Investment Attraction is the strategy by which an economy brings new money into its communities to expand their economic base. Without new money entering the economy through exporting products and services, an economy will stagnate and eventually evaporate. A vibrant and diverse regional economy requires a strategic focus on investment attraction in order to grow and diversify the export sector of its economy.

Because of advances in technology, many businesses and investors are completely location insensitive. The new variable is "quality of life", as decision-makers consider where they and their employees want to live, invest and do business, rather than where they have to do business. The Business and Investment Attraction Committee ensures potential businesses and investors are fully aware of the exceptional quality of life offered by our community. It also identifies and reports to the Institute Board any limitations in infrastructure, technology and support for home-based, small and medium-sized businesses that could impede economic and business development.

We believe our community offers a lot of the attributes a company is looking for when it comes to selecting a place to expand or begin their new business. In fact, efforts by the Olds Institute in investment attraction helped bring the Cornerstone Village Development to Olds.

There are also numerous opportunities to identify potential new business for our community through organizations such as the Olds College School of Innovation and the Central Alberta Economic Partnership. The opportunities are endless; all we have to do is look.