The formation of two regional economic groups was recently announced, along with the Town of Virden’s funding commitments for these groups.
The Westman Opportunities Leadership Group (WOLG) has been formed to facilitate a feasibility study for a large scale soybean processing plant.
At the Town of Virden council meeting, Feb 14, Councillor Joe Carème explained, “We had a meeting the other night with some local municipalities, and a couple of recruiters.”
The formation of WOLG means a regional approach and a unified voice to attract the soybean industry to the area.
Carème pointed out that funding is more readily obtained when it benefits a large group.
The group is also prepared to be patient, in what Carème said could be a two-year process.
“I feel, personally, it’s a way that we can start working together. As a group we can all benefit.”
On that basis, Carème made the motion for the Town of Virden’s contribution of $6,250 to WOLG - currently Virden’s share of a $25,000 fund for the feasibility study.
Whether further funding will be needed is not currently known.
The motion passed without questions.
Mayor Jeff McConnell explained the partnership.
“For information, the other communities involved are the RMs of Wallace-Woodworth, Pipestone, and Sifton.”
Another entity has also been named.
This group is named after a former planning district - Dennis County. The Dennis County Regional Partnership would, again, include Town of Virden, RMs of Wallace-Woodworth, Sifton and Pipestone.
EDM Ed Brethour explained this partnership would include an investment strategy for the region, with the final terms of reference still being developed.
Councillor Joe Carème and Mayor McConnell will represent the Town of Virden in this group.
McConnell explained the four entities plan to work together to attract investment.
“What we’re looking to do is create an atmosphere where we work together, to sell our region to potential developers.”
WOLG is a concrete example of what the Dennis County group hopes to attract.
“With the WOLG opportunity...we’re trying to use it as a go-forward model on the partnership.”
An initial investment by Town of Virden, to be matched by the other three municipalities, is $18,000. The money is to assist in developing the partnership.
