About Rural Diversification
Our world is changing rapidly. What made sense in terms of economic development strategies a decade ago, may not make sense today and will most likely not be relevant tomorrow. For many rural communities, reliance on old industries and on old ways of working to stimulate development has become or may soon become irrelevant.
As a result and in order for rural communities to be able to compete in our fast changing world full of economic uncertainties, there is increased need to adopt new economic development strategies. These strategies must be intentional or focused. They must be flexible to adapt in order to capture opportunities presented by a market place that truly is global. Most likely, these community strategies will be based upon innovation, diversification, and in the securing of new markets for existing and to be developed rural products and services. The future relevancy of our rural communities will depend on how well we collectively vision, plan for, and create growth for our communities... one idea at a time.
Successful rural communities will identify, inventory and access economic opportunities. They will look for unique ways to build upon what they already have. Using existing community assets, the resilient community of tomorrow will also look for new and efficient ways to produce and then market products/services to new customers in a marketplace infinitely larger than it was 2 decades ago. Successful communities will "fight" to ensure that they are relevant in 2020 and beyond. They will invest in themselves, rather than waiting for government or others to ensure that they are diversified and relevant for a secure tomorrow.
At the local or regional level, Community Futures organizations play a key role in working along side community leaders and other key stakeholders for the development of a strategic vision for our community's future. Along with our communities and community partners, Community Futures organizations invest in activities and projects designed to allow our rural communities to be resilient. Specifically, CF organizations focus on identifying, prioritizing and supporting industry clusters.
Community Futures organizations provide support and as required, leadership at the local level. Our 27 Community Futures organizations, through direction provided by local volunteer boards, do provide a unique set of rural community economic development program supports to assist community and other key stakeholders to ensure that we continue to grow rural Alberta... One Idea At A Time.
For more information on Rural Diversification, click here.
To learn more about how Community Futures assist rural communities, contact your local Community Futures office. Click here.