RM of Woodlands

Box 10, Woodlands, Manitoba, Canada R0C 3H0
Phone: (204) 383-5679 Fax: (204) 383-5169

Woodlands Community Economic Development

What Is Community Economic Development (CED)?

Community economic development could be defined as community driven efforts to improve the quality of life and the prosperity of the community as a whole. Generally, CED initiatives take into consideration three factors: economic impact, social impact and environmental impact. Initiatives are assessed based on these three factors to assure improvements in one area do not cause hardship in another - a comprehensive review of development.

This process can only be achieved through local initiative. Community needs and opportunities are determined by individual and collective input, which reflect local attitudes and values that are of focus and interest to everyone. Community involvement is sparked when community members recognize a need or opportunity and proceed to take action to address the situation, using appropriate and available resources.

Woodlands Community Economic Development Services

The Rural Municipality of Woodlands has provided Community Economic Development (CED) services since 1999. By creating the position of the Community Economic Development Officer, the Municipality has provided resource assistance for CED initiatives.

The Community Economic Development Officer's role is to assist community members and organizations in business or organizational planning, project development and research and funding identification. The CED Officer is the liaison between Council and a variety of the community organizations. Examples of projects that the Community Economic Development Officer has provided resource support include recreation grant applications, individual business planning and community based training opportunities. The Community Economic Development Officer also attends tradeshows and events on behalf of the community to promote local business and tourism attractions.

The Rural Municipality of Woodlands has also formed the Woodlands Community Development Corporation (CDC). The CDC is a company incorporated under The Corporations Act of the Province of Manitoba. The primary role of the CDC is to promote its community with a view to achieving the objectives as set out in the community economic development action plan or the local Round Table action plan. A CDC is often formed as the outcome of the Round Table, or is the formalization of a economic or community development committee or board. A CDC can conduct a wide range of activities to stimulate the local economy, one of which may be to act as a community lender under the Community Works Loan Program.

The Woodlands CDC is operated under the guidance of a Council appointed Board of Directors. Generally meetings are held 2-6 times throughout the year, to discuss project ideas and administer the Community Works Loan Program. Over the past three years of the CDC's operation projects such as housing studies, financial institution feasibility studies and webpage development have been initiated. If you would like to be a part of the Community Development Corporation, please contact the Community Economic Development Officer at 383-5679. Further information on the Community Works Loan Program and business planning assistance is available in the Business Planning /Financing Assistance area of the website.

If you are a member of a community organization that needs assistance with a project, please contact the Community Economic Development Officer.