EASTMAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT INC. PROJECTS

          Eastman Regional Development Inc. (ERDI) is a locally controlled non-profit organization that works closely
      with the communities, businesses and governments to deliver a broad range of services to its members.

    Eastman Regional Development Inc. has entered into an agreement with the Eastern Manitoba Tourism
         Association (EMTA) to supply them with office, storage space and provide administration and management
            services to that organization. ERDI recognizes the important role that tourism plays in economic development
         within this region and feel that this fit benefits the entire region.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS PROGRAM

Eastman Regional Development Inc. was instrumental in accessing funding and assisted in the establishment of public, business and library Internet access sites in St-Pierre-Jolys, St. Malo, Lac du Bonnet, Whitemouth, Pinawa, Beausejour, Dugald, Oakbank and Anola. The ERDI office, in Beausejour, serves as the Business Access Centre of the region where a computer can be used to access the Internet and prepare business plans and proposals.
 
STUDENT EMPLOYMENT

Students are hired to work at the Eastman Regional Development, Inc. office to develop web pages, promote availability of the Internet Access Sites, update promotional materials, update listings of available buildings and compile industrial profiles.
 
SELF EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Eastman Regional Development, Inc. delivers the Self Employment Assistance Program (SEA), sponsored by Manitoba Education, Training and Youth, to unemployed individuals interested in starting their own businesses. Clients are counseled to evaluate their ideas. We then assist the clients in preparing a business plan, setting up the business and the business is then monitored throughout their first year to ensure sound business principles are adhered to. We find training opportunities for the clients on topics such as marketing, customer service, legal issues and small business accounting.
 
INFRASTRUCTURE EXPANSION

Eastman Regional Development Inc. assists businesses with their expansion or start-up plans, when requested. We have also assisted with Industrial Park expansion plans in the regions of Beausejour, the Rural Municipality of Brokenhead, The Village of St-Pierre-Jolys, the Rural Municipality of De Salaberry and the Rural Municipality of St. Clements.

ERDI works with member municipalities in lobbying efforts with the Province of Manitoba for road repairs. Highways have been identified and rated to present a common voice to the Province requesting attention to the identified roadways.

ERDI can provide assistance to non-profit groups to help find funds for their projects through a program that profiles over 2200 Canadian foundations and over 6500 U.S foundations.

 
PROSPECTING FOR NEW BUSINESS

Eastman Regional Development Inc. will, on request, work with and assist businesses with their plans to locate in the region. To this end, we have prepared several documents that will assist these businesses in their decision making and include:

·    A comprehensive list of commercial property that is available within the region.
·    A labour Market Study that shows the availability of a work force within the region.
·    Prepared key demographics and Selected Characteristics on the communities within the region.
·   The documents can be used by the municipalities when dealing with a potential new business or by         anyone when looking at the area for plant or business location.

 PROJECTS FOR 2007

Eastman Regional Development Inc. is currently working on the following projects:
  • Highway 59 project
  • Renaming of Highway #44 as a historic highway
  • Expansion of cellular service in the Eastman region
  • Blue Danube Alpaca Fibre Mill and Research Centre
  • Working with several assisted living facilities for the Eastman region
  • Promoting and assisting the Borders to Beaches project
  • Organizing a FAM-tour of the region for 20 counties from the U.S.
  • Currently working with 17 small business startups
  • Expansion of Broadband
Several other projects are in the works and this will be a very exciting year for regional development in the Eastman area.