Piney, Stuartburn part ways to close Sunrise Corner

The RMs of Stuartburn and Piney have dissolved the Piney Stuartburn Economic Development Board and have thus parted ways in their joint venture of Sunrise Corner Economic Development and Tourism.

“We had a partnership with Stuartburn, and you know, we rolled it all into the Sunrise Corner…but Stuartburn decided to terminate the agreement. I’d leave that up to them to answer (why),” said Piney Reeve Wayne Anderson.

RM of Stuartburn Reeve Michelle Gawronsky did not return calls for an interview.

Since 2016, the board has worked to support economic development, tourism promotion, business attraction, community initiatives, and regional partnerships throughout the RMs.

Through Sunrise Corner, the organization helped strengthen local businesses, promoted tourism assets, supported community organizations, and advocated for sustainable growth across southeastern Manitoba.

Anderson said in the 10 years that Sunrise Corner has been active it developed name recognition and had brought more awareness to Piney bringing an increase in people into the municipality as it was only two hours aways from Winnipeg and it brought an increase in building permits, among other benefits.

“We saw a lot of benefit to it. We were happy with it, but unfortunately it didn’t work out. We’re going to move on and try something different,” he said.

Piney has posted a position for an economic development officer to continue promoting the area and what it can offer residents and businesses.