The Olds Institute is considering renaming itself. Under its umbrella is a wide range of organizations: O-NET, a locally-owned company which provides internet, TV and phone service via a fibre optic network. Fair Trade Olds is also part of the group.
The Olds Institute is considering renaming itself.
Under its umbrella is a wide range of organizations: O-NET, a locally-owned company which provides internet, TV and phone service via a fibre optic network.
Fair Trade Olds is also part of the group. Fair trade is a concept under which business is done to ensure people in the poorest countries in the world are paid fairly for their work so they can make a sustainable living.
Also under the wing of the Olds Institute is the physician attraction and retention committee.
Mountain View Power is another arm of the institute. As its name suggests, it sells power to residents, then reinvests the profits locally.
Uptowne Olds, a committee representing downtown businesses, was also placed under the wing of OI.
Other committees in the Olds Institute include Opportunity Olds, Sustainable Olds, Connected Community, Community Lifestyle, and the Business Attraction Retention and Expansion committee.
Members of the Olds Institute say despite the fact it has existed for 15 years, few residents – if any – really know what it's all about. Hence the search for a new name so people will understand what it does and how valuable it is to the community.
That's understandable. However, a much greater need is to spur business and fill space in the community.
Representatives of the Olds Institute (the Business Attraction Retention and Expansion committee in particular), as well as the town, along with realtors and Uptowne Olds reps are working on that.
That's where the focus should be.
We can work with the name Olds Institute for many more years, but jobs are needed now.
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