There’s a new face to economic development in Okotoks. Angela Groeneveld, who has been an entrepreneur and advocate for business in the Foothills for more than 20 years, began a new role on Dec. 3 as the Town of Okotoks’ new economic development manager. “It was an opportunity that came up that I could never pass, I would never pass up the chance to serve this business community,” said Groeneveld. “I’m also really excited to work in the backyard where my kids are involved in this community.” Over the past six years, Groeneveld has done a lot of travelling as she’s worked with business communities in High River, Grand Forks, B.C., Fort McMurray and Puerto Rico as they recovered from disasters. Throughout her work one question always stood out for her – why does it take a disaster to make a business community get strong and for owners to support one another? “I want to take all those tools and all those lessons I’ve learned over the last six years of serving the business communities and expediting them to get back up for growth and bring that to Okotoks,” said Groeneveld. After guiding businesses through disaster recovery, she said she understands the roles of everyone involved – the government, economic development and the entrepreneur. “It’s so easy to just point fingers at each other of who’s leading, who’s in charge, and who’s responsibility it is,” she said. “But if you just sit down and have a dialogue and make a business plan, that’s what makes a strong business community.” In addition to that experience, Groeneveld said she has owned small businesses in different provinces across Canada for 25 years, so she understands what entrepreneurs go through and what site selectors are looking for when setting up a business. As president-elect for Business Retention and Expansion International, she has also gained valuable knowledge in how to grow business communities through retention and expansion by way of different projects and initiatives happening worldwide. “I’m excited to bring those and execute them here,” said Groeneveld. She said she’s looking forward to hitting the ground running and seeing through Okotoks council’s economic development priorities as outlined in its 2018-2021 strategic plan. With her goals already in place and groundwork laid with the Town’s economic development strategic plan adopted in 2015, Groeneveld said she’s ready to start building on existing business. “Make it easy for these guys to start a business, to grow their business, to expand their business,” she said. “Let’s tighten the process up for them, let’s educate them on that process, and let’s communicate to them, let’s build a team that can support them.” She said it’s important to make sure in-house processes are cleaned up before hitting the ground with investment attraction – not that she plans to stop looking for new industry in the meantime. It’s refreshing to see economic development be a priority for the Town, she said. In other communities she’s worked, it hasn’t been thought of with the same regard. “When it’s the second priority listed in a strategic plan, you’ve got to deliver,” said Groeneveld. “I rarely see that in other communities, so I’m pretty excited. “When you have the support of council and the support of stakeholders, and the culture in this organization supporting economic development the way they are it’s huge.” Her new position was announced at the Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce Christmas Social and Groeneveld was overwhelmed by the positive reception she received. She was nervous ahead of the announcement, but said she’s encouraged by the support and that she’s looking forward to working with a strong chamber. “There’s supposed to be healthy friction between a chamber and a local government,” said Groeneveld. “We have the ‘Red Carpet not Red Tape’ survey coming from them, which is wonderful. For me to be successful I need to hear it from them.” Jayme Hall, Chamber of Commerce executive director, said he’s excited to work with someone who seems to be on the side of businesses trying to set up or expand here in Okotoks. “She seems to have a really good grasp on what economic development should be, and I’m really excited to see her implement some of those things in town,” said Hall. “I think it really works in our favour. “Overall we’re really excited about Angela. She’s got some high expectations and I’m just excited to see her continue to fulfill them. I think she’ll do great.”
