media relations

Sunrise CFDC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sunrise CFDC Wins Federal Award

Weyburn, SK – November 16, 2005

A local economic development organization has earned top honours from the federal government.  Sunrise Community Futures Development Corporation is the recipient of the Minister’s Award for Excellence and Innovation from Western Economic Diversification Canada.  Given annually, the award acknowledges successful economic development initiatives; Sunrise CFDC was nominated for YouthBiz Challenge.

YouthBiz Challenge is a competition loosely based on NBC’s hit TV show, The Apprentice, and involves a set of business tasks.  The competition debuted in Weyburn in early June when students from Weyburn Comprehensive School completed scavenger hunts, advertising challenges, and created their own ice cream stands to operate for a day.  The winning team, OH-6, won a cash prize of $2,000.

YouthBiz Challenge was the winning entry for three main reasons.  For one, the project can easily be adapted for use in other communities.  Said Terry Kurucz, General Manager, “YouthBiz Challenge requires only a minimal budget and supportive volunteers, so virtually any community large enough to have an economic development organization and a high school could operate this competition with success.  This project will attract a lot of attention from our 270 sister organizations nationwide because of its independence from infrastructure, a challenge faced by several rural communities.”  As well, the competition facilitated a high level of skill development amongst participants.  Most importantly, YouthBiz Challenge was a highly successful collaboration between the business community, media, high school, and Sunrise CFDC.  “Our organization provided the framework for YouthBiz Challenge, but we credit Weyburn Comprehensive School, the business community, Weyburn Review and CFSL 1190 AM Radio for the competition’s success,” said Kurucz.

Having won the award provincially, YouthBiz Challenge will be evaluated against the projects of winners in other provinces through the 2006 Pan Canadian Initiatives Contest.  Said Brittany Staines, Project Coordinator of Sunrise CFDC, “win or lose, the project stands for skill development opportunities for youth and the encouragement of entrepreneurship.  It’d be an honour to win the national award, but it is far more important to help students realize their business aptitude, stimulate entrepreneurship, and ultimately create a healthier economy.”   

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