SREDA's 2004 Strategic Plan.

The SREDA Strategic Plan 2004, resulting from a planning retreat and detailed discussions among the SREDA Team and Board of Directors, has been confirmed. SREDA remains focused on building targeted industrial sectors because, by building this base, all other elements of economic development will logically follow.

SREDA is dedicated to building the economy by facilitating the expansion and/or retention of existing business, encouraging the location of complementary new business to the region and improving related infrastructure and services to our local industrial sectors.

SREDA's mandate is comprised of three main goals:

1. To retain, grow and expand local business in targeted industrial sectors

2. To attract new investment in targeted industrial sectors

3. To brand the Saskatoon region as a great place to live, work, invest and prosper.

Goal number three is a newly stated, dedicated focus for our organization. There have been 21 different programs and activities developed which will be part of an exciting SREDA work plan in the year ahead.

SREDA's sectors include:

1) Value-added agriculture, biotechnology, food processing and nutraceuticals

2) Technology, science and research

3) Manufacturing

4) Mining supply and service

5) Infrastructure

Additional highlights from the SREDA Strategic Plan 2004 include:

* Working closely with the Aboriginal community to encourage economic development and support tribal council investments.

* Investment attraction efforts will be focused on Saskatoon's strengths, and increased business retention and expansion efforts will help drive outside investment through local industrial companies. Based on the 2004 KPMG Study, Saskatoon has a cost-competitive advantage in research and development (biomedical, clinical trials, and electronic systems), pharmaceuticals and precision component manufacturing. Saskatoon is also well-positioned as a destination of choice for food processing operations and contact centres.

SREDA is a private-public partnership that reports to business and is a fiscally responsible, accountable and results-focused organization. We will continue to work within our mandate to grow the industrial economy.