ELK POINT – With planning for the 2025 Communities in Bloom competition and the second annual Elk Point 60K Ultra well in hand, Elk Point Economic Development Committee (EDC) moved discussions of banners and portfolios for new members to the back burner. Instead, they heard a presentation by Natalie Maas that offered new ways to grow not only Elk Point’s business community but the community as a whole.
Maas had made the same presentation to Elk Point Town Council in early January, she told the EDC, after moving back to her home town from Calgary where she has been employed in marketing for 14 years. She brings “a lot of passion and ideas," said Maas.
Council had approved her preliminary proposal, she said, that proposal including the implementation of data centres to attract those working remotely while living in a rural community setting.
Many people are now working from home, she noted, with distance from their workplaces not a barrier, and “There is a mass exodus of people my age looking for balance in their lives” between work and their personal lives.
“I’m the living proof of that.” Elk Point, “Is that kind of destination for tourism and for living,” she said, with the benefit of available affordable housing.
“We can build on the remote work aspect with a friendly atmosphere and technology hubs, and engage with other remote work communities. Elk Point has high natural and cultural appeal - so much that’s special.”
EDC member Donna Hodgkinson recalled hearing of “A huge initiative a few years ago to bring people back. That’s a positive too.”
The influx of newcomers would support local businesses and entrepreneurs, Maas said, adding that she had approached the businesses regarding her proposal, “And they want information about the project.”
Along with information hubs, she feels there is a need for community gathering spaces for relaxation and conversation. Work on one of these, which will also serve as a communication hub with strong Wi-Fi service, is already underway, with a many-featured coffee corner being added in the Knotty Boyz location, and plans to add outdoor tables and possibly art displays later this year.
“The coffee shop is our first step.”
Maas proposed a pilot project of attracting 10 remote workers in 2026, and asked if the EDC would consider donating $5,000 toward the project, “and some volunteers,” to cover creation of a website and a digital campaign, forming a welcoming committee and working on a business development plan.
Along with the business aspect, she feels Elk Point will “Attract people on a deeper level, people are depressed, feeling like they can’t get their heads above water in their city environment. It’s not just because I was born and raised here that I think it’s the perfect spot, I think we would be very attractive to those who live in cities.”
Following a review of the EDC’s budget, and after advising Maas to “lean on Penny Fox of Community Futures and Linda Sallstrom of STEP to help,” the EDC's past president Terri Hampson asked, “Are we going to have the support of the current council and administration? I hope the red tape isn’t overwhelming if we embark on this project. There are things we could provide them with to help with that.”
The EDC passed a motion to help start off the pilot project, with the donation of $5,000, given in instalments as needed.
