The communities of Rhineland, Plum Coulee, Gretna and Altona (RPGA) continue to thrive, according to the local development group, SEED. 2020 marked the second full year of operation for the organization that launched in 2018.
As economic development officer, Stephanie Harris explained, the first year was about laying the groundwork that would later frame the group's priorities. As a result, she says the board was able to get boots on the ground in that second year and start working towards meeting some of its goals. 
According to an annual review for the past year, the RPGA region registered more than $28.3 million in commercial, residential and farm development in 2020.
"I was very excited to see that figure, of course," said Harris. "It really shows that despite there being some uncertainties around this last year, there were still businesses and residential farms that saw the potential in our region and had a reason to invest."
In addition, the organization reports a series of its initiatives designed to foster growth and development also saw progress this past year.
This includes the Town of Altona and Municipality of Rhineland’s Commercial and Industrial Growth Tax Incentive Program, which rebated $43,269.07 back to area businesses. The program provides an incentive for businesses who are building a new commercial or industrial building, or a substantial building addition or expansion with a tax rebate of 100% of the municipal taxes for the first three years of operation.
"We are anticipating seeing that number growing in 2021," added Harris.
As well, there was a significant uptake in SEED's business grant program, which was established to encourage business development and provide incentives for new business start-ups, expansions, and the purchase of existing businesses within the RPGA region. In total, $91,850 in funding was awarded to businesses in 2020 that either created new jobs locally, added a new service to the area and/or was able to acquire equipment to grow their operations.
2020 also marked the first full year that SEED administered the Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot.
The organization reports through the program, local businesses provided 19 job offers to skilled foreign nationals and as a result, the community welcomed 4 of the new employees and their families this past year with a fifth anticipated to arrive February 1st, added Harris.
Additionally, the Immigration Pilot has stirred up a lot of interest from outside developers and entrepreneurs looking at the RPGA region as a growing community with opportunities for investment, according to SEED.
"So that's really exciting to see the pilot grow our local economy as well," said Harris.
Meantime, SEED implemented an emergency plan to help local businesses with COVID-19 recovery efforts and aid local entrepreneurs in returning to business in a sustainable and safe manner.
In addition to these initiatives, SEED participated in over 90 meetings with new and existing entrepreneurs, leading to 70 connections being made and 17 new opportunities created. Those opportunities include business startups, expansions, mentorships, and funding.
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