Clearwater County Podcasts

In this podcast episode, Jerry Pratt, Economic Development Officer, interviews Jim Duncan with Clearwater Trails Initiative (CTI) a non-profit society with community-based efforts aimed at developing and maintaining recreational trails within the county. These trails can encompass various types, including hiking, biking, equestrian, and cross-country skiing trails. The initiative involve local government, community organizations, volunteers, and other stakeholders working together to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities, promote healthy lifestyles, and preserve natural areas. For more information on these principles visit "Leave No Trace": https://leavenotrace.ca/ More information about CTI: https://www.clearwatercounty.ca/p/clearwater-trails-initiative

Dive into the County's Open Access Network (OAN), a game-changing initiative for better connectivity in Clearwater County. With three out of six project phases done, the OAN uses a vast 360-kilometer fiber-optic cable (Core Backbone) and well-placed wireless towers for high-speed Internet across the county. Join Jerry Pratt, the Economic Development Officer, in an engaging podcast as he interviews Rigstar's President/Co-Founder, the Network Operator for Clearwater County's OAN, also known as the broadband optic fiber project. Learn more: www.clearwatercounty.ca/p/clearwater-county-open-access-network View previous podcasts: www.clearwatercounty.ca/p/podcasts

In this podcast interview Jerry Pratt, Economic Development Officer, interviews Rhonda Serhan, Manager of Financial Services, about how County finances are structured. Learn about the different areas that property taxes fund and how they work.

Amazing Horse Country is a ranch near Crimson Lake in Clearwater County that helps horses and riders grow closer together and trains both how so they can enjoy new adventures together. In this video Jerry Pratt, Economic Development Officer for Clearwater County, interviews Scott Phillips, owner of Amazing Horse Country. They discuss what Scott does with his clients and horses, why he chose this area for his business, and how being in nature is good for the soul.

Clearwater County Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Rick Emmons, discusses the role of Council, the Municipal Government Act, Bylaws, and how services and expectations have changed for municipal government over his 30 some years of experience. Located in west central Alberta, Canada, Clearwater County is a rural municipality that covers an area of over 18,000 square kms and has a population of just under 12,000. The landscape has farms and ranches in the East and mountains and rivers in the West. Major industries include Oil & Gas, Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism.

Listen to the latest discussion about the Black Mountain Fire in Clearwater County about 19 kms from Nordegg in late July of 2022. In this video Jerry Pratt, Economic Development Officer, interviews the Director of Emergency & Legislative Services, Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief of Operations with Clearwater Regional Fire and Rescue Services. They discuss the conditions at the time of the fire, the response, working with Alberta Environment and Parks and Alberta Wildfire in a Unified Incident Command Centre, and review the value of the Fire Smart program on acreages and farms.

Listen the latest podcast episode about a new luxury cabin rental business in Nordegg, Alberta. Tanya Koshowski runs Nature’s Getaway Nordegg, and in this video Jerry Pratt, Economic Development Officer with Clearwater County, interviews Tanya about why they chose Nordegg, the joys of operating multiple cabin rentals, and how they have made Nature’s Getaway a unique place for couples and families to enjoy as they explore the David Thompson Country Tourism Region. Nature’s Getaway Nordegg can be found at https://www.naturesgetawaynordegg.com/

Brett Pawlyk is a long-time local adventurer and guide. In this video he speaks with Jerry Pratt, Economic Development Officer with Clearwater County, about HeLa Ventures, Mountain Adventure School, caring for the land as people recreate, and his book “David Thompson Country: A Scrambling Guide.” Brett wants everyone to know that we have a beautiful area to live and play in, and that the best way to enjoy this land for generations to come is by following the Leave No Trace principles when recreating in Clearwater County and surrounding area. Brett’s book, “David Thompson Country: A Scrambling Guide”, is sold at various stores around Nordegg and Rocky Mountain House or can be purchased online through Amazon.

Economic Development Officer Jerry Pratt welcomes Stacey Wigley, Principal of West Central High School to discuss how Internet access is influencing modern classrooms and the importance for learning outcomes. The digital mobilization of education has left many parents anxious about the availability of high-speed, reliable Internet access. The effects of the pandemic have exacerbated the problems of connectivity for rural students.

Economic Development Officer Jerry Pratt welcomes Principal Tim Bowman of École Rocky Elementary to discuss the importance of Internet access to education. Despite the growing importance of reliable, high-speed Internet access to a quality education, large gaps in service remain. More than 10 percent of Canadians still do not have Internet access at home, while rural speeds are on average, ten times slower than urban speeds.