Members of the Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce welcomed member of the Town's economic development team to their monthly luncheon Wednesday where they laid out their "Together We Can" economic plan and how chamber members can contribute to its success.

Economic Development Manager Shane Olson says it's important the Town keeps local businesses informed of what they're doing to help further economic growth.

"It's really important for us to collaborate with our community stakeholders," he says. "We've had a long term relationship working with the chamber of commerce. In advancing in the interested they've really stepped up with what they're doing in terms of advocacy and lobbying as well as some of the work they're doing around training and education for our business community."

Olson says without the local businesses in Okotoks buying into the plan, it won't be successful.

"We need others to help us achieve the plan, it's business people in the community that create the economic success we just help pave the way. We're basically gate keepers of information, we're generalists, we refer them to resources in the community whether that be for business planning or financing that's our role."

One topic of discussion that has been discussed numerous times in late 2015 and into 2016 is the future of connectivity in Okotoks and broadband internet.

Olson says as part of their economic plan, innovations are a big aspect to it.

"We're hearing we need around 100 mega bytes up and download speeds from fibre optics in order to achieve success. So as there's more disruptive technologies like 3D printing, even law and engineering firms that are moving big data or IT companies they need the ability to connect. Fibre optics is the future and it's here to say."

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