The County of Red Deer has received the 2021 Minister’s Award for Municipal Excellence with Special Recognition for red tape reduction in Rural Municipality.

The award recognizes the County’s efforts this past year for initiatives to reduce unnecessary time and resources spent by citizens and businesses to comply with regulatory and administrative requirements imposed by legislation, regulations, and associated policies, forms and guides. Since 2002, this annual award program encourages municipalities to share successes by recognizing accomplishments in the provision of municipal services in Alberta.

In an official letter from Honorable Ric McIver, the Minister of Municipal Affairs commends Red Deer County’s “work to make it easier for businesses to start up in the municipality, particularly by streamlining business approvals.” In the letter, the ministry review panel highlighted Red Deer County’s collaborative nature of initiative and appreciated the overall goal of helping businesses succeed in the community.

 “This certificate of recognition demonstrates that County takes pride in creating solutions for its residents and ratepayers, this is a level of accomplishment we’re really proud of!” added Mayor of Red Deer County, Jim Wood.