UNews - ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Economics

Cross border connection

trevor.kenney — Wed, 18 May 2011 17:22:54 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Economics instructor/researcher Donna Townley spent a recent weekend in Montana doing some cross border teaching that she hopes will help the regional economy in the Flathead Valley.

Townley was outlining the benefits of improving and increasing relationships with Canadian visitors and their neighbours. The Flathead Valley is an area frequented by Canadian visitors, and encompasses Whitefish, Kalispell and other communities.

Economics instructor Donna Townley is helping the Flathead Valley region of Montana understand the benefits of Canadian tourism.

Working in partnership with the Montana West Economic Development Group and the Kalispell and Whitefish Convention and Visitors Bureaus, they produced a seminar for the regional business community that explained the Canadian economy, the purchasing power of the Canadian dollar and her research-based discoveries of who visits the Flathead Valley and why.

While it may be common knowledge that there are a lot of Canadian visitors and residents in the area, the actual definition of 'a lot' is a surprise to many. Townley says that increased awareness of the impact that Canadians have on the regional economy should help businesses better serve Canadian visitors.

"The people who attended understood much better that there is a market in southern Alberta for the Montana experience, and they want to build a bridge, not close the gate," says Townley.

She adds that the seminar gave attendees a better understanding of the Canadian point of view, and the economic impact of how Canadians can help their local economy.

"Increasing or even securing Canadian tourism into the Flathead Valley will strengthen the Valley's economy," she says. "I was very pleased to have the support of the Glacier Bank and their people, who talked about Canadian currency. As well, there was a lot of interest in changing credit card machines to take Canadian debit cards, as well as other measures."

Townley says the debit card shift would be of significant benefit, since a recent survey conducted by VISA indicated that more than 65 per cent of Canadians – who are already among the world's highest users of debit cards – would want to use their debit cards south of the border.

She adds that her presentation was a combination sales pitch and crash course in first-year macroeconomics, all the while outlining some big picture reasons why Montana is of continued interest to Canadians. Providing a basic understanding of what influences the value of the Canadian dollar, as well as the Canadian economy, also went a long way with those who attended the event.

"I used prices for everyday items such as pizza, beer, groceries, a tank of gasoline and other typical things Canadians might purchase to illustrate that, even when the value of the Canadian dollar falls to the US dollar (or lower) Canadians will still travel to the Valley, because prices are generally 20 per cent higher in Canada for the majority of items," says Townley.

"The ultimate purpose was to inform local business owners about Canadians so they will be able to continue building strong relationships across the border and provide the best customer service possible."

More than 130 people attended the seminar at Flathead Valley Community College. Guests included business owners from Montana and Alberta, local and regional government representatives, and interested citizens. Townley says she is still getting e-mail questions and comments from guests.

"We hoped to identify those businesses looking for opportunities for Valley-wide cooperation to attract Canadians to the area for entertainment, shopping, recreation, home purchase and business investment," says Kim Morisaki, manager of Client Development and Resources, Montana West Economic Development. "We have heard only great reviews and everyone loved her presentation."

This story first appeared in the Legend. For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Townley asks if Montana is open for business

trevor.kenney — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:10:13 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Economics instructor/researcher Donna Townley is working in partnership with the Montana West Economic Development group and the Kalispell and Whitefish Convention and Visitors Bureaus to produce a seminar for Flathead Valley businesses interested in improving and increasing relationships with Canadian visitors and neighbors.

At a free morning-long seminar on Friday, Apr. 29 at Kalispell's Flathead Valley Community College, Townley will give a snapshot of the Canadian economy, the purchasing power of the Canadian dollar and her research-based explanation of who visits the Flathead Valley and why.

While it may be common knowledge that there are a lot of Canadian visitors and residents in the area, the actual definition of 'a lot' will surprise many, and hopefully lead to an increased awareness of the impact that Canadians have on the regional economy.

"The ultimate purpose is to provide local business owners information about Canadians that they will be able to use to continue building strong relationships across the border and provide the best customer service possible," Townley says.

The seminar is sponsored by Glacier Bank and will cover the Canadian economy, currency exchange, international credit and debit cards, marketing, advertising, Canadian holidays and border regulations.

Of special interest is a short presentation on technology that allows businesses to track Canadian sales, as well as a panel discussion by local business owners who will discuss their current activities to build customer relations.

Local financial organizations will also be available to answer questions about banking and credit card practices and how to overcome obstacles.

"We hope to identify those businesses looking for opportunities for Valley-wide cooperation to attract Canadians to the area for entertainment, shopping, recreation, home purchase and business investment," adds Kim Morisaki, manager of Client Development and Resources, Montana West Economic Development.

Among other activities, Flathead Living and Lethbridge Living Magazine have come to an agreement to distribute one another's publications in the other's city.

A number of copies of Flathead Living will be available to a targeted market in Lethbridge, while Lethbridge Living magazine will also be available in the Flathead Valley area over the summer.

U of L researchers to present report

trevor.kenney — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:05:17 +0000

Water is the lifeblood of agriculture in southern Alberta and learning how to best manage water is key to sustaining the industry.

A group of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Economics researchers have prepared an in-depth report on water issues for the members and stakeholders of the SouthGrow Regional Initiative to help support the economic well being of the area.

"Water is a vital resource and it impacts greatly on the economic health and the quality of life of this region considerably," said Sandra Nelson, a Stirling, Alta resident and the Chair of SouthGrow.

"This report provides our members with insight into the current state activities surrounding the issues of sound water management. It also identifies and provides recommendations about the role SouthGrow could play in ensuring a sustainable water supply for investment, economic development and the long term vision of this region."

The report, entitled "Water for Economic Development in the SouthGrow Region of Alberta" was prepared by Research Associate Lorraine Nicol, Dr. Henning Bjornlund and Dr. Kurt Klein. It highlights unique opportunities as well as significant challenges to managing water issues now, and in the future.

The researchers will release and discuss the report in Lethbridge at an information session hosted by SouthGrow that takes place Thursday, Mar. 19, beginning at 11 a.m. at the Lethbridge Lodge Hotel and Conference Centre, 320 Scenic Drive S.

The event includes a presentation by the researchers and a moderated discussion period for stakeholders.

There are several important constraints to water availability in southern Alberta. The first (and most important) is the restriction on the issuing of new water licenses within the two river basins.

Second, certain procedures impede the operation of water markets.

Third, there are potential long-run negative effects on water supply from such factors as climate change.

Fourth, several policy and legislative uncertainties remain, including how implementation of the Water for Life strategy will unfold, especially with the possibility of implementation of economic instruments; whether, given the recent announcement of the review of the water allocation system, that system will remain intact; whether the watershed planning and advisory councils will be able to achieve their objectives; and the outcome of the International Joint Commission response on apportionment of flows of the St. Mary and Milk Rivers between Canada and the United States.

Finally, as water becomes more scarce and valuable in Alberta, a cultural and political divide seems to be intensifying between urban, agricultural and conservation interests in Alberta that recently were manifested in an outcry over amendments to irrigation district licenses and the sale of an irrigation water license to an urban development.

These topics are likely to invoke a lively discussion. All are invited to attend.

UNews - ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Economics

Cross border connection

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UNews - ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Economics