Only a month into a new mandate, Emerson-Franklin council is taking action on one of its election priorities; growing the local economy.

Council organized two input sessions on the subject this month in an effort to gather ideas from the public on how best to rejuvenate the municipality.

Reeve Dave Carlson said they received some quality suggestions from ratepayers at the meetings they held in Rosa and Emerson.

David Carlson

"Internet and communications was very important, as well as creating jobs in the area. Those were two themes that really scored high and were mentioned by most people. I think everyone, whether you live in the eastern half of the municipality or the western half, know that we have amenities to support and that support comes with having a population."

Carlson says the topic of tourism was raised several times with some suggestions on how best to promote what the municipality has to offer.

"It was a topic that seemed to come up quite a bit. We have the Roseau River that winds its way from east to west ... and there's a lot of opportunity for development. There are rapids up on the ridge and a bit of a gorge, we've got the swinging bridge at Senkiw, there's Roseau River Park, and the Crow Wing Trail. We'd definitely like to leverage those opportunities wherever we can and it seems like the residents agree with that."

The number of people who turned out for both meetings was less than what municipal officials were hoping for, but Carlson says ratepayers who were not able to attend can also provide their input by logging on to the municipality's website and filling out an online survey.

The information gathered at the input sessions and through the online survey will be used in identifying ideas and actions that will be spearheaded by a new Community Economic Development Corporation, which the municipality is in the process of creating.

"People will be nominated to sit on that (CDC) board to help push an economic strategy, and we're looking at elections to that board on December 4, at the municipal office where council will be voting on the nominees," said Carlson.

Carlson said they are looking for people with some energy and perspective, who represent a broad range of interests from farming, business and volunteering to arts and culture.

"We just want to draw on the expertise of people who work and live in our community to try and drive an economic agenda forward."

According to Carlson, the CDC is part of the municipality's efforts to pursue a braver path for their communities to attract people into the area, while retaining the people that already call Emerson-Franklin their home.