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Work together or fight

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Published on Thursday, July 2, 2015

By Vern May

Minnedosa & Area Community Development Corporation

What if we both want the same customers? Is it better to go to war to compete for those dollars or to collaborate in areas which best serve our clientele? It’s probably easier and more productive to work together — or we could fight.

When it comes to marketing rural life for young families, we often find ourselves selling our option by weighing it against common pet peeves of folks living in the city. We’ll promote low crime, no traffic, safe neighbourhoods and the close-knit relationships found in small towns. But there’s a piece missing — we’re selling rural living in general and not specifically our own town. We might open the door to the possibility, but from there it’s a total gamble if they’ll choose us or not.

To sweeten the pot, do we want to campaign for their business? Will we dissuade them from considering other small towns by slinging some mud? That seems like an awful lot of wasted energy and detracts from our own class and professionalism. Who are we? Politicians?

Think for a moment about how the private sector is addressing competition. Car dealerships are establishing auto malls, situating a cluster of dealerships on the same block to create a client destination. Yes, every salesman wants to make a commission, but they enjoy the benefits of the visibility that working together brings. The auto park becomes recognized as an one-stop-shop for anyone in the market.  Wouldn’t it be great to create that funnel for our business interests to attract all leads?

How can we apply this same principle in regional economic development? Can we make choosing a place to plant your roots as easy as buying a car? I believe that we can.

I propose that rural communities get together and develop a rural living checklist. This spreadsheet would include an inventory of all services and amenities offered by the participating communities. Criteria would include topics that are of interest to the families we hope to attract: schools, childcare, health services, retail shops, local industry, recreation, tourism, proximity to regional hubs and other factors important to people when considering a move.Using this tool, families who are checking off their specific needs and wants can readily identify which communities to shortlist. Setting their own priorities from the listed criteria, instead of buying into a generic pre-packaged community brochure, we can hope to create the most fulfilling matches that will both attract and retain engaged citizens to the benefit of all.

Using this model, towns can distinguish themselves from each other by showcasing their value-added opportunities. Arenas, pools, theatres, arts programs/clubs, history/heritage groups and social activities for various age groups are all amenities that factor into that decision and will introduce an excited new family to town.Think of it like the rural opportunity super mall. One -top shopping to connect families with a prosperous lifestyle in the wide open spaces that we’ve come to call home.

Let’s continue the conversation and explore the possibilities that exist by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) or phone (204-867-3885). The best things around that I have ever seen, came from small towns and big dreams.