manager Jodi Dawson says they have researched what businesses needs and high speed Internet is vital, but they haven't managed to find a company to help make it happen.

"Every business needs access to strong technology infrastructure and the big piece is that high speed internet."

Dawson said the amount of data that businesses need to collect and share is impacting everyone.

"We did have conversations with the major service providers and tried to influence investment here and the interest was lower than what we hoped for."

Dawson says in the service provider world they are looking for a very fast return.

She is also looking at keeping track of buildings and businesses available for rent or sale in town.

"We have also spent time really understanding what we have for buildings and what people have access to, to develop."

When people come in looking for land Dawson follows up on why they did or did not buy.

"That land, we are limited. We have to understand that. It is not an impossible constraint it is just something that needs some attention."

And she said some research needs to be done on just how much water High River has access to.

"We did not know where our water is at. There is lots of opportunities, there is lots of research into use and re-use of water. I just think it is important that we identify it now and start working on it together."

 

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