Drayton Valley is partnering with the University of Alberta once more; this time in an effort to study economic growth.
On August 4, it was announced that Drayton Valley, EndPovertyEdmonton and the university were awarded a research grant from the Social Sciences and Humanity Research Council of Canada. The grant is for $285,506 and is meant to help study the different economic development approaches in Drayton Valley and Edmonton over the next three years.
“We have partnered with the University of Alberta initially to improve our programming needs here for our community and with that we have been fortunate enough to be the recipient of two grants and this is the second one,” says Nancy Dodds, town councillor.
The study will look at the unique challenges and triumphs of both rural and urban economic development and will inform future policies and practices to create inclusive economic development.
“While there are certainly structural differences between Edmonton and Drayton Valley, the lessons from each community should be mutually reinforcing and ultimately make our collective work better,” said EPE Executive Director Erick Ambtman. “Drayton Valley’s economic transition, resilience in the face of ongoing challenges, and their ability to address these challenges with initiatives like the Zero-Fee tuition program and other strategies is of particular interest as we think about the future of our inclusive economy work at EndPovertyEdmonton.”
In Drayton Valley the study will focus on the Town’s zero fee tuition initiative and how it contributes to opportunities for Drayton Valley residents and supports the local economy.
“We are really excited to be partnering with the University of Alberta. Not only have we enhanced our access to programming for our community and we are just excited to have them as a partner at the table but to be part of a second grant together is just really such an amazing opportunity for our community,” says Dodds.
