University of Northern BC geography professor Greg Halseth, Canada Research Chair of Rural and Small Town studies will speak on economic growth and development issues at the College of the Rockies (COTR) large lecture theatre 7 p.m. April 11.

In an interview last week from UNBC, Halseth said his talk Monday will be focused on how communities can renew their development foundations by studying the historic growth patterns that created them in the first place.

"We understood more about the foundations of rural economies in the '50s and 60s,' but over time people lost interest in looking at the core economic values of rural communities."

Halseth there are ways to inspire communities to look at their core economic values and regional assets to decide what direction to go in the future. "That would allow us to work in partnership to create a future for our children and grandchildren."

As the economic cycle has changed over the years, many resource-based communities have been forced to "re-invent" themselves to keep their economies going, he said. Old mining towns like Kimberley and Fernie have done by becoming tourist and resort destinations while others have become education and health care centres like Cranbrook .

The process isn't always smooth but it can be done, he said. And in order for it to be done properly it helps greatly to have a plan in place, he added.

"It's more a question of a community really figuring out what is its identity, what are its assets and what are its aspirations? How do we continue a dialogue that moves things forward do that if a development is proposed for a town, how do we evaluate it and how do we evaluate the risks?"

If this process doesn't take place, it can lead to community discord, Halseth said. "We've had towns where there have been protests in the streets over things, whole councils have been tossed out and its not unusual in local government and mostly it's because the discussion about the destiny of a community during a period of change hasn't happened. If you don't have that, how can anyone make a good evaluation of what is a right move, what is a risky move and a move that people aren't even interested in."

Halseth is also a noted author with several books in the field, including "Building for Success: Explorations of Rural Community Development," "Re-Development at the Urban Edges" and his latest "The Next Rural Economies."

COTR and Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook partnered to bring Halseth to town, said Citizens spokeswoman Barb O'Neil. "We just want the community to have the opportunity to hear Greg because what he's specializing in is very relevant to Cranbrook now."