"We want more of you!"
Manitou Economic Development Agency
In every community, each business is not just an economic entity, but a heartbeat of resilience and growth.
As someone deeply embedded in our economy, you understand the unique challenges and opportunities we face - fluctuations in the market, access to capital, and the constant demand for innovation and sustainability.
MEDA is here to give you the tools, support, and guidance so you have what you need (and what you want).
We create opportunities for business, investor, and community.
I finally could see the pathway forward.
...a relevant, reasonable, and impressive plan of action.
“Ben takes the time to learn his client well so that he can establish a genuine connection which excellently serves the process that follows. Throughout the conversation I felt open and at ease.
Ben is very knowledgeable and extremely keen to learn about the areas in which he’s not already versed. His questions are intentional and purposeful and help him build the greater picture to draw from as he creates a solution using a backwards by design process.
I had the pieces of my life there, established. I had made great changes, taken training, and done a lot of personal discovery to figure out what kind of work I am meant to do. The past year has felt like a struggle to try and put those pieces together in a cohesive, meaningful way and create a business model and platform that is perpetual and of great quality.
After my conversation with Ben, I felt that I finally could see the pathway forward.
He was able to consider the pieces I had in front of me, including my dreams and desires, and suggest a relevant, reasonable, and impressive plan of action that will help me step out of the life I’ve been struggling in, and into the one I’ve been imagining.
He communicated the solution and now I can put into action a plan that is sustainable and directed towards my goals.
Ben is deliberate in his every step. His presence is professional while holding the compassion he has for his clients and the dreams that are close to their hearts. Ben truly understands the simplicity in a solution that can stem from a complex situation. He can comprehensibly see the way through any problem and has an acute awareness of the steps required to help catapult his clients from a place of feeling stuck and stagnant to one of clarity and success.
If you’re looking for a straightforward, no bull, and brilliant resolution to the problem that’s been keeping you from moving forward, ask Ben.”
- KD
*** Community Call ***
We are excited to invite members of the Watrous / Manitou region to play a pivotal role in shaping the direction of a revitalized Economic Development Office (EDO) and Chamber of Commerce!
Your input and support are crucial as we embark on this new chapter of community-driven economic growth and innovation. Whether you’re a local business owner, community leader, or passionate resident, your perspective will help create an inclusive, vibrant business ecosystem that serves the community.
We are actively seeking letters of recommendation and endorsements to bolster the launch of this initiative. Your support will help us build momentum and ensure the EDO and Chamber reflect the unique needs and aspirations of our community.
Submit your letters and ideas today!
MEDA Membership is for:
Business
Access to Strategic Growth Opportunities
Innovative Funding Strategies
Profitable Partnerships and Networking
Comprehensive Business Support and Expertise
Investor
Access to High-Return Investment Opportunities
Strategic Partnerships and Networking
Long-Term Sustainability and Impact
Customized Investment Support and Tools
Community
Economic Revitalization and Growth
Collaboration and Shared Resources
Improved Social Infrastructure and Quality of Life
Access to Tools for Local Business and Community Engagement
Stop Playing Defense. Start Growing.
Unlock Your Business Potential.
Join MEDA.
Most businesses never reach their full potential—not because they lack talent, but because they lack the right tools, support, and focus. At MEDA, we don’t believe in vague advice or cookie-cutter solutions.
We build practical strategies, foster profitable partnerships, and deliver results. This is not a one-size-fits-all membership. It’s a tailored program designed for businesses and entrepreneurs ready to grow with intention.
What You Get:
For Business Owners:
Strategic Growth Opportunities:
Identify the hidden opportunities others miss. Leverage new markets, investment, and infrastructure projects to grow.
Profitable Partnerships:
Connect with serious partners—those who will multiply your revenue, not waste your time.
Access to Capital & Funding Innovation:
Get real funding solutions, from private investment to government grants. We know the right doors to open.
Business Therapy & Advisory Services:
Stuck? We’ll help you diagnose what’s holding you back and put you on the fastest path forward.
For Investors:
Curated, High-Return Projects:
Access $2B+ in project opportunities across real estate, tourism, senior housing, and more.
Network with Leaders:
Forge strategic alliances with business owners and community leaders who move markets.
Impact and Sustainability:
Earn meaningful returns while backing ventures that improve communities and build futures.
For Community Builders:
Economic Revitalization at Scale:
Participate in community-led initiatives that create jobs, grow businesses, and attract investment.
Shared Resources for Maximum Impact:
MEDA builds partnerships that spread risk and multiply opportunities across the board.
Tools for Long-Term Success:
We provide the insights, data, and planning needed to turn local ambitions into lasting change.
Here’s What You Won’t Get:
No unnecessary meetings. No fluffy networking.
Just real partnerships, funding, and growth.
We live by GSD.
No long-term contracts.
If we don’t deliver value, you leave. Simple.
What’s the Cost?
5% of your monthly revenue.
That’s it. No hidden fees, no extra charges. We grow with you.
No long-term commitment.
Walk away anytime—but you won’t want to.
Join Now.
Build What’s Next.
This is for business owners, investors, and leaders who refuse to settle for "good enough."
It’s time to build, scale, and shape the future.
Apply Today.
We’ll start with a conversation about where you are now—and exactly where you want to go.
Ready?
Let’s grow.
MEDA supports regional oversight, planning, and operations.
Audit and assess the needs and potential in the community.
Define and clarify a strategic and operating plan.
Sustain a system and process for a functional commercial and social ecosystem.
We provide the mandate, measure, and means to deliver results.
Sector-specific capacity development.
Business retention and expansion activities.
Economic diversification and strategic planning.
Partnership development and driving shared growth.
Land development, investment attraction, and investor tours.
Wayfinding funding programs and economic development tools.
“We lead your community engagement and business development efforts,
with more than $2B in opportunities for investors with the means to grow.” - EP
Looking to Buy a local business? - we've got funding for you!
Local Business Buy/Sell
Buying or selling a business is not just a transaction—it's a transition of vision, leadership, and legacy.
Our platform isn't about just listing businesses; it's about connecting the right people at the right moment, helping buyers find their future, and sellers pass on their legacy.
With tools that dive deep into valuation, market positioning, and long-term growth potential, we bridge the gap between opportunity and success.
This isn't a marketplace—it's a meeting ground for ambition, where every business, no matter the size, finds the next great chapter."
ABOUT MEDA
We are a strategic alliance.
An agency driven investment, management, and business development group designed for mutual benefit, and the collective upliftment of our community.
This is our platform for collaboration, innovation, and direct action.
WHAT WE OFFER
Growth in Action
Business Planning and Advisory Services
Guiding businesses through strategic planning and operational development, we provide expert advice and tailored solutions to help organizations build, sustain, and scale effectively.
Financial Support and Access to Capital
Connecting businesses with essential financial resources and guiding them through the process of securing capital to support growth, innovation, and long-term success.
Marketing and Branding Assistance
Helping businesses craft compelling marketing strategies and build strong, consistent brand identities that resonate with target audiences and drive growth.
Educational Workshops and Training Programs
Providing tailored workshops and training programs to equip businesses and entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge, and tools needed for growth and long-term success.
Networking and Collaboration
Facilitating valuable networking and collaboration opportunities that connect businesses with potential partners, investors, and industry leaders to drive mutual growth and innovation.
Technology and Innovation Support
Offering expertise and resources to help businesses integrate cutting-edge technology and foster innovation, enhancing operational efficiency and competitive advantage.
Manitou Economic Development Agency
Working one-on-one with new and expanding businesses.
Generating projects, activities and resources to build the local economy.
Supporting local businesses and attracting new investment to the region.
Executing community revitalization priorities.
Supporting regional marketing and tourism efforts.
Tourism development and event production.
Business retention and expansion services.
Entrepreneurial support services.
Providing information and resources on:
Available industrial/commercial lands for development.
Business growth opportunities.
Community investments and infrastructure improvements.
Workforce demographics and statistics.
Offering access to business resources and connections:
MEDA Business Insights
MEDA Entrepreneur Centre
Providing information on starting a business in the region, including permits, licenses, and registration.
Assisting with finding commercial/industrial real estate in the area.
Offering general economic development services and information about investing in the community.
This is how we grew it
How It Works:
From Concept to Results
1. Initial Conversation – Let's Talk Growth
Purpose:
We start with a 30-minute exploratory call to understand your challenges, goals, and vision. This isn’t a sales pitch—it’s a deep dive into what matters most to your business.
What We Cover:
What opportunities are you not seeing right now?
What’s keeping you up at night—cash flow, customers, expansion?
What would “meaningful growth” look like for your business?
Do the words, overwhelmed, drowning, exhausted, or frustrated have any meaning for you?
💡
Our Promise:
You’ll walk away from this call with clarity and practical next steps, whether or not you join MEDA.
2. Customized Growth Strategy Proposal – See the Road Ahead
We Craft Your Roadmap:
Based on our initial conversation, we build a tailored strategy that outlines how MEDA will address your unique needs and deliver measurable growth.
Key Inclusions:
Potential partnerships and funding pathways specific to your sector.
Opportunities for market expansion and community collaboration.
Tangible outcomes we can target together over the next 6-12 months.
We focus on what will make the biggest difference now—no fluff, just action.
3. Onboarding – Start Strong, Stay Focused
Once you’re ready to join MEDA, we guide you through a structured onboarding process.
Membership Fee Activation:
We align on the 5% revenue fee model, ensuring it scales naturally with your business’s growth.
No risk, no commitment.
Proof in performance.
Dedicated Account Manager:
You get a point of contact who ensures everything stays on track and makes introductions to strategic partners within our network.
Kickoff Call:
We set measurable goals and agree on deliverables for the first 90 days.
💡
Why Onboarding Matters:
This step aligns expectations and ensures we hit the ground running from day one.
4. First 90 Days – Quick Wins and Momentum
Deliverables:
Introductions to key partners, potential investors, or grant opportunities.
Access to strategic workshops and events tailored to your business.
Immediate branding, marketing, or operational support to address pain points.
💡
The Goal:
To demonstrate visible progress within the first 90 days, creating momentum that sets the foundation for long-term success.
5. Ongoing Support – Business Therapy in Action
Weekly Community Calls:
Weekly group calls for reviewing and updating on immediate action and performance.
Monthly Strategy Reviews:
Every month, we revisit your goals to ensure your business stays on course, making adjustments where necessary.
Access to Capital and Innovation Programs:
We connect you with investment opportunities, funding programs, and exclusive partnerships.
Problem-Solving Sessions:
If you hit a roadblock, your account manager schedules a one-on-one strategy session, leveraging MEDA’s business therapy approach to find solutions quickly.
💡
Our Support Doesn’t Stop:
You’re not alone—we’re a partner invested in your success.
6. Community Engagement – Scaling with Purpose
Local Involvement:
Through MEDA, your business becomes an active participant in community-driven projects, gaining visibility and influence while building meaningful relationships.
Collaboration Opportunities:
We open doors to partner with other businesses and investors in high-impact projects, creating win-win outcomes.
Brand Elevation:
Your involvement raises your profile, positioning you as a leader in the local ecosystem.
💡
Impact Matters:
Business growth is more sustainable when it lifts the whole community.
7. 12-Month Review – Reflect, Refine, and Recommit
Annual Strategy Session:
We sit down to assess the year’s outcomes and fine-tune your growth roadmap for the next 12 months.
What worked?
What opportunities emerged?
How can we scale even further next year?
💡
This isn't a reset—it’s an evolution.
As your business grows, so do the opportunities through MEDA.
8. Long-Term Membership – Grow Beyond Limits
Flexible Membership:
Our 5% fee structure scales with your success.
If you want to pause or leave, no problem—but businesses tend to stay because of the ongoing value.
We only get paid if you do.
It's our job to keep you healthy and growing.
Exclusive Opportunities:
Long-term members gain access to premium investment projects and private funding pools.
Leadership Influence: As you grow with MEDA, we’ll invite you to lead or co-develop new projects that shape the region’s future.
💡
Sustained Success:
MEDA membership becomes part of your business DNA—a trusted framework for growth, innovation, and community impact.
Ready to Grow?
Let’s Start the Conversation.
Book your first call today.
The journey starts with a conversation—and ends with your business operating at a level you never imagined.
MEDA Growth
Feature Projects
The Lake Trail
A four season walking and biking trail circumnavigating Little Manitou Lake.
Senior Housing
Climate secure age-in-place senior housing facilities to serve current and future demand.
Micro-Manufacturing
Offering a fast track to productive execution, in stark contrast to other jurisdictions, targeting new builds for commercial and industrial operations.
Primary Grocer
A competitive primary grocery service is necessary for community to grow.
140+ projects identified by, supported by, and driven to sustain our community.
Want to see what see what we're building?
Investment opportunities targeting better than market returns in housing, startups, scaling, real estate, agriculture, commercial and industrial development, manufacturing, tourism, and retail.
Accredited, exempt, premium, and members only offerings are available, depending on the current roster of projects.
What's Your Exit Plan?
Succession Planning
MEDA provides specialized business management and consulting services for small businesses in Canada, including partners offering a focus on farm, ranch, and family-owned enterprises.
By offering a comprehensive blend of strategic advice, practical support, and mentorship, we help clients streamline operations, optimize financial management, and achieve long-term growth and sustainability.
Our mission is to enable owners to focus on core activities while we support day-to-day operations and navigate strategic challenges.
AGENCY BENEFITS
Community-Driven Projects: Opportunity to lead or invest in projects that have a direct positive impact on the community.
Enhanced Networking: Connect with like-minded business owners and build a robust support network.
Skill Development: Continuous learning through workshops, real-world applications, and peer sharing.
Financial Growth: Potential financial returns from community-oriented investments.
SERVICE
Audit and Assessment
Strategy Formulation
Project Implementation
Performance Monitoring
Providing the tools and information to build successful, sustainable plans for economic development.
Advocating for business-friendly public policy on behalf of businesses.
Providing services that help member communities grow and expand existing businesses, attract new investments, and work towards strategic infrastructure, land use planning, and community enhancement.
Curating reports, case studies, podcasts, videos, and other tools designed to help make communities stronger and more resilient.
Providing public-policy research and advocacy on issues that enhance competitiveness and prosperity.
Representing business districts that employ thousands of retail, service and office employees - mostly small and medium-sized businesses, maintaining community excellence and the highest quality of livability.
Providing tools and information resources, including contact lists, job listings, and more.
Creating and sustaining diverse, sustainable communities by offering services and tools, including business support services, business planning advice, loans, and self-employment assistance, to help entrepreneurs and small business owners achieve their goals.
Focusing on independent and collaborative research, building capacity for economic development in our communities.
Supporting community economic development through the creation of economic projects and by strengthening member organizations’ entrepreneurial capacities.
Initiating, monitoring, interpreting, and reacting where changes could have an effect on local economies and the communities they serve.
Business
Access to Strategic Growth Opportunities:
MEDA provides businesses with unique opportunities to expand through investment, land development, and project generation. We focus on discovering potential and structuring it for success, helping members pinpoint untapped opportunities that others might overlook.
Innovative Funding Strategies:
MEDA supports businesses with access to financial resources and innovative funding mechanisms. Strategic capital acquisition is crucial to long-term growth, driving MEDA’s capacity to help members secure funding, whether through government programs or private investments.
Profitable Partnerships and Networking: Members benefit from MEDA’s focus on fostering meaningful, mutually beneficial partnerships. Collaboration and strategic alliances help amplify a business’s market reach, reputation, and revenue potential.
Comprehensive Business Support and Expertise: Through services like business planning, market research, and capacity building, MEDA provides hands-on assistance, identifying challenges, offering strategic guidance, and implementing sustainable solutions for growth.
MEDA provides growth potential, strategic funding, meaningful collaboration, and comprehensive support - delivering the tools and resources businesses need to thrive in a dynamic market.
Investor
Access to High-Return Investment Opportunities:
MEDA offers investors access to a curated portfolio of community-driven projects across diverse sectors like real estate, tourism, manufacturing, and senior housing. These investments are designed to offer above-market returns, aligning with our principles of tapping into innovative, high-growth opportunities while managing risk.
Strategic Partnerships and Networking:
Investors gain entry into a network of business owners, community leaders, and fellow investors, which fosters collaborative growth. Strategic alliances create long-term value and open up new avenues for lucrative deals.
Long-Term Sustainability and Impact:
MEDA emphasizes community development and projects that generate both financial returns and positive social impact. We invest in ventures that not only generate profit, and contribute to the community’s resilience and long-term sustainability.
Customized Investment Support and Tools:
MEDA provides investors with tools, guidance, and oversight to assess project potential, track performance, and make informed decisions. This diagnostic and actionable approach ensures that investors are well-positioned for both immediate returns and sustained growth.
We focus on high-growth investments, collaborative partnerships, social impact, and strategic tools, ensuring that investor members can navigate the complexities of modern investment landscapes with confidence.
Community
Economic Revitalization and Growth:
MEDA focuses on driving economic development through local business support, land development, and infrastructure projects. This ensures that community members benefit from job creation, increased local business activity, and enhanced services, creating a more resilient and prosperous community.
Collaboration and Shared Resources:
MEDA fosters community-driven projects that allow community members to participate in shared growth. By pooling resources and working together, the community can tackle larger projects and achieve goals that would be difficult individually. This drives our vision of integrating communities into the economic success of businesses, through shared investment and collaboration.
Improved Social Infrastructure and Quality of Life:
MEDA's focus on projects like senior housing, tourism, and community development directly enhances the social fabric and livability of the area. Community-centred projects improve the quality of life and address long-term demographic needs, particularly for aging populations.
Access to Tools for Local Business and Community Engagement:
MEDA provides tools, training, and resources for community members to engage in business activities, from entrepreneurial support to local economic planning. We focus on diagnosing local challenges, and implementing strategic solutions that improve the community’s overall health and operational success.
Economic revitalization, resource sharing, social infrastructure improvement, and community empowerment help strengthen the local economy while fostering a more connected and prosperous community.
Why Join Us?
Leverage combined expertise and resources to mitigate individual risks.
Engage in community-centric projects that promise a return on investment and social impact.
Foster a network of like-minded individuals committed to sustainable business practices and community growth.
Investment opportunities are available through Plains North Capital Inc.
Turn challenges into opportunities, and individual success stories into generational triumphs.
Together, we can redefine the essence of community-driven development, and economic resilience.
Email: [email protected]
Want to KNow More?
Frequently Asked Questions
We are happy to connect and talk more about anything you find of interest!
Is it 5% gross or net?
The 5% approach is widely used in service industries such as marketing, e-commerce, or business consulting, where the provider takes a percentage of the client’s top-line revenue, ensuring their interests are aligned with the client’s growth.
Why is it used?
The 5% model is attractive because it balances risk and reward between the service provider and the client. It motivates the provider to deliver high-value work, as their compensation grows with the client’s revenue. For the client, this model ensures they aren’t overpaying upfront but instead share a portion of the value created. This aligns incentives and drives a co-operative approach to scaling.
Why use Gross Monthly Revenue (GMR)?
GMR is the preferred metric in this model because:
Consistency and Transparency: GMR is a top-line figure that’s easier to track and report. Unlike net profits, which fluctuate based on varying costs and accounting practices, GMR remains relatively stable and provides a clear, objective number.
Scalability: As a business grows, its GMR will increase proportionally. The 5% model scales with the client’s growth, making it a fair and adaptable pricing strategy.
Risk Mitigation: By focusing on gross revenue, the provider mitigates the risk of poor profitability or high operating costs within the client’s business. This means the provider gets paid regardless of how efficiently the client manages its expenses, though it’s still incentivized to help the client grow revenue.
Justifying the Cost
Practice and Expertise: A 5% fee on GMR can be justified when the provider brings expert knowledge, strategic partnerships, or technical proficiency that directly impacts the client’s top-line growth. It's particularly justified when the service accelerates revenue or opens up new markets.
Performance Incentives: The provider’s compensation is directly tied to performance, encouraging the provider to work diligently to grow the client’s business. Since their fee is a percentage, they will aim to maximize the revenue-generating opportunities for both themselves and the client.
Risk Mitigation: The risk for the client is lower in this model. Since payment is based on revenue (not fixed costs), clients aren’t obligated to pay high fees in months where revenue might dip. This provides flexibility and reduces financial strain.
Risk Mitigation and Engagement through Incentivized Performance
Engagement Driven by Results: The provider is highly incentivized to increase the client’s revenue because their compensation is tied to GMR. This aligns the provider's goals with the client’s growth trajectory.
Flexible Payment Based on Growth: As the client’s business grows, the payment to the provider naturally increases. This flexible model ensures the client isn’t overpaying during slower growth periods but rewards both parties when performance improves.
Proof through Historical Success: Case studies often illustrate how this approach has led to mutual benefits, particularly in industries where scaling quickly is essential. For example, in high-growth fields like e-commerce or strategic consulting, the 5% model has proven effective by creating shared incentives for both client and service provider.
The 5% model is advantageous because it aligns incentives between the provider and client, uses a transparent and scalable metric (GMR), and mitigates financial risks. It drives engagement through performance-based compensation, making it an attractive pricing strategy for growth-driven services.
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Manitou Economic Development Agency
MEDA is a member of the Soforo Group