The Canadian Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship (CIRE) at Olds College

July 21, 2011

 

Members of the Olds and District Chamber of Commerce been asked to share the accompaning Q & A Fact Sheet pertaining to ‘The Canadian Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship at Olds College ” with the Olds Business Community!
 

The Canadian Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship at Olds College

Q&A Fact Sheet

Questions & Answers

What is the Canadian Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship (CIRE)?

OldsCollege is developing new curriculum in “Country Side Management”: local food production, alternative land-use management, rural hospitality management, farm-fresh food sales, and tourism. The new hotel and conference centre facilities being built on campus will enable some of this new training.

 CIRE Training will embody new curricula and programming, in addition to permeating many existing programs within our Academic Schools. A considerable amount of CIRE training will complement existing OldsCollegeprograms, and will focus on rural entrepreneurship and specialized training needs.

The CIRE will augment a strong foundation between OldsHigh School and Chinook’s Edge School Division within the Community Learning Campus (CLC) framework. The Career and Technology Studies Program in the high school curriculum has course strands in both Food and Tourism studies and such activity capitalizes on the CLC’s commitment to providing learner pathways into excellent careers.

The CIRE is aligned with the Government of Alberta’s Regional Stewardship objectives and will position Olds College globally by enhancing rural entrepreneurship and rural development.

Is Olds College getting into the hotel business?

No. The Pomeroy Group will be managing 100% of the construction, as well as theoperation of the hotel and convention centre once complete.OldsCollege is a minority investor in a Limited Partnership. The Pomeroy Group will pay OldsCollege an annual lease payment (revenue generation for the College) and, most importantly, will allow access to students on a mutually prescribed schedule. The business will be called “Pomeroy Inns & Suites at  OldsCollege.”

The 12–14 million dollar facility will include a four star hotel, restaurant and convention centre with a commercial kitchen suitable for student training. It will be built in close proximity to existing College research and production facilities.

Where will the hotel be located?

The hotel and conference centre will be constructed on five acres of land, north of Olds College’s Land Sciences Building, and south of Highway 27 and across from the Best Western and Town of Oldsadministration offices.

When will construction begin on this project?

Construction of the new hotel will commence in August 2011, with an official ceremony to mark the event and provide further information to the community in early September 2011. Facilities are expected to be open and functional in Fall 2012.

What about the orchard located on the College property?

A plan has been developed to address the orchards located on the college property. The college has set aside funds to facilitate the relocation of all healthy and specialty trees to the plot areas to the east of the adjacent tree line in a way that integrates them with the Botanic Garden Phase 3 and Engineered Wetlands.

 Our own experts atOldsCollege have assessed the health of the orchard and determined which trees will be moved and which ones will be grafted into new trees. Of the 40 trees impacted, it is anticipated that 26 will be moved in November 2011 (highest likelihood of success). Priority for the move was given to the unique trees (not duplicated on campus), as well as, the health of the trees (greatest likelihood of transplant success).

The new location has many benefits. It is located between the highway and the new 7 million dollar wetlands project. This location will increase the profile and visibility of the orchard.

This new location also has more land which will provide the College the opportunity to expand the orchard in the future if necessary. In our efforts towards sustainability and environmental consciousness, we are also able to use water from the wetlands to satiate the trees.

The plan also includes the provision to make sure the College has the appropriate management capabilities for the trees, once they have been moved to help ensure successful re-establishment. The College will also be taking cuttings to ensure that there will be scion wood for future production.

What about other college components that might be displaced by this project, like the turf plots?

The turf plots also will be located next to highway 27 south of the new orchard site. The new orchard location and the wetlands will certainly increase visibility, profile of this part of the campus.

Why is the CIRE important to Olds College & Alberta? New Learning Opportunities in Rural Alberta

CIRE will provide significant training options for rural entrepreneurs, small and medium sized enterprises and learners interested in rural development. The new hotel and conference facilities will provide a unique platform for CIRE programming. In addition, this approach has global implications andOldsCollegeis already getting inquiries regarding this project and its innovative “entrepreneurial first approach.”

Rural Economic Development

OldsCollegehas clearly demonstrated its commitment to rural economic development by the partnerships with: Regional stakeholders in the Community Learning Campus; Its principal membership in the Olds Institute for Community and Regional Development; and, Regional Stewardship in education and training via Campus Alberta Central.

Financial creativity and sustainability

 In an era of diminishing public funding, the investment returns and lease payments generated by the development will provide a strong alternative revenue stream to College operations for many years to come. The provincial government funds less than 60% of OldsCollege’s operations. Proceeds from this project will directly supplement theCollege’s budget.

Aligned with our Strategic Ends

The development of CIRE is strongly aligned with our Board and Ministry approved 2011-2014 Comprehensive Institutional Plan which has the following six outcomes:

o Accessibility

o Centre of Specialization

o Responsiveness

o Affordability

o Accountability

o Sustainability

Who do I contact for further information or questions?

Dr. Jason Dewling Vice President Academic and Research

 Direct: (403) 556-8337

 Email: jdewling@oldscollege.ca

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Olds Talks , What is it?

July 4, 2011

OldsTalks is simply a forum wherein Olds residents can in a very informal roundtable discussion format discuss items of interest. The agenda topics are determined by the participants. The second meeting of the founding participants (newbies are most welcome) will be held tomorrow evening at 7 pm in the Olds Library. Looking  forward to seeing you there and please  tell or bring a friend?

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Olds Eco-Industrial Park Feasablity Study

June 25, 2011

The Olds Institute for Community and Regional Development (OI)has been recently approved for $82,500.00 in funding  under the provincial government’s Rural Community Adaptation Program. These funds will be used to draft an eco-industrial feasability plan for the town. The terms of reference for the study are now being prepared with the expectation that the Request For Proposals from the private sector will be available in the near future. In my view this hopefuly will lead to the creation of some serviced industrial land that currently is in short supply in town.

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Olds Industrial Land Investment Highlights

July 9, 2010

Timing

The subject property( 95.8 acres) is currently considered Industrial with an area structure plan completed.  This land is ready to be developed into an Industrial Park now.

Access

 

The property is located within Olds Town limits.  Olds is one of the most forward-thinking communities in the province of Alberta.   This specific parcel of land is located on Highway 2A, 5 kms West of Highway 2 and just a few blocks South of Highway 27, making the location superb for highway access.  This corridor between Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton is expected to be one of the strongest growth areas in Alberta in the years to come.

Pricing

 

This property is priced aggressively given the fact that it is ready for development.  A Buyer can anticipate  a very positive reception from Olds in reference to this development.  In fact, we expect that the Town of Olds will more than co-operative and willing to work closely with an interested developer.  This land is being offered at just under $32,500 per acre.

Information Package:

We have created a very informative investment package that we can provide to buyers. Contact me  at 403 556 0262 or Tom Sherry at 403 689 1548.

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Just Listed 95 Acres of Bare Industial Land in Olds

July 9, 2010

We have just listed  95.8 acres of bare land in Olds for Industrial purposes. The property lies wholly with in  the East Olds Industrial Area Structure Plan. Municipal services are available to the property line at 60 St. and 48 Ave. It has visible access to Highway 2A and adjoins the existing industrial park.

Olds is a community that given its location just 45 minutes north of Calgary,  it is poised for growth.Others have seen it as the new Cornerstone development features among others: WalMart,Sobeys,Canadian Tire, Mark’s Work Wear House , Tim Hortons, Staples.

The town has recentlyannexed 900 acres of land which has resulted in new residential developments.

The new Community Economic Development Officer is now in place to support development initiatives.

The community is exploring a town wide Fibre Optic Cable Network for all businesses and residents. This implications of this connectivity is mind boggling as it further demonstrate the fact that ‘I do not know what I do not know” in regards to the potential of the Fibre Optic network  and how will enhance this industrial land opportunity.

 A bonus feature is that the parcel is located adjacent to Olds Colege with all its inherent possibilities for training, consulting, applied research , and exposure to industrial partnership opportunities.The property is also ideally suited for an Eco Industial Park , the concept for which is supported by the Olds Sustainablity Strategic Plan.

I have the recent good fortune of having partnered with Tom Sherry of CIR in Calgary to co- list  and help market this great Industrial Land Opportunity.

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Supernet

January 30, 2010

Olds Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) Project Launches

 

The Olds Institute Technology Committee has initiated the FTTP project. in Olds. With the intent of making the dream of a SuperNet connected community a reality. The FTTP is a 100% fibre –optic based communications network for local residential and business customers. Fibre-optics are very tiny strands of glass/plastic that are bundled into cables and used to transmit information coded in pulses of light. The network is proposed to be installed through out the community by burying cable in the ground and hanging cable on utility poles. It will be built past every home and business in the Town of Olds.

 The Network will provide customers with access to the triple play of voice( telephone) video/television and internet. The Networks chief advantages are  expected to be interms of improved quality of services, expanded HDTV channel offerings, and faster internet downloading and uploading for much the same cost as existing providers. The Olds Institute is currently working with a number of licensed service providers.

 At this time, the Institute has retained the services of Fiopt Communication Services which is a network planning and design and consulting firm specializing in fibre optic networks. http://oldsinstitute.com/

So what does this mean for Olds? Here is one persons opinion (mine)
Our community’s vision to be recognized as a premier centre for entrepreneurial and small business growth will be driven in a large part by technology. We have attracted major funding to create a Centre of Excellence at the Community Learning Centre (visit the Bell e-learning centre during this spring’s Olds College Open House) to get a sense of what this facility brings to our community in capacity. Next we need to embrace the concept of serving a trade area that goes well beyond our immediate municipal or trade area boundaries. Taking major steps to make connectivity a reality within our community is an investment that is both well timed and necessary if we are to transcend our “small rural market” and springboard to a richer economy that allows people to live and thrive in rural Alberta while selling and doing business with the country and world. If you would like more information on this project and others, visit the Olds Institute link provided.

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New Community Economic Development Officer for Olds

August 13, 2009

The Olds Institute for Community and Regional Development has announced the hiring of Gail Scott to be the new economic development officer. She comes to Olds with over 20 years of experience in both public and private sector regional economic development.She was most recently with Venture Kamploops as the chief executive officer.

This type of experience will be of great benefit as she will effectively be creating  her own job description which will reflect  the demands of this new position. Local and regional collaboration is a key element of the Olds Institute mission. Accordingly she is quoted as saying ‘We have to develop a model that will incorporate community and regional stakeholder partnerships…..strategic planning that will look at how we can attract and build more industry” .She also noted that the Fibre -to- the- Premises project will be a key component of drawing more business and residents to Town..

She starts work on August 17 and will have offices in the Town Office and she can be reached at 403 556 6981.

As the former Director Of Economic Development for the Town from 1988 to 1993, I can say her appointment is timely and long over due. Gail is well qualified to assist in the implementation of  the strategic mission of the Old Institute.

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Olds Approves New Residential Subdivision

May 21, 2009

Town Council has recently given approval for further planning and the first phase of construction on the “Richardson” subdivision located in a recently annexed portion of south west Olds. Phase one of the Area Structure Plan that has now been adopted which will allow for the new Catholic School and related collector roads.

In  addition  phase two calls for the development of 109 housing units. The remaining phases provide  for the staged development of approximatley  870 residential units comprising  the various densities associated with Ri,R2. and R3 zoning. This sub division  has a ten to 15 year development horizon.

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Olds Fibre to Premise Test Project

May 21, 2009

The Olds Institute for Community and Regional Development(OICRD) through its Technology Committe is proposing a test project for later this summer. The test purpose is two fold. Firstly it will allow  for the laying of  a quarter inch pipe rather than the more conventional two inch pipe. By testing the pipe  size which contains the the fibre cable the Committee can determine the technical and financial feasibility  of using the smaller pipe for the entire project.

Secondly the test also will enable the Committee to evaluate  the performance of the construction and management team that has been chosen . It will also give the Committee an accurate gauge for the entire project.

One of the underlying principles of the The Fibre to the Premise intiative is that the community will own the fibre infrastructure and that the Technology Committee will actively seek an internet service provider (ISP) that would provide broadband internet access. It is anticipated that the ISP would pay for using the fibre highway and the Committee is in negotiations with a number of providers. In addition by owning the Network the community will be in a more advantageous position to advance the Towns  economic and social amenities to the Canadian market place.

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Olds & District Marketplace and Lifestyle Show May2&3

April 27, 2009

This annual trade show is jointly hosted by the Olds Agricultural Society and the Olds & District Chamber of Commerce. It  will be held Saturday,May02  from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm as well as Sunday, May03 from 12 noon to 5:00 pm  at the Olds Sportsplex located at 5133-52 St. Olds.Ab. The admission is $4.00 per person with children five  and  under FREE.

Food and beverages will be available  on site at The Olds Kiwanis Club’s concession.  I will working  at the concession from noon to three both days so come on down and visit  me at the  Trade Fair. See you there!!

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Potential Economic Development and Real Estate Impacts of Olds FTTP Project

April 23, 2009

So what does this mean for Olds?  Here is one persons opinion (mine)

My technology motto/credo is “I do not know what I do not know” but intuitively I believe the Fiber to the Premises project (FTTP) means the potential for a huge internet play for Olds residents and businesses and has tremendous economic development potential for the town and trading area.

My reasoning is based upon five years of direct involvement through being a founding member on the Board of the Olds Institute for Community and Regional Development (OI).  The FTTP project is the brain child of the OI Technology Committee and has been championed by Joe Gustafson as chair.  The FTTP network, with its huge bandwidth and speed of uploading and downloading will provide Olds with the ability to have the triple play of voice, data and video at our door step.   It will be up to us as individuals or businesses to capitalize on it and explore “what we do not know.”

The potential economic development impacts as I see them can be seen as follows:

-  It could give Olds a leg up in terms of strategic advantage for the Town as compared to any community on Alberta’s “Highway 2 Corridor.”

-  It could gives OI the opportunity to create a technology based cluster of development (i.e Sillicon flats). The cluster could include both technolgy driven companies as well as those companies that need exposure to new technologies to enhance their productivity;

- It could provide the impetus for the development of some sort of unique incubation/commercialization entity for small and medium size business (SME’s) and supported by the development of an Angel/Venture Capital network (again the Sillicon Flats example).

- It could provide Olds with the opportunity to further capitalize on the graduates of the School of Innovation at Olds College.

Based on these concepts, the Business and Investment Attraction Committee (of OI) of which I am the chair, is currently exploring how we might promote this fiber capability based on the premises of  location, location, location and may be seen as follows

-  In terms of proximity to the Calgary Internation Airport (45 minutes away), we could prospect businessess who benefit from both technology and easy access to national and internation travel.

-  Prospecting the Corridor market from Calgary to Edmonton for the entreprenerus that can utilize the benefits of fiber connectivity.

-  Exploring how the local real estate market  could be impacted positively by this connectivity in terms of increased economic activity created by companies and indivudals moving to Olds.

 –  Opportunity for the ‘Youth’ to grow and flourish or return to Olds as residents, employees or entrepreneurs.

 According to Joe Gustafson ‘the Olds  Fiber to the Home (FTTH)project will provide a future-proof telecom infrastructure so Olds residents can obtain the latest Small Office/Home Office and entertainment services and the fastest residential and business Internet service in Canada. The network will be designed to accommodate more than one voice, data and entertainment service provider. A study of the US FTTH market found the average homeowner sees FTTH being worth an additional $4000-$7000 (US) per home in the future resale value of a home.”

-  In my view the FTTP can become our ‘economic oyster” as its benefits will contribute to our quality of life.  This means that living in a small town does not automatically disqualify any one from the latest of technology but perhaps in fact give access to the leading edge, rather than ‘sucking the hind tit  (translation availabe for those of non-agricultural background) which has historically been our fate.

-  Opportunity for the ‘Youth’ to grow and flourish or return to Olds as residents, employees or entrepreneurs.

I may be dreaming but I believe this will be Olds’ opportunity to leap forward.

These are just of my opinions.

Your thoughts and ideas are welcome.

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Posted by ghbodmer

Olds AB Fiber To The Premises (FTTP) Project Launches

April 22, 2009

The Olds Institute for Community and Regional Development,  through its Technology Committee, has initiated the FTTP project in Olds,  with the intent of making the dream of a SuperNet connected community a reality.  The FTTP is a 100% fibre-optic based communications network for local residential and business customers.  Fiber-optics are very tiny strands of glass/plastic that are bundled into cables and used to transmit information coded in pulses of light.  The network is proposed to be installed throughout the community by burying cable in the ground and hanging cable on utility poles.  It will be built past every home and business in the Town of Olds.

The Network willl provide customers with access to the triple play of voice (telephone) video/television and internet.  The Networks chief advantages are expected to be in terms of improved quality of services, expanded HDTV channel offwerings and faster internet downloading and uploading for much the same cost as existing providers.  The Technolgy Committee is currently working with a number of licensed internet service providers.

At this time, the Institute has retained the services of FIOPT Communication Services which is a network planning and design and consulting firm specializing in fibre optic networks to design the Olds Network.  “The FIOPT contract will provide the Committee with accurate numbers on the total meters of conduit and fiber required for the network, plus details on the actual number of single family residences, multi family facilities and businessess, both store front and home based operations,” states Chairman Joe Gustafson.  “This will allow us to move quickly to obtaining firm quotations for the actual installation work, hopefully commencing later this spring.”  For further information see http://www.oldsinstitute.com/tech.html

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