Sandy Santori, the executive director of the Lower Columbia Initiative Corporation (LCI) will be at the Prestige on May 26 at 7 p.m. to discuss his work on the region's economic development, with a focus on Rossland.
"We wanted to bring Sandy up to speak directly to Rosslanders about what he's trying to do in the region," said Bob Reardon, chair of the economic development task force and a sustainability commission board member who co-organized the event with Renee Clark of the chamber of commerce.
"He'll talk about what he's up to, what he can bring, and what he'd like to involved in. And we want to get him better involved in Rossland issues," Reardon said.
Reardon and Clark hope for a good turnout of business people, but also "anyone with ideas for economic development in town."
The sustainability commission, for example, is preparing their "ideas, thoughts, or wishlists for economic development," to forward to Santori.
Reardon hopes the evening will also help people "to get to know Sandy. He's been around a long time and involved in a lot — the former Trail mayor, former minister in Victoria, a provincial member of parliament."
The LCI was formed in 2010, funded by the region's five municipalities and electoral areas A and B with the mandate to lead the way in areas that are deemed economic drivers, supporting new and expanding businesses.
The LCI does not yet have active projects in the Rossland area, but is involved in several Trail initiatives including work on the airport, work with Teck on finding new markets for byproducts, and considering the potential for a museum in Trail.
Clark and Reardon invite attendees to bring their ideas and questions.
Coffee, tea, and snacks will be provided, so please RSVP to Clark at renee@rossland.com.