Creating strong communities through Regional economic development

Interview with Martin Charron, head of the RED programme

We sat down for an interview with Martin Charron, head of Regional economic development to learn about the unique role Rio Tinto Alcan plays in strengthening our host communities as they broaden and diversify their economic opportunities. It goes well beyond employing people!

What's your motivation for getting involved in a community's economic development?

It's in our best interest to ensure that the communities neighbouring our operations develop opportunities to be self-sufficient and are able to thrive with or without our presence. This is part of what sustainable development means. It has to do with our 'license to operate' and using our skills, resources and expertise to strengthen a community's economic and social fabric. It's about building a sustainable future by working together towards shared objectives.

How do you work together towards shared objectives?

We're not here to decide or determine what a community's economic or social objectives should be - but we can be a catalyst and facilitator to explore these objectives in a structured way. Rio Tinto Alcan is a large company and has learned to leverage our local presence and global capabilities to help boost a region's opportunities. We are applying our knowledge of how to structure and develop complex projects in communities to help map out an approach to deliver sustainable economic development.

Have we always played this economic development role in our communities?

On an informal basis, I would say yes, but in recent years we've turned that experience into a formal, robust framework that differentiates us from the competition. It emerged from our efforts to minimise the social and economic impact of site closures on local communities. This has since evolved into a systematic, organisation-wide practice focussed on partnering with communities to foster throughout the lifecycle of our operations.

Can you tell us about some of RED's success stories?

In Edéa, Cameroon, we're using local suppliers and working with local authorities and partners to upgrade the capabilities of small and medium enterprises, also known as SMEs. We also partner with non-government organisations to provide micro-financing for entrepreneurs and for rural pico or small-scale hydro projects.

In Canada, our people are on the ground in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec are supporting local entrepreneurs in different ways, such as leveraging our Business Improvement methodology and connecting them with development opportunities. We're also working hard in Kitimat, British Columbia, to develop SMEs, especially among local First Nations people, and with local contractors to encourage their involvement in the Kitimat modernisation project.

In Lannemezan, France, we helped establish a local economic diversification committee that was pivotal in creating over 300 jobs in diverse sectors and renewed the community's economy after the smelter closed.

What are some of the most important lessons you've learned?

Identifying and developing viable business projects doesn't happen overnight. Every community is different and so is our involvement, therefore we need to listen and be attuned to the local reality. There is a lot that we can learn from the community. No matter what shape our involvement takes, it's always rewarding to see that we truly can help our communities improve their economic and social well-being.

How can we learn more about the Regional economic development programme?

Please visit our page on the Rio Tinto Alcan website or contact us at regecodev@riotinto.com.