The Calgary Stampede is not just about pancakes, rides and the rodeo for Cochrane's mayor. 

Jeff Genung is using the opportunity to keep the town top of mind for provincial leaders. 

All of the provincial officials and a lot of federal ministers are in Calgary celebrating the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. 

"It's a lot of networking, a lot of functions and on the surface it sounds like it's a lot of fun, and it can be, but it's also a time to get in front of some of those individuals who are really going to make an impact in Cochrane in the future."

Genung met with Premier Danielle Smith at a Stampede event last week to talk about funding for Cochrane. 

"As everyone here in Cochrane knows. we're such an extremely fast growing community. The province in my view needs to start to recognize those of us who are growing at a faster rate than maybe the average community in Alberta, and set aside some funding so that we can access that and get ahead of some of our infrastructure needs."

Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, Devin Dreeshen has attended some of the same functions as the mayor and Genung said, "I'm already twisting his arm on the next upgrade, and I'm hoping when they finish the 1A/22, which is still a couple years out, that they will just carry on and keep going south and widen and twin the bridge over the Bow and all the way to the end of Fireside with the twinning of 22." 

Genung said he also chatted with Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services about Big Hill Lodge and the grant funding that the Rocky View Founding will be applying for.

"Going to these events and keeping relevant with them so they recognize who you are, and keeping Cochrane front of mind is super important." 

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