County residents losing patience

As people in Cypress County continue to clean up following last month's flood, some are questioning what is taking the provincial government so long in providing financial assistance and in giving them up-to-date information on what is being done to help them.

The Economic Development Alliance (EDA) of southeast Alberta continues to prove it’s worth by aiding area businesses in finding success.

After a week of being closed to damage caused by the June 18 flood, the Trans Canada Highway from Dunmore to Maple Creek has been re-opened to public traffic.

The Community Foundation of Medicine Hat and Southeastern Alberta set up its Immediate Assistance Fund to assist with those suffering from the economic downturn, but the program is now being utilized to help those who have been impacted by the June 18 flood.
Mike Christie, executive director for the Community Foundation of Medicine Hat and Southestern Alberta said they are working with Cypress County and the City of Medicine Hat to ensure the help gets to the people who need it the most in a timely and efficient manner.
"This is is a fund that was created to help people with the economic downturn for immediate funding. Now, we have been approached by Cypress County and the City of Medicine Hat to run the official fund for the entire region," said Christie.
"Our focus is for the mid- to long-term, to collect as much money as we can to help those people get back into their homes and businesses. The funds will be handed out in a fair and equitable need with those in the highest need being prioritized. Somebody who has completely lost their home is at a higher need than somebody with flooding in their basement. Those kinds of things will be part of the decision-making process," he added.