By Eric Forster
There is something rewarding about meeting an Economic Development Officer at the beginning of a new chapter, whether they are stepping into their first role or bringing their experience to a new community.
Over the past month, I have visited several municipalities that recently welcomed new EDOs. Each community was different, with its own priorities, opportunities, and challenges. Yet, despite those differences, many of our conversations centred on the same questions.
Where do I start?
How do I decide what should come first?
How do I balance today’s priorities with the long-term goals of my community?
Those conversations reminded me that while every community’s journey is unique, the challenges of starting a new role are often remarkably similar.
Those are good questions to ask.
Economic development is one of those professions where there is rarely a single right answer. Every community has its own opportunities, its own challenges, and its own definition of success. At the same time, expectations can be high. Council wants progress. Businesses are looking for opportunities. Residents want to see positive change. It can feel like everyone is counting on you to have the answers from day one.
The reality is that no one starts with all the answers.
In some communities, you are stepping into an established economic development program. In others, you may be the first person to hold the role. Many EDOs also wear several hats, supporting recreation, tourism, finance, or other municipal responsibilities alongside economic development. That can make it difficult to know where to invest your time and energy.
One conversation I seem to have with almost every new EDO is about priorities.
When everything feels important, it is easy to try to do everything. Before long, your attention is divided between funding opportunities, business inquiries, strategic planning, council requests, and day-to-day responsibilities.
That is where communities can lose focus.
One example is grant funding. Grants are valuable, but they should support your community’s priorities rather than define them. A successful application is even more meaningful when it moves your long-term vision forward instead of simply responding to the latest opportunity.
That is why I often come back to one simple idea.
Economic development is not about doing everything. It is about doing the right things.
For me, that starts with understanding the community.
What are its strengths?
What challenges are holding it back?
Where are the greatest growth opportunities?
What does success look like five or ten years from now?
The answers will be different in every municipality, and that is exactly how it should be.
No two communities are the same. An idea that works well in one place may need to be adapted somewhere else. Every community has its own history, leadership, capacity, and goals. The important thing is finding an approach that fits your community.
That is where I see RMED adding value.
My role is not to tell communities what they should do. It is to listen, ask questions, share ideas, and connect communities with the resources that can help them make informed decisions. Sometimes that means exploring local data together. Sometimes it means introducing practical tools or discussing examples from other communities. Sometimes it is simply having someone to talk through an idea before moving forward.
Those conversations remind me why I enjoy this work.
Every new EDO brings fresh energy, new perspectives, and a genuine desire to strengthen their community. It is rewarding to be part of those first conversations and to see the excitement people bring to the role.
If you are starting your career as an Economic Development Officer, my advice is simple.
Take the time to learn your community. Listen before you act. Build relationships. Focus on the priorities that matter most. Do not feel pressured to solve every challenge at once.
Most importantly, remember that you are not alone.
There is a strong network of professionals across Manitoba who have faced many of the same questions you are asking today. I look forward to meeting more of you, learning about your communities, and supporting you as you help shape the future of rural Manitoba.