The Southeast Sask Economic Partnership (SSEP) is proud to announce that it has been officially incorporated as a not-for-profit regional economic partnership. SSEP is dedicated to supporting southeastern Saskatchewan rural communities and families directly affected by the federal coal-transition plan. Our strategic focus on building regional investment attraction through successful partnerships is strengthening the regional economy, creating business opportunities, and building a sustainable region for future generations.
Since our start in 2020, SSEP has successfully applied for several municipal infrastructure projects through federal funding, including the Airport Road Paving project and the Kensington Bypass Upgrade, all totalling about $8.2 million. We are also responsible for spearheading the Municipal Coal Transition Assistance Program (MCTAP) application and review process with the City of Estevan. MCTAP is a grant developed by the Province of Saskatchewan to support communities and businesses while they transition from coal-based industries to other economic possibilities. Anyone interested in more information or how to apply can visit www.ssep.ca/funding for full details.
Currently, we are leading several high-impact regional initiatives including the feasibility study of a full-service marina and commercial development along Rafferty Lake; the feasibility of developing a Roche Percée Regional Park and amenity-rich campground around the La Roche Percée Provincial Historic Site; and drafting a strategic plan to accelerate the development of agricultural irrigation to support local producers and attract value-added food manufacturers.
Why focus on irrigation? According to Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association (SIPA), irrigation in Saskatchewan is a “sleeping mega-project” – and we agree! The incredible benefits of agricultural irrigation are well-known. SIPA research shows that irrigation can provide an agricultural return of between $8 and $10 for every dollar invested in irrigation supply and equipment. Further, irrigated crop yields are consistently higher than dryland yields, with some suggesting that could mean an additional $270 income per acre (SIPA, Time to Irrigate!, 2008). Irrigated land also means improved forage yields which benefits animal producers and opens the door to higher and more sustainable crop yields and the potential for new crops. These benefits improve our regional attractiveness to value-added food manufacturers and processors. Irrigation also means opportunities for the creation of new local businesses and skilled jobs needed to install and maintain the infrastructure. Water Security is conducting an irrigation study for our region to determine the feasibility of irrigation development, and it is expected to be complete by fall 2022.
We want you to bring your expertise and experience to this project and help build this exiting next step in the future of South Saskatchewan’s agricultural industry! If you are in the SSEP region and want to get involved with the SSEP Irrigation Working Group, contact Tim Keating, SSEP Regional Economic Development Director, by phone (306-634-2224) or email (info@ssep.ca). Pending the Water Security report, the mandate of this regional working group will be to drive the early-stage investigation and support for irrigation opportunities around Rafferty by working with Water Security and local producers to establish potential agricultural irrigation milestones and an action plan.
If your community would like to get involved or know more about SSEP, our other projects and initiatives, email info@ssep.ca or call 306-634-2224. To stay up to date, follow us on Twitter @SSEPinfo. Visit ssep.ca to learn more!
The Southeast Sask Economic Partnership is working with the RMs of Estevan and Coalfields and the Town of Bienfait to bring new ecomonic opportunties to our region.
