WBEDC Announces the Formation of a Business Recovery Task Force

The Task Force will research and recommend programs and supports to inform a Business Recovery Plan (the Plan) to be implemented immediately following the lifting of the last local or provincial health order.

“We recognize now is the time to start planning for business recovery to be ready to act when restrictions are lifted,” says Kevin Weidlich, President & CEO of the WBEDC. “The only successful way through any crisis is with strong collaboration and mutual support; we all need to work together in order to safeguard our region’s economy post-pandemic.”

The Task Force is comprised of a main committee that will lead sub-committees for the most impacted sectors in our region. The Task Force will be supported by the staff of WBEDC and RMWB administration. The main committee Task Force committee members are as follows:

Alethea Austin, Achieve Wellness 
Chris Seggewiss, Royal Bank of Canada 
Jane Stroud, RMWB Council 
Karim Zariffa, Oil Sands Community Alliance 
Keith Plowman, Fort McMurray Construction Association 
Kevin Weidlich, WBEDC (Chair) 
Kim Rizzi, Wood Buffalo 2022 Arctic Winter Games 
Kristi Hines, Hines Health Services 
Michelle Toner, Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association 
Mike Lambert, East Village Pub 
Nick Sanders, Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce 
Paul Jones, Fort McMurray Hotels Association 
RJ Steenstra, Fort McMurray Airport Authority 
Verna Murphy, RMWB Council

“The Task Force committees are crucial platforms for our region’s business community to voice what supports are most needed and help plan for business recovery at the end of this disruption,” says Weidlich.

The first Business Recovery Task Force meeting will take place on April 8, 2020.