The Wood Buffalo Economic Development Corporation is finalizing its Task Force to help businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and current economic situation.

The committee will look to research and recommend potential programs and supports as soon as the provincial health orders end.

Kevin Weidlich, President and CEO of the WBEDC, will Chair the Post-Emergency Business Recovery Task Force, while Councillors Jane Stroud and Verna Murphy will also be members.

The rest of the Task Force includes Alethea Austin with Achieve Wellness, Chris Seggewiss with Royal Bank of Canada, Colin Hartigan with Coldwell Banker Fort McMurray, Karim, Zariffa with the Oil Sands Community Alliance, Keith Plowman with the Fort McMurray Construction Association, Kim Rizzi with Suncor, Kristi Hines with Hines Health Services, Michelle Toner with the Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association, Mike Lambert with East Village Pub, Nick Saunders with the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce, Paul Jones with the Fort McMurray Hotels Association, and RJ Streenstra with the Fort McMurray Airport Authority.

“We recognize now is the time to start planning for business recovery to be ready to act when restrictions are lifted,” said Weidlich, in a release.

“The only successful way through any crisis is with strong collaboration and mutual support; we all need to work together in order
to safeguard our region’s economy post-pandemic.”

The Task Force will also oversee sub-committees for the most impacted sectors across Wood Buffalo.

The first meeting is scheduled for April 8.