Sturgeon County will feature its growing relationship with Edmonton Garrison at its 2011 Fall Business Breakfast tomorrow morning.
Hosted at the Officers' Mess at CFB Edmonton, base commander Lt.-Col. J.C. Reiffenstein will tell members of Sturgeon County Council, mayors, councillors and CAOs from surrounding communities as well as county businesses about the burgeoning relationship between the county and the garrison and its aggressive development.
"He'll be talking about how we worked together on Canada Day and working with the base on local food development and tourism and that kind of thing," said Patrick Earl, the county's economic development co-ordinator.
The county has been pursuing closer ties with the garrison since 2010, shortly after it launched its Start in Sturgeon branding initiative. The sprawling base lies within Sturgeon's boundaries and many workers and military families live in the county. According to Earl, "There's lots happening at the garrison that is important to Sturgeon and the region as a whole."
"They have programming they want to get out into the region, like their rec centre. It's not just military families, but to draw people in and utilize the base as a service as well."
The county and garrison joined forces for Canada Day last July, putting on a six-hour family-friendly display of games, military displays, local food and even a CF-18 flyover. Both sides hailed the event as a success. Plans for next year are already in the works, Earl said.
"It's still a developing relationship. We had a great co-event with the Canada Day thing and there's plans for next year to continue with that and looking at local food strategies with the garrison as well."
Base commander
Reiffenstein took command of Edmonton Garrison earlier this year after serving on the Africa desk in the Directorate of Peacekeeping Policy. He has served in Croatia, Uganda and Rwanda, as well as Bosnia. He is married to Lt.-Col. Anne Reiffenstein, an artillery officer.
The breakfast runs from 7:15 to 9 a.m. Tickets are $15. Call 780-983-8367 or email Dianne Johnston at [email protected] to reserve your seat.
