City garners marketing award
28.09.2007, 08:45
The City of Airdrie economic development department seems to be on the right track, as it has been recognized with a prestigious marketing award in the business development/research category.
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The award, from the Economic Development Association of Canada, was presented for the city’s Economic Development Sustainable Prosperity Strategy 2007 at the association’s banquet in October.
"We’re pretty happy," said Kent Rupert, who heads up Airdrie’s economic development team.
While the award is an honour, the economic development team is even more pleased with the strategy it is creating to market Airdrie and enable the city to reach several goals.
"Overall, I think we’re pretty excited and pretty optimistic with our strategy," Rupert said. "The award is just sort of the icing on the cake."
The strategy has come at a time of unprecedented growth in Airdrie, which presents its own challenges to the aim of building healthy communities and sustainable businesses while at the same time attracting investment.
Working with existing and new business and encouraging them to be environmentally responsible; strengthening resources and services; and promoting Airdrie to attract new business are all aspects of fostering the city’s sustainability.
"We did not build our strategies in isolation," Rupert said.
And working toward a shift in attitude toward Airdrie is also a challenge, as many – even some of those living and doing business inside city limits – still see Airdrie as small town. But the new strategy, as a well-researched, practical plan to economic development, will help guide the way.
"We’re becoming a really dynamic energetic city," Rupert said.