Prince George, B.C. - The 16/97 Economic Alliance will have to wait a while before finding out if it will get a new contract and $20 thousand from the Regional District of Fraser Fort George.

 

The Alliance has worked over the past couple of years developing and  putting to work, regional economic cluster plans directed at increasing jobs and investment through the diversification of the economy. The Alliance has done extensive work in identifying nine industry clusters such as tourism, resource technology and mining.

 

While the previous contract was for $50 thousand a year for two years, the new deal requested $20 thousand for one year. 

 

irector Dan Rogers says before he agrees to spending more money in today’s economic climate, he wants to see a detailing of what will be delivered. He also says there seems to be a duplication of efforts with the Beetle Action Coalitions which seem to be doing similar work “Certainly there has been a growth in the ‘economic development profession’, it seems to be a good business to be in,” says Rogers “ but when I have had to ask City of Prince George Staff to find nearly a million dollars in savings, I think we need to take a closer look at how we are spending our dollars.”

 

The Regional District will start its strategic planning session tomorrow, and will look at how working with the Alliance might fit within that strategic plan. The Alliance itself has a meeting set for early May.

 

The Regional District has opted to put this matter over to its next meeting which is scheduled for May 21^st.