Business View Civil and Municipal | April 2021

93 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL APRIL 2021 more recreation and outdoor activity and a healthy work/life balance into their lives, while still maintaining their office job. The feasibility of working remotely during the pandemic has allowed those people the option to relocate from the city and they are seizing the opportunity. Economic Development Consultant Gordon Daman has an immense appreciation for how the RM is planning to move forward. He explains, “Hanover is taking a profound lead in relation to recognizing the importance of long-term sustainability – not only economic but ecological, as well. From an environmental perspective, recognizing the importance of being responsible, we have planned and managed growth with the three neighboring municipalities; having the opportunity to do more together than one can do alone. Also, from a fiscal perspective, it’s more efficient to work together on that basis. But most importantly, its going to be addressing the impact, the footprint, we create. We’re going to manage development in a responsible way, so it’s affordable for residents and commercial business partners in the municipality. “Looking at the downstream effect of climate change, as well as stewardship of Manitoba’s numerous waterways, it is extremely exciting moving forward. We have a particular state waste water treatment facility project right now before the provincial government, in consultation with the federal government, to look at sustainable, long-term growth for the community. It is also extremely important for the region, as we move forward in a post-pandemic environment.” Hanover has a population of just under 20,000 and is about an hour drive to the centre of Winnipeg, the capital city of the province. Hanover is also the most populous RM in Manitoba, made up of five communities including Mitchell, Blumenort, and Grunthal – the more urban communities – while New Bothwell and Kleefeld are smaller villages. THE RURAL MUNI C I PAL I TY OF HANOVER , MANI TOBA