Who Is SSEP?

Southeast Sask Economic Partnership

Value added Agricultural Processing

Logistics & Distribution Hub

Water for Economic Development

Destination Tourism

Resource Innovation

Municipal Infrastructure for Economic Development

SSEP is a partnership of two Rural Municipalities and one Town in southeastern Saskatchewan. Each member offers diverse investment opportunities to start, grow or expand your business. As a region, we offer the strength of combined knowledge, land, transportation logistics, low business costs, a skilled workforce and abundant natural resources. 

Explore what each community has to offer. We are here to assist you every step of the way of your decision making. 

Why?

As part of a global shift in thinking about how we utilize our natural resources and the effect that has on our planet, the Government of Canada recently announced The Canada Coal Transition Initiative.

This initiative identifies two coal-fired electricity generation plants in the region, both of which are significant employers in the area. When the announcement was made, the residents of southeast Saskatchewan realized this decision was going to have an enormous impact. The lost jobs and subsequent ripple-effect of further job losses will have a dramatic influence on the socio-economic health of the region.

To avoid that outcome, or at least mitigate the damage, the RM of Coalfields No. 4, the RM of Estevan No. 5 and the Town of Bienfait established a collaborative partnership: the Southeast SaskEconomic Partnership (SSEP). This partnership is strategically planning for a vibrant and sustainable future.

The process began with an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the region. While there are challenges, such as imposed and tight timeline for the coal transition, there are abundant advantages in the region that can be explored and utilized in new ways. For example, a rich local history that lends itself to tourism; sustainable and renewable energy possibilities in a region known for endless sunny days; new uses for abundant resources such as lignite;

clean water resources at Boundary and Rafferty Dams that open the door to irrigation and manufacturing opportunities; a young, educated and motivated workforce; land available for development; and developed land ready for new business.

Through this exploration, six pillars were identified as strong options for development:

  • Value-added Agricultural Processing
  • Logistics & Distribution Hub
  • Water for Economic Development
  • Destination Tourism
  • Resource Innovation
  • Municipal Infrastructure for Economic Development

These pillars have the potential to dramatically impact the future of this region.

Further, economic development strategies have the capacity to impact more than one pillar. For example, developing an irrigation system as part of the Water for Economic Development pillar, could influence the choice of crops grown and support Value-added Agricultural Processing.

SSEP will chart a Next-Gen Rural path by developing strategies that build on each of the six pillars defined in the Economic Development Plan. Throughout this process, they will remember lessons from the past, recognise opportunity in the present and build for the future.

our three
founding
members