Community Futures Greenstone’s general manager, Becky Cianflone, is up for the Economic Developers Association of Manitoba’s (EDAM) Award of Distinction.
The award recognizes economic development practitioners with more than five years in the industry, that have made a significant contribution in the field of economic development and have had outstanding careers.
“EDAM last year started to include awards as part of our semi-annual forum,” said Vern May, communications chair for EDAM.
“The idea is that in most cases the work of the economic developer is in the background. When they get a win, they typically don’t get to put a name on it, because that’s council’s victory. There are people across the province doing incredible work, and we want to recognize them.”
Aside from Cianflone’s day job managing Community Futures Greenstone, she is also part of the Look North steering committee, the Northern Manitoba Tourism Advisory Committee, and a member of the governing council for University College of the North (UCN).
Cianflone said she believes her work at Community Futures contributes to a larger picture when it comes to economic development.
“Supporting entrepreneurs and trying to get young people interested in economic development pays dividends down the road in a broader sense,” said Cianflone.
Her work on various other organizations contributes to the economic development of the region as well. Of the Northern Manitoba Tourism Advisory Committee, she said, “We see tourism as becoming a big economic driver in northern Manitoba, behind the resource sector, of course. We think there are a lot of opportunities for tourism to be a driver in revenue.”
While Cianflone said her work with UCN is not obvious economic development work, people understand that it is important to invest in human capital in the north.
“Connecting people with education opportunities and then helping them transition into the workforce is a key piece for economic growth in the north, especially when it comes to our indigenous community and helping them engage in economic opportunities.”
Cianflone is up against Liza Park, economic development manager for Virden, Lana Cowling-Mason of Community Futures East-Interlake, and Edward Suzuki of Economic Development Winnipeg.
“I hold EDAM in very high regard,” said Cianflone.
“It has given me a lot of opportunity and an incredible network, and just to be in the company of some of the other people that have been nominated is really humbling to me. Those are people that have done incredible work in their communities as well. I think supporting EDAM is so important, and I love being a member of that organization.”
The Regional Economic Development Committee for Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach is up for another EDAM honour, the Project of the Year award.
The award winners will be announced at EDAM’s fall forum on Nov. 8.
