History
In 1986, the Saskatoon Mountain Economic Development Authority (SMEDA) was established by Canada Employment & Immigration as part of the Community Futures Program.
In 1988 the Business Development Centre (BDC) concept was perceived by the Saskatoon Mountain Economic Development Authority to be a key economic rejuvenation and stabilization of its member communities.
The SMEDA BDC was incorporated on September 30, 1987 and opened for business September 1988. The next concept to be developed was the Enterprise Centre. Two SMEDA Enterprise Centres were opened in 1990, Beaverlodge and Sexsmith.
In 1994 the Saskatoon Mountain Economic Development Authority amalgamated with the SMEDA Business Development Centre. The SMEDA BDC then moved to co-locate with the SMEDA Enterprise Centre in Beaverlodge and share one board of directors for governance.
In 1995 the Community Futures program was transferred from Human Resources Development Canada to Western Economic Diversification.