Bruderheim becomes member of AIHA

Home > Bruderheim becomes member of AIHA

August 4th, 2011   The Town of Bruderheim recently became Alberta's Industrial Heartland Association's (AIHA) newest Associate Member. As such, the Town will not have voting rights, but will now have a presence at AIHA meetings, opportunities to share information with regional partners, and a voice on matters related to industry in the region. "On behalf of the Town of Bruderheim, I am very thankful that our community has been granted Associate Member status in AIHA," says Bruderheim Mayor Karl Hauch. "This is very important to our community, as we are now at the table with our neighbors, giving our community's needs a voice at this level."

The Association, created in 1998, is a cooperative of five municipalities dedicated to sustainable eco-industrial development. It focuses on planning for the area's use while maximizing attractiveness and efficient industrial development, promoting open communication and coordinating environmental quality and sustainability standards (www.industrialheartland.com).

The Association recognized that the Town of Bruderheim is in close proximity to industrial zoning, noting the potential for significant impacts. "It seemed like a natural fit," says Neil Shelly, Executive Director of AIHA, "given Bruderheim's location and interface and interaction with us."

"Membership was a critical step to ensuring a sustainable future for Bruderheim," says Bruderheim CAO, Tim Duhamel. "We want industrial development to have a very positive impact on the Town, and the AIHA was gracious enough to understand that."

One of the major municipalities involved in the Association is Strathcona County, which already has a strong relationship with the Town. Linda Osinchuk, the County's Mayor and important participant of the Association, notes that "the AIHA is at an important and crucial turning point. The membership of neighbouring municipalities will provide a valuable voice on behalf of industry; not only oil and gas, but manufacturing and businesses associated with them."

Bruderheim Mayor Karl Hauch believes that it shows a great deal of leadership and strength on the part of the AIHA to recognize adjacent municipalities. "It's paying attention to the details-such as the potential effects on our small town. We're grateful for the AIHA's great spirit of regional cooperation."

The Association anticipates cultivating a positive relationship with the Town. "We're pleased and excited to have Bruderheim as an Associate Member of our organization," says Shelly, "and look forward to working with the Town to advance the concept of responsible development for the entire area."