The city of Cold Lake announced its new partnership with IndigiConnect, an organization focused on connecting Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses, and professionals with local business networks.
The initiative aimed to enhance economic opportunities for Indigenous communities and strengthen ties within the local economy.
“This organization can help Indigenous business to grow in our community,” said Mayor Craig Copeland. “We met with them at the end of October, and they had a lot of great plans and ideas.”
The city council opted for a one-year basic membership package with IndigiConnect, costing $1,200, as an initial step to evaluate the partnership’s potential. The membership will include targeted job promotion for city employment opportunities directly to the seven surrounding First Nations communities.
“There is an option to pursue a larger membership with this organization down the road if we see it helping people in our area,” said Copeland. “But for now, this is still a start.”
IndigiConnect, a digital platform, supports Indigenous economic development through its Indigenous Business Directory. This is designed to connect businesses, bridge gaps, and create new partnerships while preserving Indigenous cultures, traditions, and values.
By joining, Cold Lake aims to support the growth of Indigenous workforces and foster collaboration between Indigenous businesses and the broader local economy.
