The Mayor of Rocky Mountain House is looking forward to seeing what 2024 has to offer.
Mayor Debbie Baich said, “I really like our community, 2023 was great. The economic indicators were really strong in Rocky. Plus we had some really great events, Market on Main and we had three rodeo events.” Baich added, “We have some great relationships with Clearwater County, Caroline, along with the First Nation and Metis communities that are in our area.”
Baich added one of council’s biggest accomplishments in 2023 was the strategic plan. Baich said, this year’s strategic plan seems so much more concrete then their first strategic plan. She noted council has already done so many great things from that strategic plan.
Another highlight, according to Baich, was the groundbreaking for the new wastewater treatment plant as well as some upcoming policies that will help the community blossom and grow.
However, Baich said council had some challenges to deal with last year, saying one of them was dealing with inflation, the cost of staffing, and capital project increases.
“Also some of the challenges have been the dynamic within council. Everyone has such a broad definition of what their goals are. It’s been a little bit challenging to stay focused on our strategic plan and not get caught up on some of the negative stuff that happens when you have a group of such diverse people trying to work together.”
However, Mayor Baich is excited for this year, saying Rocky is still going to continue to drive economic development. Baich noted the new tourist zone, which she said is going to help promote the community and surrounding area, especially in the Nordegg and Rocky areas.
Baich said some of the challenges she anticipates this year are to stay focused on the strategic plan and not get distracted and dealing with inflation.
“We still have a really strong economy and things are looking great,” said Baich. “We are hoping to put in a program where we can directly have foreign labour and it supports people of different ethnic backgrounds in our community because we are so desperately short for all kinds of positions from nursing to other positions at the hospital and every-day type of jobs.”
“On the coldest day of the year according to the forecast, I want everyone to stay optimistic, that’s there’s lots of things to be grateful for in our community and lots of things to look forward to. As your sitting in your house, think of how wonderful it is that we live in a beautiful community like we do.”
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