Town unveils strategic plan document

By Ken Johnston
Editor

“Operating a community is like pushing a boulder up a hill. If everyone is on board it is goes easy. But everyone going in opposite directions it gets difficult,” said town councillor Gord Armstrong.
With that in mind a committee of council and community members have put together a 14 page strategic plan for the Town of Rainy River.
In that plan the introduction says the people of Rainy River has two choices. Either lock the town up and throw the key away or “Create a vision of what can be if we change the way we do things, ‘we’ being the citizens of Rainy River.
The committee has chosen the latter choice and hopes that the community will jump on board to get the job done.
The plan says the question people should be asking themselves is, “Why am I living in Rainy River?”
Armstrong said that if the answer is, “Rainy River is my home, these are my people, my friends and future, then this plan is for you. Let’s do it together.”
Goals of the plan are:
1. Identify a vision of what can be.
2. To leave no stone unturned in efforts to bring people, work and pleasure to the community.
3. Ensure a sound financial future.
4. Plan well and implement it.
5. To make RR a well designed and oiled machine.
Strategies include addressing the following concerns:
1. Demographics
2. Infrastructure
3. Tourism
4. Industry
5. Education
6. Publicity
7. Beautification
8. Recreation
Armstrong said the committee plans to meet with all the stakeholders, including council, chamber of commerce, recreation board, the ag. sector, hospital and school boards, tourist providers, neigbouring communities, First Nations, churches, loggers and others. Last week they began that process, having sent out letters to 60 people they thought might be interested in forming the basis to begin the process.
Armstrong noted that building a strong foundation before hanging the roof is essential.
Council hopes the group will help form a 2, 5 and 10 year plan for the community.
That plan will include identifying future service needs, a repair and improvement schedule for infrastructure, a map of available property for both housing and business development. Identifying potential job creation ideas and attempts to attract entrepreneurs to Rainy River will also be part of the plan. “We hope to have two information packages available both on line and on paper. One will be for potential business developers and the other for potential residents,” explained Armstrong.
A timeline has been established in the plan. It is hoped that the town’s website will be updated by June 1, 2007, an economic/rec. coordinator be hired by Aug. 1, 2007, and that the Town’s two and five year infrastructure plans be in place by June. 30, 2007. It is also hoped that all committees will be fully functional by June 1, 2007 and that an advertising and community promotional campaign will be in full swing this summer.