A plan for Dauphin's growth was laid out yesterday at the State Of the City.
Over lunch, both the City of Dauphin and The Parkland Chamber Of Commerce made presentations on how they're planning to guide the city's expansion.
Stephen Chychota of the Chamber highlighted the Dauphin and District Community Foundation, which contributed nearly $75,000 to local organizations, including The Almost New store, Dauphin & District Handi-van, the Food for Thought Program, and several recreational facilities.
Mayor David Bosiak spoke on several key items that he believes are crucial to the growth of the city, and broke them down into 6 pillars:
- Community & Innovation
- Climate Action & Leadership
- Housing & Neighborhoods
- Truth & Reconciliation
- Public Health & Wellbeing
- And Local Tourism
Before diving into all of these points, Bosiak brought up the financial situation of the town coffers.
He noted the city is in a perfect situation to make some big moves, as the financial reserves are well stocked, and the city's debt is nearly non-existent.
Bosiak was very thankful for the groundwork laid by his predecessors that will allow him and his council to make the big positive changes he's got planned.
"It's that combination of preparation, planning, and the ability to strike while the iron is hot, and I think we're there."
As the presentation progressed, Mayor Bosiak spoke on the new businesses in Dauphin that will begin ramping up, and how the Provincial Nominee Program will help.
"The interesting challenge that we have is we don't have a large industry like Steinbach or Winkler, that needs 50 of a certain kind of worker. We've had to take a more strategic approach and work with the farmer that needs 1 or 2 workers, or other industries that need the 1 or 2 specific skill sets."
There were a lot of talks focused on developing infrastructure, both in new housing developments and ecologically friendly means to power them. Developments in low-income housing have already made 3 domiciles for people to live in, and the Dauphin and District Community Foundation is looking to keep making that number rise.
The importance of community was not understated, as Bosiak also spoke on the importance of developing the city's relationships with its neighbors in the Parkland area. He referenced the recent land signing between Dauphin, Ebb And Flow, and Pinecreek as a prime example of steps towards strengthening these bonds.
Tourism was another hot topic, as the many festivals in the area create a lot of revenue for the town. There was discussion on expanding outside of these festivals, and Bosiak presented a promotional video for Dauphin tourism entitled "Dauphin: Adventure From Here On Out". It showcased the many natural areas, trails, campsites, and experiences one can find around Dauphin and the area.
The Address wrapped up on the themes of coming together as a community and making Dauphin a place that isn't just a place to live in, but a place to experience.
