By Lisa Parent

New Vital Signs report released for Southeastern Alberta

Oct 30, 2023 | 3:12 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta is an organization that collects data on critical community issues and directs funding into those areas. Today, they held a community event today at McNally’s Taphouse to discuss their latest Vital Signs Report.

Vital Signs is a check-in on social and economic trends, to determine critical community issues. Topics discussed included economic development, food security and safety.

Some of the people in attendance included frontline workers, vulnerable populations, charities and community leaders.

Niki Gray is the executive director with the community foundation. She says a focus of this year’s report was rural communities.

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“Housing instability or obtainability, even the lack of housing that’s in our rural communities is underlooked,” says Gray. “Unless you’re living in that community, you aren’t aware of what the needs are. They are going underserved and it affects economic development.

Gray says a lack of housing in rural communities also effects a company’s ability to retain employees for extended periods of time.

The information in Vital Signs will serve as a guide for residents, businesses, community organizations, educational institutions, and government leaders to take action and allocate resources where they can make the most significant difference.

The Vital Signs report can be found here.