What's Happening at HGI?

Chamber/CDC Meetings Organized

HGI met with the executive members of various community groups during the spring of 2002, to provide information on HGI and the benefits of natural gas.

Meetings included:

	May 15 - Crystal City Chamber & RM of Louise CDC
	May 22 - Treherne & South Norfolk councils, CDC
	June 3 - Pilot Mound Chamber; Roblin-Cartwright Round Table; Glenboro CDC
	June 6 - Pembina-Manitou CDC
	June 13 - Notre Dame CDC, St. Leon Round Table

(update 06/30/03)

HGI Meets with Swan Lake First Nation

Representatives from HGI met with Chief Larry Soldier and officials of the Swan Lake First Nation on April 23, 2002. The HGI group, led by Co-Chair George Henderson reviewed the purpose of HGI and provided an update on progress. (05/15/02)

Somerset Joins HGI

At a special meeting of council on January 29, 2002, the Village of Somerset council voted to participate in the Heartland Gas Initiative.

With the inclusion of Somerset, the HGI committee now has full representation from all 16 municipal corporations in the region. (02/15/02)

Marketing Reps in Region

As of January 7th, marketing representatives from Centra/Hydro were in the Heartland Gas area doing the preliminary market survey. During the next few weeks, the reps will visit 14 communities in the region.

The marketing reps will be taking a look at the communities, using the scoping information provided by the HGI committee, to estimate the market for natural gas in the area. (01/08/02)

HGI Signs Contract

At the Committee's October 23rd meeting, HGI entered into a "Letter of Engagement" with Central Plains Inc. for coordination and administrative services. Georgette Hutlet, a Community Development Officer with Central Plains Inc., will serve as Coordinator for HGI. (10/24/01)

HGI Co-Chairs George Henderson and Ben Groening sign Letter of Engagement

Linda Duncan Honoured

The HGI Committee officially paid tribute to Linda Duncan, Linda Duncan Associates, for her service to HGI over the past four years. Linda was a driving force on the Committee when it was originally formed in 1997. At that time, the Committee's focus was on securing the routing of a major gas distribution line through the area. Since the Committee's reorganization in June 2001, Linda has assisted in charting the new direction and in arranging for a full-time coordinator.

Co-Chairs present gift

Council Visits Planned

HGI Coordinator, Georgette Hutlet, and support staff from Central Plains Inc. will be visiting councils in the HGI area during the next month for brief orientations on the project. (10/17/01)

Councils visits are planned as follows:

Oct 25	Village of Treherne
Nov 6	Village of Notre Dame de Lourdes
Nov 8	Town of Manitou
Nov 9	RM of Lorne*
Nov 13	RM of Roblin RM of Louise RM of Pembina RM of South Cypress Village of Glenboro
Nov 14	RM of Victoria RM of Thompson
Nov 19	Village of Cartwright
Nov 20	Village of Crystal City Town of Pilot Mound
Dec 11	RM of South Norfolk
Jan 15	Village of Somerset**
	* updated 10/30/01 ** updated 1/9/02

HGI Contracts for Coordinator

Heartland Gas Initiative passed a motion at its September board meeting to enter into an agreement with Central Plains Inc., a Manitoba Regional Development Corporation, to provide coordinator services. Under the agreement, Central Plains Inc. will provide a designated staff person to serve as HGI coordinator for a two year term. The coordinator will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of HGI. (9/25/01)