The Battle River Innovation Centre (BRIC) in Castor held a re-launch barbecue on May 11.
An introduction to succession planning was also held at the BRIC on May 11 prior to the barbecue; the seminar will ran from 10 a.m. until noon, then the barbecue, family activities, and an opportunity to learn about upcoming programming ran from noon until 4 p.m.
While the succession planning seminar was lightly attended, around 100 attended the free barbecue.
In addition to the barbecue, a bounce-house was set up on site for children.
The BRICs in Castor and Forestburg are operated by the Battle River Economic Opportunities Committee (BREOC), a partnership between the counties of Paintearth and Flagstaff, and the communities of Castor, Coronation, Forestburg, Halkirk, and Heisler.
BREOC formed around five years ago in response to announcements from the then provincial and federal governments that they would be transitioning away from coal as a resource for energy.
Opened in 2019, the centres provide business support services, employment services, as well as meeting and office space available for rent.
Business support services offered by the BRIC include free business coaching and consulting.
Employment services offered by the BRIC include resume building, assistance with job searches, assistance filling out Employment Insurance forms and other documents, and a variety of other services.
“Each community is committed to the success of the region, and therefore it has created a very positive and productive partnership,” wrote Amanda Simpson, manager of the Castor BRIC, in a media release.
“Although COVID presented some hurdles in some program deployment, the BRICs were still able to offer most online and virtual services as well as some programming.”
All the programming offered by the centre, aside from the group courses, is free and confidential.
The BRICs are funded jointly through BREOC, the member municipalities, and with grant funding from the Government of Alberta and the federal government through Prairies Canada.
“The purpose of the BRIC relaunch is to reinvigorate and promote the centre and the programs and services we of offer.”
