A Community Speaks!

by Doug

The following article appeared in the Dryden Community Matters publication. It talks about the challenges of a small community in today’s economy and its hope for Tecvana…..

For decades people have visited the local area to enjoy the outdoors. Many have participated in activities such as fishing and hunting. These visitors have supported hundreds of area businesses and sustained substantial numbers of jobs. However, in recent years our traditional tourist industry has faced significant challenges.

One challenge is the aging of guests. Many anglers who have been coming to the area for years are now in their senior years. In addition, fewer young people from our traditional tourist markets are engaged in fishing like their older generations and the result is a client base that is declining.

In the broader society, there is a continued trend towards urbanization and a growing disconnect between rural economies and large urban economies. Many younger adults are drawn to cities and there are fewer of them who are interested in participating in outdoor activities in rural areas. Labeled by some as digital urbanites, these 18 to 35 year olds spend an incredible amount of time connected to others and to information through various technologies and social media.

Meanwhile, rural economies are struggling as we can attest to locally. Many of the traditional drivers of rural economies are resource-based and declining or transitioning. Many of the growing sectors are knowledge-intensive and urban-based. So, what can be done to address these challenges?

One promising and developing solution is TecVana (www.tecvana.com). TecVana is positioning itself as “uniquely designed to reach, engage and empower the emerging youth market and struggling rural communities to collaboratively develop a new age rural outdoor escapism adventure that will have appeal to the needs and lifestyle of our younger population”.

The municipalities of Dryden and Machin have indicated their willingness to be pilot communities for this program. This provides our local area with the opportunity to be involved in the early stages of this innovative venture.

Currently, TecVana and students at Fanshawe College are finding a way to leverage social networking to develop the next generation of digital interactive “real life” games. Check out www.facebook.com/tecvana to view some of the students’ game concepts and to post your input. Be part of this very exciting initiative to address some of current economic challenges!

David Durance