By Jennifer Quam

Margaret Graine, a former Alberta resident with a business in McBride, has been named the new Economic Development Officer. The position is held through the Village of McBride.

Graine moved to McBride in 2006 and opened House of Jasper, a fine jewellery studio, this past spring.

“I hope people in town will give me the benefit of doubt in this position and know that I understand a number of the issues that the community is facing,” said Graine.

Graine believes that her business will be a benefit to her position as Economic Development Officer rather than a conflict. “It will allow me the flexibility to travel for the Village if required and also it will allow me the opportunity to talk to customers about potential business chances that the valley has to offer them,” she said.

Graine was educated in economics in Poland and obtained a real estate license once she moved to Canada. “I mostly dealt with commercial, large investment, and industrial properties,” she said.

Graine then began her banking career with the Royal Bank in Ontario working her way into their corporate office. She moved over to CIBC as their senior advisor to large business, where she managed large accounts like Canadian Tire and Shoppers Drug Mart.

“I was promoted through CIBC and transferred to Calgary to manage a $150 million portfolio for them,” said Graine.

Graine said that even though her position officially begins on September 1, she is reviewing previous economic development related reports.

“I want to be able to hit the ground running in September and get working right away,” she said. “I want to familiarize myself with as much of it as I can.”

Graine believes some of the big obstacles facing McBride are the lack of growth and population. “It affects our schools and our medical staff,” she said. “I also know that the MFI (McBride Forest Industries) closure has had a big effect on the community. We have to get something going that will let the people stay here or come back. It is heartbreaking to see people having to leave such a beautiful valley that offers the good life.”

Graine said she is looking forward to her new job and the challenges it will present.

“I think we have to start working as a team and align all those individual ideas that are out there together to start pulling in the same direction.”

McBride councillor Allan Frederick said that there were 11 candidates vying for the Economic Development Officer position.

“Margaret was the only candidate to present the job as a contract position and she sold the idea really well,” said Frederick. “We are really pleased with her appointment to this position and feel she will do a great job.”