“We have had a lot of work in the region, and Boissevain is close enough to home. Plus, it has a tremendous amount of potential for growth, which means if I eventually buy property here, I have a reasonable chance of a return on investment.”

“Besides, Boissevain is a great town,” she added. “I like it here.”

Plans are for them to open an office in the Junction on South Railway Street. They will keep the office open in Carlyle, with Boissevain serving as an extension to help better serve Manitoba clients.

Matthewson said they specialize in community economic development support for smaller population communities. She stressed they do not just consult, but “do”. They do not just write a strategic plan, they provide ongoing support for a community if they want to implement a plan or source funding. She described it as a “for-profit social enterprise.”

Currently, they are looking to hire an executive assistant for the Boissevain office.

“It is my hope to create another dream team in Manitoba. Duties are going to depend on their personal capacity, and their interests. We will begin with an executive administrator job description where they will be the point of contact for our work in Manitoba, prep for that work, schedule the work, type up reports that kind of thing.”

Although it might depend on who they hire and the training done, the hope is to open in the first part of October. Matthewson is looking forward to hitting the ground running.

This is the next logical step,” she stated. “Manitoba has been good to us, and it seems right to open an office in Boissevain.”

by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff