Investment Readiness Study and Strategy Final Report: December 12, 2017
Prepared by:
GROWTH Alberta Investment Readiness Study & Strategy – Final Report
Table of Contents Executive Summary ...... 4 A. Introduction ...... 6 A.1 Background and Project Purpose ...... 6 A.2 Project Method ...... 6 B. Current Environment and Strategic Assets ...... 7 B.1 Land Assets ...... 7 B.2 Municipal Infrastructure ...... 8 B.3 Digital Connectivity ...... 9 B.4 Location and Transportation Infrastructure ...... 10 B.5 Historical, Cultural and Natural Assets ...... 10 B.6 Recreational Assets ...... 11 B.7 People and Partnership Assets ...... 12 B.7.1 Demographics and Labour Force ...... 12 B.7.2 Regional Cooperation, Organizations and Partnerships ...... 13 B.7.3 People and Partnership Assets – Gaps and Challenges ...... 16 B.8 Institutional Assets ...... 17 B.8.1 Education ...... 17 B.8.2 Post-secondary Education ...... 17 B.8.2 Health Care ...... 18 B.8.3 Seniors Care ...... 19 B.8.4 Institutional Assets – Gaps and Challenges ...... 20 B.9 Business Operating Costs ...... 21 B.10 Planning Documents ...... 22 B.11 Economic Development Resources ...... 22 B.11.1 Economic Development Administration Assets ...... 22 B.11.2 Marketing and Promotion ...... 23 B.12 Industry Clusters ...... 24 B.12.1 Agriculture ...... 25 B.12.2 Forestry ...... 26 B.12.3 Manufacturing ...... 27 B.12.4 Energy ...... 27 B.12.5 Tourism ...... 28 B.12.6 Mineral Extraction ...... 29 B.12.7 Construction ...... 30 B.12.8 Transportation and Logistics ...... 31 B.12.9 Waste Management and Remediation Services ...... 31 B.13 Competitive Advantages ...... 32 C. Opportunities and Priorities for Moving Forward ...... 33 C.1. Value-added Agriculture ...... 33 C.2. Energy ...... 35 C.3. Tourism ...... 36 C.4. Mineral Extraction ...... 37 C.5. Environmental Products and Services ...... 38
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D. Recommendations and Action Plan ...... 39 D.1 Recommended Strategy Focus...... 39 D.1.1. Strengthen Regional Capacity with Regards to Investment Readiness and Attraction ...... 39 D.1.2. Enhance Regional Marketing ...... 41 D.1.3. Investment Generation ...... 42 E. References ...... 44 F. Appendix ...... 46 F.1 Utilities ...... 47 F.1.1 Water Rates and Sewer Service Charges ...... 47 F.1.2 Sample Power and Natural Gas Rates ...... 48 F.2 Asset Tables ...... 49 F.2.1 Transportation Inventory ...... 49 F.2.2 Historical and Cultural Inventory ...... 52 F.2.3 Inventory of Natural Assets ...... 53 F.2.4 Recreational Assets ...... 54 F.2.5 Regional Schools ...... 56 F.3 Industry Profiles ...... 57 F.3.1 Agriculture ...... 57 F.3.2 Forestry ...... 60 F.3.3 Manufacturing ...... 61 F.3.4 Energy ...... 62 F.3.5 Tourism ...... 67
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List of Figures Figure B.1.1: Land Development ...... 7 Figure B.1.2: Municipal Water, Waste Water ...... 8 Figure B.7.1.a: Population Growth Rates 2006-2016 ...... 12 Figure B.7.1.b: Population, Median Age, and Median After-Tax Household Income by Municipality .. 13 Figure B.7.2: Partnerships, Regional Collaboration ...... 14 Figure B.9.1: 2016 Municipal Property Tax Rates ...... 21 Figure B.10.1: Planning Documents ...... 22 Figure B.11.2: Does your community have an economic development website, or an economic development section on the main community website?...... 23 Figure B.12.6: Inventory of Aggregate Assets ...... 30 Figure D.1.1: Strengthen Regional Capacity ...... 39 Figure D.1.2: Regional Marketing ...... 41 Figure D.1.3: Investment Attraction Programming ...... 42 Figure F.1.1.a: Water Rates by Municipality ...... 47 Figure F.1.1.b: Sewer Service Charges by Municipality ...... 47 Figure F.1.2: Sample Regional Power and Natural Gas Rates (February 2017) ...... 48 Figure F.2.1.a: Transportation Inventory ...... 49 Figure F.2.1.b: Alberta Average Annual Daily Traffic Counts ...... 51 Figure F.2.2: Historical and Cultural Assets...... 52 Figure F.2.3: Natural Assets ...... 53 Figure F.2.4.a: Recreational Assets by Municipality ...... 54 Figure F.2.4.b: Inventory of Golf Courses ...... 55 Figure F.2.5: Schools ...... 56 Figure F.3.1.a: Distribution of Upper Athabasca Farms by Selected Farm Type ...... 57 Figure F.3.1.b: GROWTH Alberta Agriculture Assets ...... 58 Figure F.3.2: GROWTH Alberta Forest Industry Assets ...... 60 Figure F.3.3: GROWTH Alberta Manufacturers by Sub Sector ...... 61 Figure F.3.4: Canadian Biomass Map ...... 66 Figure F.3.5: GROWTH Alberta Tourism Vendors ...... 67
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Executive Summary The GROWTH Alberta region has a number of unique and valuable assets that could be leveraged for economic development. These include: A location that borders Canada’s fifth largest metro region - Edmonton. Proximity to significant energy sources. Excellent highways / transportation corridors. Class 1 rail with CN Rail mainline and two branch lines and rail spur availability. Modern, clean, livable communities with affordable homes, good schools, and health care services. Numerous natural assets including lakes, rivers, forests, the geographical Centre of Alberta, and sand dunes that enhance the quality of life and create tourism opportunities. Economic development administration assets such as personnel, plans and studies, and partnerships. Diverse recreation assets including parks, sports facilities, and outdoor amenities. A strong cluster of seniors care and housing options. Ample energy sources including: Oil & Gas, Coal and Electricity Generation, In-Situ Coal Gasification (ISCG), and Bio-energy. A number of major pipeline corridors. Substantial gravel and aggregate deposits. A solid agriculture base in both field crops and livestock. An innovative and collaborative forestry industry. A strong concentration of construction and transportation industries. A notable cluster of Environmental Services.
Analysis of these assets also brought into focus a few gaps and challenges as follows: Community readiness, especially in terms of “shovel-ready” land, is limited although efforts are being made to address this. A high median age relative to Alberta and Canada signifying an “older” population. Population growth is slow compared to the province and country. Lower median incomes compared to Alberta. Challenges with retaining youth. Related in part to limited post-secondary options. Lack of business partnerships, chambers of commerce and other cooperative partnerships in some pockets of the region. Marketing and promotion activities are limited especially compared to neighbouring cohorts in the Edmonton metro region (e.g. Parkland County).
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Opportunities for Diversification and Economic Growth There are definitely opportunities that the GROWTH Alberta region could pursue and this study focused primarily on those higher wealth creating industries such as: Value-added Agriculture Energy Tourism Mineral and Aggregate Extraction Environmental Services
Investment Attraction Strategies Three broad investment attraction strategies were identified that use the community’s assets and strengths, and address some of the gaps identified above. 1. Strengthen Regional Capacity with Regards to Investment Readiness and Attraction a. Individual communities to conduct an investment readiness self- assessment. b. Create a regional and community profile/information package focusing on business investment. c. Continue to work with municipalities as they lay the foundation for investment attraction in terms of infrastructure: water, waste water capacity, broad band internet, land development, etc. 2. Enhance Regional Marketing a. Create an investor/investment attraction component to GROWTH Alberta and member municipalities’ websites. b. Develop industry-specific investment attraction profiles. 3. Investment Generation a. Conduct opportunity identification studies. b. Develop lead generation network. c. Coordinate targeted familiarization tours. d. Develop after-care program.
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A. Introduction A.1 Background and Project Purpose GROWTH Alberta commissioned this project to conduct an investment readiness study and strategy to assist their membership with the ability to react to and entice investment generation leads.
GROWTH Alberta is dedicated to: 1) Building capacity for regional economic development success 2) Entice entrepreneurship, investment attraction, retention and expansion 3) Cultivate and foster collaborative partnerships which support the strategic growth and economic sustainability of regions, communities and businesses
A.2 Project Method The project involved assessing the current environment which included a review and evaluation of relevant studies, information and initiatives to generate a base understanding and analysis of the GROWTH Alberta region’s local assets for economic development.
The central premise is that with an in-depth understanding of a community’s assets, economic development plans and strategies can align with, and optimize the existing characteristics to target opportunities and achieve growth.
While the assets outlined are not comprehensive, this report attempts to highlight the overall key assets.
Part two of this project included analysing the potential environment utilizing the results of the literature review, economic and demographic profile and stakeholder interviews to identify target growth sectors and investment opportunities.
Lastly, an actionable strategic action plan was developed based on the region’s assets and the requirements of potential investors.
The two main methods used to complete this study are: 1) Interviews with economic development officials, municipal leaders, business leaders, and other partners and community stakeholders; 2) Secondary research to gather information on key sectors, opportunities, and gaps, and to identify, list and describe the various assets.
A 3-day familiarization tour of the region was also conducted in September.
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B. Current Environment and Strategic Assets B.1 Land Assets “Shovel-ready” land is among the top business location decision factors. Growing local businesses are also more likely to expand if land is available. While lack of shovel-ready land has been recognized as a limitation in a number of GROWTH Alberta’s member municipalities, most members have either addressed land availability or are in the process of progressing towards having shovel-ready land.
The table below shows a brief summary of land development in member municipalities.
Figure B.1.1: Land Development
Municipality Current development Village of Clyde None, but Village owns industrial land that could be developed. Neighbouring Westlock County has an eight-acre industrial park. Town of Westlock Westgate Business Park and Residential Greenfield Estates development has been approved and is under construction. County of Barrhead Quarter-section of land near NorthPlex Manufacturing facility that is close to shovel ready. Waterline to NorthPlex that can be tapped into and 3 phase power to the property line. Green area so can build to suit. County is currently working with Tec Edmonton to find compatible business for this area. Little to no brownfield availability. Village of Wabamun Osprey Residential (old TransAlta housing site) – Phase 1 single family lots, duplexes, townhouses, and manufactured homes with double attached garage. Discovery Wharf – proposed waterfront improvement residential, recreational, commercial development. Village has no industrial land and recognizes this is a challenge. Hoping TransAlta land will become available once reclamation process complete. Lac Ste. Anne County One industrial subdivision south of Mayerthorpe. An industrial zoned private development north of Onoway. Town of Mayerthorpe “Gasoline Alley North” development south of Highway 43. About 50 acres, 20 titled highway commercial and light industrial fully serviced lots. Privately owned. Has land for expansion without having to annex. Land available along the CN Rail track for spur lines. 8 municipal titled residential lots for sale and 63 privately titled, residential lots (undeveloped) and 1 medium-high density privately titled lot. Woodlands County Alberta Newsprint Company has 500 acre site with effluent water, transloading facilities, power plant and are actively diversifying. This opportunity is packaged and being actively marketed. Light Industrial lots available for lease at the Whitecourt Airport with municipal water and sewer, power, and gas. Plan to develop more lots for lease. Town is developing Athabasca Flats residential sub-division. Town of Swan Hills The Town is working on an industrial/commercial expansion - highway commercial. Process has been slow due to slow down in economy, but aware that they do not have a lot of industrial property in town if business expansion required.
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B.2 Municipal Infrastructure Business investment gravitates to certainty. High capacity water infrastructure gives certainty that future growth can be accommodated. Again, most member municipalities have either addressed water / waste water capacity or are in the process of addressing it.
Figure B.1.2: Municipal Water, Waste Water
Municipality Current development Village of Clyde Water/waste water infrastructure is old, but is meeting current needs. Overall huge infrastructure deficit that must be addressed. Town of Westlock Town has received provincial funds to replace the water tower. County of Barrhead County accesses water from Town of Barrhead, and Hamlets of Manola and Neerlandia. Lagoon capacity is limited. Village of Wabamun As a lakefront community, Wabamun is unique in that they have municipal water systems and storm sewer (vs. septic tanks). Part of West Inter Lake District (WILD) Water Commission. Phase 1 of the regional system is complete; phase 2 is in progress. Sanitary sewer system flows into a lagoon north of Highway 16. The current lagoon has excess capacity and can serve approximately 1,300 residents. Lac Ste. Anne County Part of WILD Water Commission which is building a regional water line from Stony Plain to Onoway to Alexis First Nation so 19 municipalities will have good quality water. Darwell and North 43 Lagoon Commissions to provide reliable sewage collection and treatment systems with hamlets and summer villages in the County. Town of Mayerthorpe New production well will meet and exceed water demand. Reservoir capacity: 3749 m3. Can double the water intake if needed. Approved and scheduled for 2018: a water treatment plant upgrade (distribution). Recently completed rehabilitation of cast iron water mains; first community in Alberta to utilize innovative 3M water lining technology. New waste treatment plant and reservoir in 2015. Recently rehabilitated sewer mains utilizing Cure in Place Pipe relining technology. Sewage is treated in a lagoon system with four anaerobic cells and three long detention ponds. Effluent is discharged from the lagoon two times per year. Recipient of a 2012 Innovator Communities Award from the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association for applying innovative technology to upgrade sanitary sewer infrastructure. Woodlands County Municipal water and sewer available in parts of the County. The Whitecourt Water Treatment Plant is capable of accommodating over double their current population. It has an average daily flow rate of 5000 m3 in the winter and up to 8000 m3 per day in the summer. Whitecourt doing an upgrade to their water treatment facility. Town of Swan Hills Water plant isn’t at capacity. They are doing some upgrades. Water treatment process is designed to exceed the Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development requirements for safe drinking water. Freeman Lake is the raw water source. They did a major infrastructure assessment 5 years ago and have a funding partnership with Big Lakes County to help address infrastructure upgrades. Wastewater treatment system includes 2 settling ponds and a number of aerated lagoons.
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Water rates and sewer service charges for various communities in the GROWTH Alberta region are found in Figures F.1.1.a and F.1.1.b in the Appendix.
Power providers in the region include: ATCO, EQUS, Fortis, and TransAlta. Sample rates are provided in Figure F.1.1.2.
B.3 Digital Connectivity High-speed broadband services are critical infrastructure for investment attraction, community prosperity, and quality of life.
GROWTH Alberta, four other Regional Economic Development Alliances (REDAs) and the Northern Alberta Development Council (NADC) along with support from Alberta Economic Development and Trade (EDT) partnered to undertake a Northern Alberta Broadband Preparedness Project. The intent of the project is to look at current broadband availability throughout the region, desired availability, and options available to communities and sub-regions to enhance the availability of broadband infrastructure.
The study, conducted by Taylor Warwick Consulting Limited, finds that internet service levels meeting the new CRTC objective of 50 Mb/s down and 10 Mb/s up are available in only four of the 50 municipalities in the region:1 Mayerthorpe and Whitecourt have an asymmetric 940/10 Mb/s service from Eastlink Alberta Beach, in Lac Ste. Anne County, has a 50/10 Mb/s copper-based service from TELUS Westlock boast a symmetric 150/150 Mb/s service on TELUS fibre.
The Northern Alberta Broadband Preparedness Project outlines in detail the social and economic benefits of world-class broadband infrastructure with regards to wealth creation and the knowledge-based economy: education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, agriculture, government services, employment, industry, and collaboration.
Participation by GROWTH Alberta in this project indicates that while not all member municipalities are “investment-ready” in terms of high-speed broadband, they are exploring their current situation and ability to expand their capacity.
1 GROWTH Alberta. Northern Alberta Broadband Preparedness Project. prepared by: Taylor Warwick Consulting Ltd. August 29, 2017. Schollie Research & Consulting Page 9 GROWTH Alberta Investment Readiness Study & Strategy – Final Report
B.4 Location and Transportation Infrastructure
Location, excellent highway and other transportation corridors are powerful assets for the GROWTH Alberta region for all its major industries: agriculture, energy, manufacturing, forestry, and tourism.
A summary of the transportation infrastructure is found in Figure F.2.1.a in the Appendix and highway traffic counts in Figure F.2.1.b.
B.5 Historical, Cultural and Natural Assets Portions of the GROWTH Alberta region have a rich history. For example: The hamlet of Fort Assiniboine was once used as a transportation and supply point during the Hudson’s Bay era between 1823 and 1877. The Fort Assiniboine Museum is the second oldest fort in Alberta. The Lac Ste. Anne Mission is a national historic site; it was the first permanent Catholic mission west of Winnipeg. It is part of a world- renowned pilgrimage site on the southern shores of Lac Ste. Anne. Other sacred buildings are found on the site. The George Pegg Garden was the province’s first declared historic resource and is a protected site. Trapper Lea's cabin is the oldest historical site in the Swan Hills' Campground. In 1943, Lea was proclaimed the "wolf king" of Alberta for having trapped a record number of wolves.
Several festivals, rodeos, fairs are other activities are held throughout the GROWTH Alberta region. The Village of Wabamun is seeing a growing artisan community and has an art gallery.
The community of Neerlandia has a strong Dutch heritage and the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation is home of the most north western Siouan Tribe of North America.
There are numerous natural assets including lakes and rivers, in the region that add to the regional quality of life and make it a great region for tourism. The tourism industry is discussed later in this report.
An inventory of some of these assets are found in Figures F.2.2 and F.2.3 in the Appendix.
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B.6 Recreational Assets While the main purpose of the majority of recreational assets is to serve and improve the quality of life for local citizens, these facilities also help to attract, increase and serve visitor / tourism traffic. They provide venues for visiting sports teams, competitors, and larger events.
There is spin-off that comes from attracting tourists who spend money in the local economy, as well as, it is often a first point of contact to showcase your community for many visitors. Recreational facilities and clubs provide opportunities to attract bigger events, tournaments, etc. to a community.
For example, the Swan Hills Dirt Riders have hosted Canadian Motocross Association sanctioned races and Western Canadian Amateur Nationals at their motocross track, and the Village of Clyde ball diamonds were used for the 55+ Games.
Swan Hills Dirt Riders Motocross Track
Figure F.2.4 contains a listing of some recreational assets by municipality. They include: community halls, skating arenas, aquatic centres, ski hills, curling rinks, recreational centres, riding arenas, race tracks, biking trails, spray parks, snowmobile trails and many more.
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B.7 People and Partnership Assets B.7.1 Demographics and Labour Force Population growth for the GROWTH Alberta region overall is below both the provincial and national averages between 2006 and 2016. Since population growth is viewed as an economic development indicator, this slow growth is less than positive.
Figure B.7.1.a: Population Growth Rates 2006-2016
14.0%
12.0% 11.6% 10.0% 10.7%
8.0%
5.9% 6.0% 4.3% 5.0% 4.0% 3.2% 2.0%
0.0% 2011 2016
GROWTH ALBERTA CANADA
Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census of Population and Townfolio calculations
Despite this slow population growth, it is noteworthy that the three counties – Barrhead, Lac Ste. Anne, and Woodlands – all experienced growth unlike many other rural areas.
The median age (the age at which half the population is older and half is younger) for nearly all the municipalities in the GROWTH Alberta region is higher than the Alberta median age of 36.7 and higher than the Canadian median age of 41.2 years
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Figure B.7.1.b: Population, Median Age, and Median After-Tax Household Income by Municipality
Median After-tax 2011-16 Income of Municipality 2016 2011 % Change Median Age Households Village of Clyde 430 503 -14.5% 41.8 $60,224 Town of Westlock 5,101 4,823 5.8% 45.4 $52,338 County of Barrhead 6,288 6,096 3.1% 41.0 $71,607 Village of Wabamun 682 661 3.2% 44.5 $72,960 Lac Ste. Anne County 10,899 10,260 6.2% 45.5 $72,294 Town of Mayerthorpe 1,320 1,398 -5.6% 46.5 $52,821 Woodlands County 4,754 4,306 10.4% 42.0 $89,536 Town of Swan Hills 1,301 1,465 -11.2% 39.1 $81,216 Westlock County 7,220 7,644 -5.5% 43.2 $68,974 Town of Barrhead 4,579 4,432 3.3% 45.7 $55,680 Town of Onoway 1,029 1,039 -1.0% 41.7 $76,480 Town of Whitecourt 10,204 9,605 6.2% 32.3 $86,950 Big Lakes County 5,672 5,912 -4.1% 40.6 $63,470 Alberta 4,067,175 3,645,257 11.6% 36.7 $80,300 Canada 35,151,728 33,476,688 5.0% 41.2 $61,348
Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census of Population
B.7.2 Regional Cooperation, Organizations and Partnerships Partnerships are important assets for economic development as they increase the reach and intensity of economic development activities. Partnerships leverage money and people to ramp-up efforts toward a common economic development goal.
Value from partnerships comes from involvement, commitment, and contribution. Economic development partnerships in particular weaken when partners adopt the “what have you done for me lately” thinking when in fact the opposite approach: “what can I bring to this partnership to make it successful,” is what is required for individual member success.
In addition to the GROWTH Alberta Regional Economic Development Association (REDA), there are a number of partnerships and regional collaborations happening thoughout the region.
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Figure B.7.2: Partnerships, Regional Collaboration
Organization Description and Economic Development Impact Barrhead Regional County of Barrhead, Town of Barrhead. Water Commission Provides water services for the Town and County. Capital Region Towns of Barrhead, Mayerthorpe, Onoway, Swan Hills, Whitecourt, Village of Assessment Services Wabamun plus 25 other municipalities. Commission Inter-municipal group provides “one-stop” top-quality assessment services. Chambers of Barrhead & District Chamber of Commerce; Swan Hills Chamber of Commerce Commerce; Wabamun & District Chamber of Commerce; Whitecourt & District Chamber of Commerce. They advocate for policy change to enhance the business environment, encourage commerce, and support small businesses with member services and marketing opportunities plus provide networking opportunities, guest speakers, and expertise. Community Futures CFDC Tawatinaw; CFDC Yellowhead East. Development They have a community economic development mandate and as such they Corporation (CFDC) initiate studies and they can partner with other organizations. They also serve the small business community with programs, workshops, consulting, and financing. Darwell Lagoon Provides wastewater services for Lac Ste. Anne County, the Summer Village of Commission Silver Sands, and the Summer Village of South View. Highway 43 East Lac Ste. Anne County, Town of Mayerthorpe plus the Town of Onoway, Waste Commission Alberta Beach, and 12 summer villages. Operates a regional landfill site. North 43 Lagoon Lac Ste. Anne County plus 3 summer villages. Commission Provides wastewater services to Lac Ste. Anne County, plus 3 summer villages. The Commission aims to provide a safer and more reliable sewage collection and treatment system than septic systems, which run the risk of failing over time and damaging water supplies. West Inter Lake The Commission is building a regional water line from Stony Plain to Onoway District (WILD) Water to Alexis First Nation (throughout the GROWTH Alberta region) so 19 Commission municipalities throughout the GROWTH Alberta region will have good quality water. Westlock Regional Village of Clyde, Town of Westlock, Westlock County. Waste Management Operates the Westlock Regional Landfill. Commission Westlock Regional Village of Clyde, Town of Westlock, Westlock County. Water Services Provide water services to Westlock County, the Town of Westlock, and the Commission Village of Clyde. WILD Alberta Promotes regional tourism in North Central Alberta working with visitors, tourism operators, municipalities, community groups and other regional stakeholders to showcase WILD Alberta as a destination. Whitecourt Business This partnership identifies common workforce challenges and current labour Support Network market trends. They collaborate ways to address workplace challenges as a group and through building partnerships. Key partners include: Alberta Government, Community Futures Yellowhead East, Woodlands County, Town of Whitecourt, Whitecourt & District Chamber of Commerce, Millar Western Forest Products, Northern Gateway Public Schools, Living Waters Catholic Regional Division, Computer Guyz. Whitecourt Town of Whitecourt, Woodlands County. Woodlands Tourism Helps to promote of one of the area’s key sectors: tourism. Share a website.
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Municipality Description and Economic Development Impact Village of Clyde, Town Recently completed a Regional Collaboration Study (Transitions Solutions Inc., of Westlock, Westlock July 2017) with recommendations for regional collaboration among the three County municipalities. These three municipalities also partner on a physician recruitment program. Town of Mayerthorpe 2017 Strategic Directives Plan acknowledges COLLABORATION is one of their strategic directives. Town of Mayerthorpe Applied for and received funding for CARES grant: Workforce Capacity & / Lac Ste. Anne County Recruitment Study. Applied and received matched funding for CARES grant to undertake a study to examine opportunities to locate a small agricultural processing facility. Joint attendance at business shows to promote tourism and economic development. Village of Wabamun / Agreements and partnerships in place for Fire Services and Emergency Parkland County Management. Woodlands County / Established a tax sharing agreement so they cost share tax investment. Town of Whitecourt Have joint agreements with tourism, municipal sharing, other. Work jointly on numerous economic development initiatives and tourism. Town of Whitecourt, Chamber of Commerce, and County do business visits including joint visitations to Calgary head offices.
Another interesting partnership held in the Whitecourt area is a Career and Education Expo which showcases regional opportunities to students and helps with youth retention. Over 1,500 grade 8 to 12 students from the area attend. Representatives from post-secondary institutions, regional businesses and local municipalities set up booths. Students can submit resumes at the expo and some are hired.
Some of the communities have regional collaboration written right into their strategic plans or Municipal Development Plans indicating that this is a strategy to which they are committed. For example: “The Town supports, whenever possible, joint economic development initiatives with the Municipal District of Big Lakes and other municipalities in the region.” Excerpt for the Town of Swan Hills’ Municipal Development Plan 2012. “Strategic Statement: To provide more services by accessing greater resources, allowing new projects, and addressing stakeholder needs at a shared/competitive cost… Goal 2: To form collaborative alliances with other small urbans in the region.” Excerpt for the Town of Mayerthorpe’s 2017 Strategic Directives Plan.
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B.7.3 People and Partnership Assets – Gaps and Challenges Typically a younger population is considered advantageous from an economic development perspective for many reasons: A lower median age suggests a balance between working aged population and the retired and/ or economically dependent population. Positive impacts for the size of the workforce, and the vibrancy of the communities’ schools and other infrastructure, and is generally indicative of a community with growth potential. Young populations are also crucial for supporting a vibrant retail sector since they establish new households.
School enrolments are one of the items that can be affected by an older population. Regional communities have already seen small school closures and consolidations. Uncertainty regarding the future of small rural schools along with school closures is generally not positive with regards to investment attraction.
It also provides some uncertainty with regards to access to a workforce. Sixty-five percent of the GROWTH Alberta region’s population is working age (age 15-64), compared to the provincial average of 68.5%.
Both Wabamun and Westlock, on the eastern edge of the GROWTH region, are at the outer edge of the Edmonton / St. Albert / Spruce Grove / Stony Plain commuter- shed. This can be an advantage for attracting metro employees to commute and/or relocate to the region for higher paying jobs. However, it is not an advantage for those employers seeking general labour.
Another gap is that, with exception of communities on the western side of the GROWTH Alberta region (Towns of Swan Hills and Whitecourt plus Woodlands County), communities in the GROWTH Alberta region have lower income demographics than Alberta as a whole.
Income levels are critical factors in residential growth, and retail and service business growth and expansion decisions by major chains. The one upside to lower income levels is that this may be indicative of a lower cost of labour in the area. Labour cost is of prime interest to companies looking to expand or locate in the region.
Lack of active Chambers of Commerce or related business associations in communities like Mayerthorpe and Westlock can be seen as a weakness to outside investors. It might signal that there is a lack of business cooperation, support and/or lack of unified voice when it comes to business advocacy.
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B.8 Institutional Assets Institutional assets are critical for economic development since they add to the quality of life, general attractiveness, and sustainability of a community. In many cases, institutions often employ highly educated, well-paid professionals that contribute to the vitality of a community. These assets suggest a balanced community that is able to support the needs of various demographic groups in the population.
B.8.1 Education All stakeholders interviewed acknowledged quality primary and secondary schools in their communities along with good working relationships with the local school boards.
Three school divisions are headquartered in the GROWTH Alberta region. The head office for Pembina Hills Regional School Division No.7 is located in the town of Barrhead; this division serves the north and eastern portion of the GROWTH Alberta region. As part of the Pembina Hills School Division, the Alberta Distance Education Centre (ADLC) provides distance and distributed education services to primary and secondary students throughout the province, and is also based in the Barrhead.
Central Office for Northern Gateway Public Schools is located in Whitecourt and this division serves those communities along Highway 43. Additionally, Living Waters Catholic Regional Division No. 42 is based in Whitecourt and provides Catholic education via two schools in Whitecourt.
Schools are listed by municipality in Figure F.1.5.
There are various Community Adult Learning Programs throughout the region: Whitecourt / Lac Ste. Anne Adult Learning, Westlock & District Adult Learning Centre Society, Blue Heron Support Services Association. These programs offer adult literacy and foundational learning programs, English Language Learning, and other adult learning programs.
B.8.2 Post-secondary Education Norquest College has a campus in Whitecourt and offers diploma and certificate programs, along with foundational studies in a range of subject areas including: Community Studies and Human Services Careers, Business Careers, Health Careers, English Language Training, and Academic Upgrading. Norquest College is able to partner with other organizations and institutions to provide post-secondary programs in the GROWTH Alberta region.
Additionally, the schools, school boards, and industry have implemented some very successful dual credit, Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP), and Work Experience Programs. For example:
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Oil & Gas Production Operator dual credit courses are offered with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), schools in Whitecourt and Fox Creek and Shell Canada. Also in cooperation with Shell Canada an Energy Certification course was offered and students learned about pigging, dehydrators, etc. Students got to spend a day at the Shell Gas Plant. Norquest College’s Health Care Aid (HCA) course is offered in Mayerthorpe at the high school. About 24 kids graduate with their HCA before they are even done high school. All hired because they are rural. Students in Mayerthorpe can work on their Water / Waste Water apprenticeship. NAIT implemented a Pulp & Paper Operator dual credit course. The Barrhead Composite High School always tries to connect an employer to the trade the student is studying.
Northern Gateway Public Schools, in consultation with local industry, learned that several regional employers need their workforce to have 1) a high school diploma, 2) a class 5 driver’s license, and 3) safety certificates. The school division is working with the Alberta Motor Association (AMA) to help their student obtain a class 5 driver’s license, and they are putting kids through safety training.
CFDC Yellowhead East, Alberta Labour, the Town of Whitecourt and Woodlands County partnered with Northern Gateway Public Schools in the summer of 2017 to offer boot camps to expose students to regional opportunities. Camps included: automotive, art, business enterprise, CISCO networking academy, coding an app, construction, culinary arts, medical minds, robotics, and safety certification.
Over 30 youth went through nine safety courses and came out with safety certifications including: H2S Alive, Advance Fire Extinguisher, Ladder Safety, Flagging, WHMIS.
B.8.2 Health Care Stakeholders interviewed for this project acknowledged great access to health care amenities and identified these as a strategic advantage. Physician recruitment programs have been quite successful in attracting talent, and for the most part these rural communities are not experiencing a physician shortage.
Whitecourt and Woodlands County have done a lot of work to recruit international doctors and they have been successful in retaining them as long-term residents as well. These physicians get the Northern Living Allowances. Whitecourt has a hospital, two medical clinics, dental, and other services.
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The Westlock hospital is a big employer in that community and draws in people from all over province. They have a resident orthopedic surgeon, who is a leader in his field. The Town of Westlock, the Village of Clyde, and Westlock County have been successful at recruiting doctors, including younger physicians, for their two clinics.
The level of specialized care is fairly notable for the rural communities in GROWTH Alberta. Barrhead has a hospital with an Emergency Room, Operating Room, three surgeons, two anesthetists, orthodontics, a local obstetrician, and a Chemo Treatment Centre along with two medical clinics and three levels of seniors care.
In Mayerthorpe, the hospital is one of the largest sub-sectors and health occupations experienced strong growth between 2006 and 2011. The Mayerthorpe Hospital draws people from the region to the hospital. It has 25 active beds to provide essential health services to the catchment area. Mayerthorpe has retained its doctors long-term and has been successful in new recruitment.
Swan Hills, has a fully functioning hospital with two full-time doctors. Specialists are brought in monthly.
Mayerthorpe and Whitecourt are members of the McLeod River Primary Care Network (PCN) and Westlock is part of the Aspen Primary Care Network. PCNs bring together local physicians and other health care professionals to develop solutions that meet the needs of the local community.
Supplemental service providers such as dentists, chiropractors, physiotherapists, registered massage therapists, and optometrists are located in larger communities in the GROWTH Alberta region.
Health care occupations make up 10% of the regional labour force.
B.8.3 Seniors Care Given the higher than provincial average (36.7) median age in virtually all communities in the GROWTH Alberta region, it is not surprising to find a good slate of seniors care services ranging from lodge accommodations to continuing care. Eastview Manor in the Village of Clyde has self-contained seniors units. Run by Homeland Housing. Homeland Housing has Pembina Lodge, Smithfield Lodge, Legion Villa, Parkview Place, Parkview Plaza, and Pembina & Smithfield in the Town of Westlock. The Village of Wabamun has Foster Manor - independent living with four attached bungalows and Park View Manor - two 2-bedroom and four 1- bedroom attached affordable housing bungalows. Run by the Meridian Foundation. Extendicare Mayerthorpe has 50-beds offering continuing care, dementia care, day care, and respite.
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Pleasant View Lodge in Mayerthorpe offers 50-units of independent and supportive living care. Run by Lac Ste. Anne Foundation. 30 long-term care beds are available in the auxiliary wing at the Mayerthorpe Health Care Centre. Spruce View Seniors Lodge in Whitecourt has 50 lodge units. Operated by Lac Ste. Anne Foundation. Coming soon to Whitecourt is Christiansen Developments’ “The Mews” which will include 50 Alberta Health Services fun ded Designated Supportive Living studio suites. Barrhead & District Social Housing Association operates two lodges. Hillcrest contains 91 rooms and Klondike Place contains 40 suites.
B.8.4 Institutional Assets – Gaps and Challenges Lack of post-secondary institutions was identified as a regional gap. Increasing regional post-secondary opportunities would be a good strategy for labour force attraction, development, and retention. An increased post-secondary presence would: make the GROWTH Alberta region more attractive for newcomers; attract newcomers to the region; help develop the current labour force; and most importantly training in-region would mean that people, particularly young people, would not have to leave the region for training and potentially not return.
As previously mentioned, there have been some excellent partnerships with schools, school boards, post-secondary and industry in terms of providing work experience, dual credit and RAP programming at the high school level in a manner that is specific to the regional industry. This has been very beneficial in: helping students to see the opportunities that exist locally; increasing the skill set and training for those graduates who are not intending on leaving the region – especially many of the local Indigeneous students; helping industry access a skilled workforce.
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Unfortunately Alberta Education recently reduced the limit on the number of credit enrolment unit (CEU) or funded credits, from 60 to 45 per student per year. This reduction hurts the ability of school boards to continue offering these programs as they are not financially viable.
Lastly, some communities do very well marketing themselves as retirement communities and there are some great assets in the GROWTH Alberta region for supporting an ageing population. However, to have a healthy demographic and economic balance, economic development efforts should focus on industry growth and development to attract younger families to communities.
B.9 Business Operating Costs Cost factors such as taxes, occupancy, labour, and construction costs rank among the most important factor for business location decisions.
The business licensing fee is relatively low, if it is even exists, in the majority of GROWTH Alberta communities.
Ensuring that municipalities are cost-competitive makes them more attractive to businesses which encourage current businesses to stay and grow locally, plus help attract new businesses.
Figure B.9.1: 2016 Municipal Property Tax Rates
Municipality Residential / Non Farmland Residential Village of Clyde 9.0 18.0 Town of Westlock 8.6962 19.3906 County of Barrhead 5.702 16.9012 Village of Wabamun 5.5 16.0 Lac Ste. Anne County 4.389 18.691 Town of Mayerthorpe 9.9618 19.523 Woodlands County 2.7452 9.7749 Town of Swan Hills 10.31 20.85 Westlock County 4.5785 26.1955 Town of Barrhead 8.5882 14.1792 Town of Onoway 5.70712 15.57637 Town of Whitecourt 4.919 8.2742 Big Lakes County 4.25 14.5 Parkland County 3.6957 7.3914
Source: Alberta Municipal Affairs
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B.10 Planning Documents Planning documents typically demonstrate a proactive attitude toward planning, and contain information and foundational frameworks for guiding economic development. Municipal Development Plans (MDP) and Intermunicipal Development Plans (IDP) form the bedrock for economic development.
Our scan revealed the following planning documents in place:
Figure B.10.1: Planning Documents
Municipality Current Planning Documents Village of Clyde Land Use Bylaw posted at website; dated 2008 Town of Westlock MDP, and Land Use Bylaws are posted at website IDP with Westlock County, but expired County of Barrhead IDP with Town, but dated IDP for Lac Le Nonne shared with LSAC – probably in need an update Village of Wabamun MDP and Land Use Bylaw posted at website Municipal Sustainability Plan All three documents are slated to be updated in 2018/19 Parkland County: Wabamun Lake Sub Watershed Management Plan Lac Ste. Anne County MDP, IMPs, and Land Use Bylaws are all posted at website Town of Mayerthorpe MDP and Land Use Bylaw are posted at website; current as of 2007 Newly developed Economic Development Strategy posted at website Municipal Sustainability Plan, Strategic Directives Plan, Southeast Highway 43 Area Structure Plan, and Parks, Recreation and Culture Strategic Master Plan at website Woodlands County MDP at website IDP with Town of Whitecourt at website Town of Swan Hills MDP at website According to Viability Review, Land Use Bylaw adopted in 2012
B.11 Economic Development Resources
B.11.1 Economic Development Administration Assets Five of GROWTH Alberta’s eight member communities have been progressive by having an Economic Development Officer (EDO) position and it bears highlighting that this is a critical economic development asset. Economic development is a broad role but generally includes strategic planning, marketing, and liaising with stakeholders and investors to foster economic activity in a municipality or region. It is an important and time-consuming role. In growing municipalities, the CAO is typically too busy to devote the needed attention to this role.
Some communities also have economic development committees to help guide and implement, however; a number of these committees are currently inactive.
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B.11.2 Marketing and Promotion Community Website Review and Evaluation Community or economic development websites are often a starting point for investors, visitors, and third party site selectors. Most municipal websites are good at providing information for current residents, but tend to be much less effective at promoting their community / region to investors and potential businesses.
Figure B.11.2 below shows an analysis of member websites with regards to economic development and investment attraction.
Figure B.11.2: Does your community have an economic development website, or an economic development section on the main community website?
Municipality Website Assessment GROWTH Alberta In the process of updating. Village of Clyde Has a development section with links to development information, building permits and business license application, but no indication of the local economy. Town of Westlock Nice modern appearance. Appears to have good planning in place. Has an economic development section, but no indication of what economic drivers are other than housing. County of Barrhead Website has a dated appearance, but provides good information regarding economy, industry, key employers. Links to Economic Indicators Package, Community Investment Readiness Brochure, Land / Development Venture. Connection to GROWTH Alberta. Village of Wabamun Nice modern appearance. Business section is a business directory only. Link to lots available for sale and Osprey Developments. No indication of the local economy. Lac Ste. Anne County Nice modern appearance. Section titled economic development. Obvious that tourism and agriculture are key components of economy, but these sections are not targeting investment attraction. Town of Mayerthorpe Has the “goods” but execution is disjointed and not targeted. “Goods” include: Business Attraction section includes Economic Indicators report, couple videos of successful businesses, a Business Attraction package, Industry Opportunity prospectus, Hotel Opportunity, Infill Tax Rebates, Vitalization Grant, Infrastructure Payment & Security Program, Subdivision Tax Refund Program, plus a link to available land. Connection to GROWTH Alberta. Woodlands County Economic Indicators report on home page. Has an Investment Information section with links to Whitecourt & Woodlands County Economic Development Package plus ANC Site Hosting Prospectus which are great documents. Could have a better economic development / investment attraction component to website. Town of Swan Hills No economic development or business section, but does provide some data under Demographics (highways, largest employer, key industry). Website has a tourism section. Could definitely provide more information regarding economy, industry, key employer and investment attraction.
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Community Profile A Community Profile is an essential tool for investment attraction. It is often used as a starting point to determine if a community will remain a potential location for investment. Similar to municipal websites, most community profiles do a good job listing educational, healthcare, and recreational amenities, but they are not investment attraction oriented.
Factors that are important in the location selection process are: Market characteristics Costs (labour, taxes, transportation and other) Taxes (corporate taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, etc.) Labour (costs, availability, quality, etc.) Natural resources (availability and quality of raw materials) Land availability (costs, size, site readiness, etc.) Infrastructure (water/waste water systems, utilities and rates, high speed telecommunications) Policy structure (incentives if any) Quality of Life Business support and promotion
A community profile is a great place to share the “flavor” of your local economy in terms of industry, key employers, innovation / success stories, new investments, regional cooperation, etc.
Economic Development Strategy The Town of Mayerthorpe and Woodlands County both have recent economic development strategies.
Economic prosperity is part of community sustainability and it is important for communities have a strategic economic development plan. Economic development strategies help communities guide where they want to go and how they are going to get there. It also serves as a tool for looking at progress and performance measurement.
B.12 Industry Clusters The key industry clusters identified in the GROWTH Alberta region include: Agriculture Energy Manufacturing Forestry Tourism
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It was also identified that the region has a rich source of gravel and sand deposits, therefore, we also included mineral extraction. As a result of these strong resource- based clusters, there are strong supporting clusters in terms of: Construction Transportation and Logistics Waste Management and Remediation Services
Each of these industries is explored in more depth in the next few pages.
It is also important to note that interviews with stakeholders identified that there are pockets of “entrepreneurialism” throughout the GROWTH Alberta region. It is obvious that citizens have some self-reliant attitudes evidenced by very successful co-operatives: Connections Coffee House (Sangudo) Neerlandia Coop Pembina West Coop (Barrhead, Mayerthorpe) Sangudo Custom Meats Westlock Seed Cleaning Coop Westlock Terminals
Co-operatives tend to be created by groups of people who see a need for a good or service in their community. An advantage of co-operatives is that the money stays local which helps to build local wealth and increase economic activity.
B.12.1 Agriculture Agriculture is staple industry in the GROWTH Alberta region. Canola, wheat and barley are the primary crops grown in the region and it has a strong livestock sector which ranges from family farms to intensive livestock operations.
The GROWTH Alberta region is located in the Upper Athabasca land-use region. Figure F.3.1.a in Appendix A lists the distribution of Upper Athabasca farms by farm type.
The agriculture sector is a large economic driver for the towns of Westlock, Barrhead and Mayerthorpe as they are regional service centres for agriculture. There are a number of equipment dealers in these communities, UFAs, and a Peavey Mart.
Some of the regional assets in the region are listed in Figure F.3.1.b.
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Additionally, there are a number of active agriculture societies throughout the region and 4-H programs - an organization that supports positive youth development, and create opportunities for young leaders to grow and thrive. While today’s 4-H is focused on citizenship, healthy living, science, engineering, and technology programs, it was founded with the purpose of instructing rural youth in improved farming and farm-homemaking practices, and still has a strong rural component to it.
Likewise, one of the roles of agriculture societies is connect Albertans and the agricultural industry.
The GROWTH Alberta region also has a presence of value added agriculture businesses which are listed in Figure F.3.3: GROWTH Alberta Manufacturers by Sub Sector.
In 2007, one of the regional weaknesses identified in the Agricultural Diversification Opportunities in the GROWTH Alberta Region, prepared by Toma and Bouma Management Consultants, was the “local agricultural outlook, poor local response/attitude to change.” Ten years later, it appears this challenge still exists as there is still some reluctance to embrace change.
B.12.2 Forestry The western portion of the GROWTH Alberta region has an active forestry industry centred around Whitecourt and Woodlands County. The key players are innovative and their collaborative business model has them working together to manage the fibre basket. Key players include: Alberta Newsprint Company (ANC) Blue Ridge Lumber Millar Western Forest Products Timeau Forest Products
The players collaborate on items like worker safety and forestry careers.
A major challenge currently facing the Alberta forestry industry is the caribou range plan mandated by the federal government under the federal Species At Risk Act. The Province of Alberta needs to manage 65 per cent of critical caribou habitat by October 2017. The Province’s proposed strategy includes permanently protecting an additional 1.8 million hectares of caribou range.2 Municipalities in northwestern Alberta are concerned these plans to protect caribou ranges could hurt local industry.3
2 Alberta. Alberta leads Canada on woodland caribou protection. June 8, 2016. Retrieved from https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=41892E6E8E071-F5BD-84CC-6CF522ACE9658E41 3 Leitch, Scott. Northwest Alberta councillors worry province’s caribou plan will hurt forestry industry. Edmonton Journal. July 3, 2017. Schollie Research & Consulting Page 26 GROWTH Alberta Investment Readiness Study & Strategy – Final Report
B.12.3 Manufacturing Nearly 5% of the labour force in the GROWTH Alberta region has occupations in manufacturing. This is comparable to the provincial average where the manufacturing industry accounted for 5.1% of total employment in Alberta in 2016.
Manufacturing matters because manufacturers sell their products to other parts of the country and world. It is one of the top three wealth creating industries. It takes goods of lower value, adds knowledge and labour, and creates higher value. According to ATB Financial, manufacturing has an economic multiplier of $3.15 for every dollar in total output.
It is also estimated that two-thirds of all research & development is done by manufacturing.
Additionally manufacturing often employs some higher skilled positions such as welders, machinists, engineers, and accountants. The industry also tends to offer high pay to production workers plus employs a disproportionate share of workers without college/university degrees.
A list of regional manufacturers by sub-sector is listed in Figure F.2.3.
B.12.4 Energy The world needs more energy and Alberta is an energy leader with a diverse resource portfolio that includes: oil, oil sands, natural gas, minerals, and coal, as well as unconventional resources including shale gas, coal bed methane and tight oil and gas.
Alberta’s large oil sands reserves provide producers with one of the world’s most stable, proven and secure supplies of oil available. Other nonconventional supplies of natural gas continue to emerge and help offset declines in conventional production. Technologies for extracting these non-conventional resources have improved in over the years, which helps companies’ lower costs and increase production.
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The GROWTH Alberta region is strategically located with respect to the energy industry. Section F.3.4 describes the GROWTH Alberta region’s energy industry in more detail. The region is diversified in terms of the following energy sources: Oil & Gas Coal and Electricity Generation In-Situ Coal Gasification (ISCG) Bio-energy and Biomass
The oil and gas industry is currently plagued by sinking world crude oil prices and weak natural gas prices; however, the province and GROWTH Alberta region are well positioned to bounce back once the cyclical natures of commodity prices recover. Access to tidewater has also limited the profit margins and growth potential of Canada’s oil and gas industry.
B.12.5 Tourism The GROWTH Alberta region boasts a great variety of natural, cultural, historical, and recreational assets that provide a strong foundation for a vibrant tourism industry. It is ideally located to draw visitors from the Edmonton Metropolitan Area, with a population of over one million.
Two major “rubber tire” tourism travel corridors go through the GROWTH Alberta region – the Yellowhead Highway to Jasper National Park, and the Canamex Trade Corridor / “Gateway to Alaska.” These corridors bring visitors from the US, Canadian provinces, Alberta, and other international destinations. Jasper National Park receives over 2 million visitors annually.
Visitors to Alberta’s third largest lake, Slave Lake, typically travel through the GROWTH Alberta region to access this lake. The “Grizzly Trail,” Highway 33, from Gunn, through Barrhead, Fort Assiniboine and Swan Hills is one of the key routes to Slave Lake. It is also the shortest route to the Peace Country. WILD Alberta is proposing revitalization of this tourism corridor.
Mayerthorpe is at the northern end of Highway 22 “The Cowboy Trail.” “The Cowboy Trail” is a scenic route along Canada’s Rocky Mountain Foothills and features horseback trail rides, farm and ranch vacations, guest ranches, western themed attractions, accommodations, adventures, historic sites and western themed shopping.
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Wabamun Lake is the biggest, cleanest lake in the Capital region. Its tourism assets include: the Wabamun Provincial Park, the Village’s Lakefront Park, the boat launch, and the private marina, which is capable of launching and mooring large sailboats. With the departure of TransAlta from the village of Wabamun, the Village is looking to leverage their tourism assets for growth and an increased tax base.
The GROWTH Alberta region is the location for the trademarked WILD Alberta – Your Adventure Playground, a destination management organization. WILD Alberta promotes tourism in the GROWTH Alberta region along with training opportunities, and tools for both communities and operators to use. There is no charge to be a member of WILD Alberta. WILD Alberta has knowledgeable, connected and certified staff including a Certified Destination Management Executive, which is the tourism industry’s highest individual educational achievement.
Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world. According to Travel Alberta, for every dollar spent in the tourism industry, another $3.50 of direct and indirect spending is injected back into the community.
B.12.6 Mineral Extraction Gravel and aggregate deposits, a valuable industrial mineral resource, is found throughout the GROWTH Alberta region. Sand and gravel is used in road construction, ground fill, backfill in mines, railway beds, ice control on roads, and they are aggregate components of asphalt and concrete.
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A study completed for the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC) identified that the Upper Athabasca land use region, of which GROWTH Alberta is part of, has a gravel supply that is 1.6 times that of the population and high hectares of gravel per kilometer of major road. About 13% of provincial aggregates can be found within the Upper Athabasca region. In total, it has an approximate extractable deposit area of 451,045.3 hectares, but only 84,461.8 hectares (19%) is gravel dominated. This deposit contributes to 19% of available Sand and Gravel Deposits with Aggregate Potential estimated gravel, the second highest of the deposit area compared to all other regions.4
Figure B.12.6: Inventory of Aggregate Assets
Municipality Key Players County of Barrhead Barrhead Sand & Gravel Inc. Barrhead Transit Mix and River Valley Crushing Border Paving Brost Aggregate and Equipment Inland Cement Stony Valley Contracting Ltd. $12 million sand and gravel proposal Lac Ste. Anne County Alberta Rock Products Onoway Pit Mc Millan Sand & Gravel Village of Wabamun Lots of gravel pits in area. Lafarge, Burnco are largest players. EGT Sand & Gravel Mixcor-Bamber Scorpion Aggregates - Fallis Pit Whissell Pit Town of Westlock Curley's Transport & Equipment Ltd. Lafarge – laydown yards Woodlands County Woodlands County is recognized for its large gravel and aggregate deposits. The County has created bylaws for future gravel and aggregate developments to accommodate other rich aggregate deposits in the area. Silver Creek Windfall Gravel Pit operated by Standard General transports approximately 9,000 tonnes of product per day to the Edmonton area by rail. Paul Flasha Contracting Ltd TriJet Services Inc.
B.12.7 Construction GROWTH Alberta is home to approximately 515 businesses involved in the construction industry. This industry is the region’s largest cluster with 17.5% of businesses and nearly 11% of the regional labour force. Alberta's construction sector serves all industries of the economy; the energy industry will remain one of the main driving forces of growth.
4 Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties. Got Gravel? Strategies to Secure Gravel for Rural Municipalities Part 2 - Technical Report. October 30, 2013. Schollie Research & Consulting Page 30 GROWTH Alberta Investment Readiness Study & Strategy – Final Report
B.12.8 Transportation and Logistics It is natural that a strong transportation and logistics sector exists in the GROWTH Alberta region to support the resource-based economies of forestry, energy, agriculture, gravel extraction, coal, etc.
There are over 300 companies operating in GROWTH Alberta region in the transportation industry5 and nearly 6% of the regional labour force is in the transportation industry.
Alberta’s transportation and warehousing sector employs more than 130,000 people and contributes $11.2 billion to the economy annually. About 90% of Alberta’s exports are shipped to the US; 5.5% of Alberta exports go to Asia-Pacific markets.6
B.12.9 Waste Management and Remediation Services Within the energy industry, there is a small cluster of Waste Management and Remediation Services: Alberta Special Waste Treatment Facility / Swan Hills Waste Treatment GFL Environmental Inc. Gibson’s Energy, Mayerthorpe Halliburton Onoway DFF Newalta Green Court - a pipeline connected Waste Processing Facility Secure Energy - Judy Creek Full Service Terminal and Kaybob Standalone Water Disposal Facility (SWD) Tervita - Treatment Recovery and Disposal Facilities plus Engineered Landfill Disposal Facilities at Judy Creek Orion Environmental Services, Whitecourt
Additionally, TransAlta is doing a major reclamation project at the Whitewood mine site at Wabamun.
At a municipal level, the Town of Mayerthorpe’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) recently spoke at Ryerson’s University in Toronto on Mayerthorpe’s Brownfield Redevelopment Program. This program supports the rehabilitation of privately owned brownfield via an annual grant to complete both Phase1 and II Environment Site Assessments (ESA’s). Mayerthorpe also received a Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Municipal Green Fund Grant to complete an ESA II on a municipal property.
According to Figure 15 from the Northern Alberta Broadband Preparedness Project, 4.3% of GROWTH Alberta’s industry mix based on business count is administration, waste management and remediation services.
5 GROWTH Alberta. Northern Alberta Broadband Preparedness Project. prepared by: Taylor Warwick Consulting Ltd. August 29, 2017, page 35. 6 Retrieved from http://www.albertacanada.com/files/albertacanada/Transportation-and-Market_access-profile.pdf Schollie Research & Consulting Page 31 GROWTH Alberta Investment Readiness Study & Strategy – Final Report
B.13 Competitive Advantages In summary the GROWTH Alberta region has a number of strategic competitive advantages including: Modern, clean, livable communities with: Affordable housing Good schools Good health care and seniors facilities Good recreational amenities Good lifestyle Communities in Blooms participants, award winners. Excellent highway corridors including two National Highway Systems: Highway 43 (the Canamex Corridor), and Highway 16 (the Yellowhead). Access to Class 1 rail via the CN Rail Mainline and two CN Rail branch lines. A number of regional airports in the area, including and good highway access to the Edmonton International Airport. A number of major pipeline corridors exist in the region. Good location: close to metro Edmonton - Canada's 5th largest metro region good access key energy extraction markets including Alberta’s three oilsands projects. Partnerships and collaborations such as GROWTH Alberta and WILD Alberta. Diversified industry including: Agriculture, Energy, Forestry, Manufacturing, and Tourism. Strong aggregate and gravel resources which will continue to be in high demand. Potential for leveraging industry knowledge, expertise and capacity particularly with respect to: energy, waste management and remediation services, biomass / bio-energy, aggregate extraction, and value-added agriculture.
GROWTH Alberta’s positioning statement captures the region’s competitive advantage from an investment attraction perspective:
Agriculture, oil & gas, forestry and manufacturing industries and their supply chain links are key components in GROWTH Alberta’s vibrant, diversified and progressive regional economy. The forests, rolling hills, lakes, rivers and wildlife add priceless scenic components to a thriving historical, cultural, culinary and adventure based tourism industry.
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C. Opportunities and Priorities for Moving Forward Because economic development organizations have limited resources, focusing investment attraction activities and efforts is beneficial. Agriculture, Forestry, Mining and Extraction, and Manufacturing are generally considered to have the greatest impact on a community’s ability to create prosperity and economic development.
These industries create more wealth in a community simply because they generate high value products that are often exported or sold outside of the community generating large economic spinoffs through owner profits, relatively high paying jobs, and supply chain purchases.
These high value sectors also have the greatest potential for spawning new business investment in manufacturing, construction, transportation and other value added industries.
Some of the target growth sectors and opportunities identified are outlined.
C.1. Value-added Agriculture Several community and business representatives noted that they would like to see more value-added agriculture opportunities in the region. In fact, a number of municipalities are currently doing studies to look at value-added agriculture opportunities.
The GROWTH Alberta region has several assets that are central to enabling the growth of the agri-processing industry from its current solid base: Reliable and convenient access to low-cost and primary agricultural production. Good road and rail transportation infrastructure giving the area good access to Canadian, US, and Asian markets. Availability of developable land for processing facilities.
A. Encourage and support crop-diversification. GROWTH Alberta is already doing work in this area. Alberta Agriculture and Forestry has also provided presentations and information sessions. Crop-diversification can create new markets and strengthen rural communities. Some producers in the region have expanded into crops like flax and hemp. As these early adopter share their candid experiences, influence is spread on their more risk adverse peers.
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B. Investigate and create business cases for value-added processing activities. This includes manufacturing higher value niche food products such as snack foods, grain based foods, dairy products, and meat products for foreign markets. Given Alberta and Canada’s increasingly diverse immigrant community and the rising wave of millennial travelers, there may be opportunities to process new products that are less known in Canada e.g. barley tea.
GFR Ingredients and Royal Elk Products have already demonstrated success in the functional foods and natural health products sector.
The GROWTH Alberta region has an active bio-energy sector with regards to wood waste. The development of bio-fuel (e.g. bio-gas) feed stock and energy production from agriculture feed stocks may also present an opportunity. Manure from beef cattle feedlots, dairy operations and other intensive livestock operations can provide a sustained feedstock on a regional basis.
There may be opportunities for additional animal feed production facilities. Animal feed uses off-grade grain and other food byproducts that people don’t eat. There are a number of intensive livestock operations in the GROWTH Alberta region including the 10,000 head Schmidt Feedlot, a cluster of dairy and hog producers near Neerlandia, and a handful of Hutterite Colonies. The feed industry is one of the most competitive businesses in the agricultural sector.
C. Help to develop and promote regional agri-tourism producers. Agri-tourism is an emerging industry in Alberta and has great potential for the GROWTH Alberta region given its proximity to the Edmonton market, and having three major tourism corridors run through the region. Agriculture tourism is an expanding product area, and it can include “experiential” products like bed and breakfasts, petting zoos, u-picks, farmers markets, bison ranches, and more.
The GROWTH Alberta region already has a small cluster of u-picks, farm fresh producers, a winery / meadery, and the Northern Girls Hopyard.
D. Ensure land use bylaws are prepared for micro-distilleries / craft breweries / wineries. Related to the agriculture tourism, several of the folks interviewed for this project felt that there was good opportunity for micro-breweries or craft breweries in the area. It is important that municipalities ensure that their regulations and land use bylaws support this industry as you usually want to establish production facilities in more populated commercial areas that typically are not zoned for this type of industry.
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Craft breweries contribute to “place making,” and attract tourists. Local breweries emerge as ideal place-makers, as they are an industry known for making unique products. Many craft breweries experience rapid growth.
C.2. Energy Alberta has the potential to become the world’s leading energy provider. Along with world-class resources and being located next to the largest market in the world, producers have sought new and innovative processes coupled with a focus on research and technology.
When the oil and gas industry recovers, it is important that municipalities in the GROWTH Alberta region are ready to house the people and investment that comes with it.
A. Research the product and service needs of the Kaybob Duvernay shale gas play. Natural gas and oil from shale and tight rock formations have emerged as significant global energy resources. This energy source was previously inaccessible. New technologies and processes are making this energy source extractable. Knowing what products and services are required for this shale gas play will allow the GROWTH Alberta region to be investment-ready and target spin-off enterprises for this activity.
Local manufacturers and service providers may be able to expand their current offerings to meet these needs.
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C.3. Tourism Tourists have a growing demand for engaging and authentic experiences. GROWTH Alberta needs to convey that those experiences are available in the region.
A. Continue to develop destination tourism in the Village of Wabamun. The Village of Wabamun is already a destination for visitors. The Wabamun Provincial Park, the Village’s Lakefront Park, the boat launch, and the private marina provide this community with an excellent base from which to start.
According to the Village of Wabamun’s MDP, continuing to develop the recreational amenities of the Village of Wabamun is a priority for Village Council.
Wabamun, with its artisan community, new downtown public square and expansion into a four-season resort has a great opportunity for “place making” - unique and distinct locations that people want to live, visit, and experience.
Local business can play an important role in place making because they provide unique flavor and experiences that differentiate from the sea of chain stores and experiences – that exist in the nearby Greater Edmonton Metro area.
B. Continue to explore the Grizzly Trail Revitalization as a signature road trip experience Revitalization of the Grizzly Trail, Highway 33 via Fort Assiniboine and Swan Hills would help the Town of Swan Hills to diversify their energy dependent economy. There are a number of authentic experiences, attractions and service providers along this highway. Private sector service providers such as food, accommodation and tourist attractions should be invited to participate in revitalization activities.
C. Target market the GROWTH / WILD Alberta by Visitor Type The GROWTH Alberta region already has a brand which it is executing through WILD Alberta – Your Adventure Playground. However, the promotional material (website and visitor guide) is not optimally designed for the user - the visitor.
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The visitor guide is sectioned by municipality rather than activity, and appears to subscribe to a membership philosophy of “everyone gets a fair share of the pie” rather than a partnership attitude of “let’s erase the lines between us; rather, let’s sell a product bigger than each of us can individually.”
Members will get more value for their dollar by focusing WILD Alberta marketing material on optimal traveler segments such as: adventure seeker, cultural explorer, free spirit, family-oriented frugals, etc.
C.4. Mineral Extraction It is highly likely that the region and the province will see growth when the oil and gas industry rebounds. With growth comes the need for construction of all kinds: homes, institutions, commercial and industrial facilities, roads, access to lease sites, etc. Consequently there will be increased pressure for gravel and aggregates. Additionally, the AAMDC Study Got Gravel? notes that gravel abundance is in a critical state in the Lower Athabasca region.
A. Ensure land use bylaws are in place to accommodate quick turn-around of applications. The aggregate mining industry is very tightly regulated in Alberta. Gravel extraction and transportation often creates some conflict with residents and municipalities as transporting gravel and aggregate tends to be hard on roads, and causes and increases in traffic, noise and dust. However it is needed resource in a growing economy, including for local municipalities with their road networks. Being prepared with bylaws for future developments similar to Woodlands County will be beneficial for municipalities. The Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties acknowledges that “municipalities are increasingly experiencing delays obtaining gravel due to onerous and unclear regulatory processes.”7
B. Work with industry to find creative solutions to minimize the disruptive impact mining aggregate can have. Standard General is taking a leadership role in the transportation of gravel by moving it via rail from the Silver Creek Windfall Gravel Pit to Edmonton. The Alberta Sand and Gravel Association (ASGA) has minimum operating standards or best practices that ASGA registered trucks are expected to follow including:8 . No overweight loads and mandatory tarping . Swept box sides and an end gate check of each load before leaving pit . Individual producer-hauler agreement in place . Required municipal road use agreements in place
7 Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties. Got Gravel? Strategies to Secure Gravel for Rural Municipalities Part 1 - Summary Report. October 30, 2013. P. i. 8 Alberta Sand & Gravel Association website: www.asga.ab.ca Schollie Research & Consulting Page 37 GROWTH Alberta Investment Readiness Study & Strategy – Final Report
C.5. Environmental Products and Services Alberta is known for its expertise in the areas of: land remediation, water & treatment, climate change solutions, waste management, and bio based value-add products. The world-class Swan Hills Waste Treatment facility leads the way. There are other Waste Management and Remediation Services providers in the GROWTH Alberta region, plus land-reclamation projects, and a cluster of bio-based energy projects.
Additionally, because the region has a number of aggregate deposits and gravel extraction is a temporary use of land, land reclamation projects tie in as well. In fact, the Blue Ridge Recreation Area is a reclaimed gravel pit with walking trails, water bodies etc.
A. Position the GROWTH Alberta region as a leader in environmental products and services. Positioning the GROWTH Alberta region as a leader in environmental services could see spin-off in the way of putting the area “on the map.” It would also help to attract science and engineering professionals. This knowledge-based cluster could also offer opportunities in terms of creating regionally-based career-training courses, similar to the forestry industry, and may even be able to partner with a university or other institution for research opportunities.
Furthermore, Environmental Products and Services are one of the Government of Alberta’s key industry sectors and it has likely gained traction with the current governing party.
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D. Recommendations and Action Plan D.1 Recommended Strategy Focus Communities engage in investment initiatives to enhance their social and economic factors: Increase economic opportunities Increase opportunities for growth Enhance the job market Increase competitive advantage Build a diversified and sustainable community
Investments will more likely come to a community that is prepared.
D.1.1. Strengthen Regional Capacity with Regards to Investment Readiness and Attraction
Figure D.1.1: Strengthen Regional Capacity
Objective To help member communities strengthen their own investment readiness in a cost-effective and collaborative, cohesive manner Action 1 Individual communities to conduct an investment readiness self-assessment. Priority High priority Description There are a number of tools available, but the Investment Readiness Toolkit manual provided by the Economic Developers of Alberta (EDA) in partnership with the Governments of Alberta and Canada is a useful tool. The toolkit can be downloaded at the EDA’s website: http://www.edaalberta.ca/page-1497206 The County of Barrhead went through and implemented the process. Consequently they had a good presentation of information regarding their economy at their website. GROWTH Alberta could coordinate a mediated workshop which would help communities to build momentum and regional cohesion. Potential Community Futures Development Corporations Partners Economic Developers of Alberta Economic Development and Trade Estimated The main cost will be the time of economic development officers. Resources If a mediated workshop is held, the estimated cost is $5,000.
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Action 2 Create a regional and community profile/information package focusing on business investment. Priority Top priority Description The profile should be targeted for investment attraction and have a professional look to it. It needs to include information on key sectors, land availability and prices, labour force, infrastructure and future plans, plus other information critical to business expansion and investment decisions. Again, GROWTH Alberta could coordinate a mediated workshop which would help communities to build momentum and regional cohesion. Municipal partners can collaborate to provide a combined front. For example, The Town of Whitecourt and Woodlands County have a combined Community Investment Attraction Profile, which allows them to sell a stronger package than they could individually and the costs of preparing this profile can be shared. It also demonstrates a cooperative relationship to potential investors. Potential Community Futures Development Corporations Partners Economic Developers of Alberta Economic Development and Trade Estimated Time of economic development officers to attend workshop and compile information. Resources Estimated cost is $5,000 for mediated workshop. Estimated cost for an economic development consultant to research and prepare $8,000-$25,000. To have a professionally, graphically designed profile (recommended), estimated cost $5,000 - $10,000 plus printing costs if printed copies are prepared. Matching funds from Invest Canada – Community Initiative (ICCI) may be available.
Action 3 Continue to work with municipalities and ensure they have laid the foundation for investment attraction in terms of infrastructure: water, waste water capacity, broad band internet, land development, etc. Priority Medium priority / ongoing Description Most communities are chipping away at this and GROWTH Alberta is helping to leverage broad band internet capacity through the Broadband Preparedness Project. Most decisions are made by municipal councils, therefore the role of GROWTH Alberta and economic development officers is to educate and inform councils on the importance and implications of laying the critical foundation for investment attraction. The EDA has created an Economic Development for Elected Officials course which GROWTH Alberta and municipal councils should promote and encourage. GROWTH Alberta can and is pursuing a local offering of this course to reduce cost and travel time / expenses for local officials. GROWTH Alberta can also share information with councils via newsletters, social media tips, presentations, best practices, etc. Potential Economic Developers of Alberta Partners Estimated EDA’s Economic Development for Elected Officials course is $300/person based on ten Resources registrants = $3,000 plus facility, accommodations. Staff time for GROWTH Alberta – estimated 250 hours/year.
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Action 4 Continue to build post-secondary education and training opportunities as part of Youth Retention strategy. Priority Medium priority / ongoing Description Continue to work with local schools, school boards, Norquest College, industry and other players to develop custom programs. Advocate at a regional level regarding the impact that Alberta’s Education’s cap on CEU funds is having on the regional economy and workforce. Uncover regional labour needs and work and converse with Norquest College, NAIT, Alberta Advanced Education, and Alberta Labour regarding specific program needs to ensure there is a good match between needs and programs. Potential Alberta Education Partners Alberta Advanced Education Alberta Labour Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation CAREERS: The Next Generation Living Waters Catholic Regional Division Norquest College Northern Gateway Public Schools Pembina Hills School Division Private sector players Estimated Networking and advocacy uses staff time. Resources Special projects, like a needs assessment or a business case, may emerge and would require additional funds.
D.1.2. Enhance Regional Marketing
Figure D.1.2: Regional Marketing
Objective To promote the GROWTH Alberta region and member communities as vibrant, attractive places for investment attraction, visitation, and quality of life. Action 1 Create an investor/investment attraction component to GROWTH Alberta and member municipalities’ websites. Priority Top Priority Description The website should be targeted for investment attraction and have a professional look to it. It needs to include information on key sectors, land availability and prices, labour force, infrastructure and future plans, plus other information critical to business expansion and investment decisions. The website should include punchy statements. Local high-quality industry photos are beneficial. Estimated Much of the information collected in the community profile and industry-specific Resources investment attraction profiles can carry over to the website. $5,000 + (depending on whether or not in-house resources are available).
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Action 2 Develop industry-specific investment attraction profiles. Priority High priority Description These profiles can be developed at the regional level (GROWTH Alberta) and communities can use these tools to enhance their investment community profiles and websites. Communities can also develop their own customized industry-specific profiles and take the regional information from the regional profile. An easy-to-print web-based industry overview is a reasonable first step. Potential Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Partners Alberta Culture and Tourism Alberta Economic Development and Trade Estimated Estimated cost for an economic development consultant to research and prepare Resources $15,000-$25,000. Estimated cost to have a professionally, graphically designed materials $5,000 - $15,000. Printing costs additional if printed copies are prepared.
D.1.3. Investment Generation
Figure D.1.3: Investment Attraction Programming
Objective To generate targeted interest in the GROWTH Alberta region. Action 1 Conduct opportunity identification studies Priority Medium priority Description The presence of an opportunity is a necessary but not sufficient condition for business success. The opportunities listed in Section C have not been researched thoroughly. Successful exploitation of identified opportunities will further market and competitor research. Some municipalities within the GROWTH Alberta region are already conducting opportunity identification studies and GROWTH Alberta is pursuing an Agricultural Diversity Study. These are good starts and other opportunities could be pursued in subsequent fiscal cycles for different industries. Potential Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Partners Alberta Culture and Tourism Alberta Economic Development and Trade Alberta Innovates Estimated Estimated cost $20,000+ depending on depth of study and number of industry Resources opportunities explored.
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Action 2 Develop lead generation network. Priority Medium priority Description Targeted investment leads can be generated through research and via networking It is important to talk as high up the decision-making chain as possible, even though the conversation may not start there The leads can be generated internally or a third-party can be contracted to generate the leads Potential Real estate agents and developers Partners Chambers of Commerce MLA or MP Estimated Depending on the depth of research required, estimated cost could range from $5,000 Resources to $25,000.
Action 3 Coordinate Targeted Familiarization Tours Priority Medium priority Description “Show-off” the great things happening in your community! There is no better way share enthusiasm, pride, and innovation than by touring facilities and talking to owners and community members. Tours should be targeted to influencers and decision-makers. Municipal representative should be involved in tour. Potential Alberta Chamber of Commerce Targets Alberta Economic Development and Trade Officials: Minister, Trade and Investment Attraction Division officials Business leaders in target sectors Industry associations MLA and MP Researchers, innovators Estimated Can vary depending on depth of tours, frequency and amount of accommodation and Resources travel required $5,000+. Staff time for GROWTH Alberta estimated 24 – 32 hours/tour. Municipal staff or elected official time.
Action 4 Develop after-care program Priority Longer-term priority Description After-care includes those follow-up services after an investment has been made. It’s not enough to land the investment, but to ensure that investor is succeeding and has access to the resources and supports they need to be successful. It should be a natural part of a Business Retention and Expansion Strategy. Potential Chambers of Commerce Partners Labour and employment partners Municipal partners Estimated Staff time for GROWTH Alberta and/or municipal EDO. Resources
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E. References
Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties. Got Gravel? Strategies to Secure Gravel for Rural Municipalities Part 1 - Summary Report. October 30, 2013.
Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties. Got Gravel? Strategies to Secure Gravel for Rural Municipalities Part 2 - Technical Report. October 30, 2013.
Agricultural Diversification Opportunities in the GROWTH Alberta Region. Prepared by: Toma and Bouma Management Consultants, June 8, 2007.
Alberta Oil & Gas Industry. Quarterly Update. Winter 2016.
Chudley, Jody. On the Money: Act Two for the Swan Hills Play? Alberta Venture. May 26, 2014.
Cleyn, J. Got Elk? Invest in Alberta. 2017.
Co-operatives First. 5 ways co-ops improve economic growth in rural and remote communities. By Aasa Marshall, August 23, 2017.
Cooper, David. Nature blooms were coal mine once stood. Calgary Herald, October 5, 2013.
Economic Developers of Alberta. Investment Readiness Toolkit. 2012.
Government of Alberta. Alberta Industrial Sector Market Opportunities Report. June 2010.
Government of Alberta. Industry Profiles, Engineering and Construction.
Government of Alberta. Industry Profiles, Environmental Products and Services.
Government of Alberta. Industry Profiles, Industrial Manufacturing.
Government of Alberta. Industry Profiles, Oil and Gas.
Government of Alberta. Industry Profiles, Transportation and Market Access.
Government of Alberta: Industry Profiles, Metal Manufacturing.
GROWTH Alberta. Labour and Investment Attraction Information for GROWTH Alberta Region. May 2010.
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GROWTH Alberta. Northern Alberta Broadband Preparedness Project. prepared by: Taylor Warwick Consulting Ltd. August 29, 2017.
GROWTH Alberta. Sector Overview, Agriculture.
GROWTH Alberta. Sector Overview, Oil and Gas.
GROWTH Alberta. Sector Overview, Tourism.
GROWTH Alberta. Strategic Business Plan 2010-2014. Prepared by Cornerstone Planning Group. March, 2010.
Hampson, K. Mayerthorpe focuses on 4-H. Mayerthorpe Freelancer. July 7, 2014.
Howell, C. Whitecourt crater attracts visitors. Whitecourt Star. July 3, 2012.
Macleod, S. Leaving a paper trail. Invest in Alberta. 2017.
Natural Resources Canada. Energy Fact Book 2016-17.
Statistics Canada. Alberta has the most beef cattle in Canada and the second largest total farm area. Release date: May 10, 2017. 95-640-X.
Town of Mayerthorpe. Economic Development Strategic Plan, prepared by: MDB Insight, March 7, 2017.
Town of Mayerthorpe. 2017 Strategic Directives Plan.
Town of Swan Hills. Municipal Development Plan. 2012.
Town of Westlock. Community Agency and Business Directory. 2017.
Transitions Solutions Inc. Westlock Regional Collaboration Study. July 2017.
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F. Appendix
Schollie Research & Consulting Page 46 GROWTH Alberta Investment Readiness Study & Strategy – Final Report F.1 Utilities
F.1.1 Water Rates and Sewer Service Charges
Figure F.1.1.a: Water Rates by Municipality
Municipality Water Base Rate Water Rate 3 Village of Clyde $40 / bimonthly $3.55 / m (within corporate limits) $4.15 / m3 (outside corporate limits) 3 Town of Westlock Single Family Residential: $12.50 $2.70 / m Multi-Residential / Manufactured Home: $12.50 Commercial / Industrial (per metre): $21.00 Institutional (per metre): $26.00 3 3 3 County of Barrhead $46.64 / month for first 10 m $15.77 / 4.54 m over 10 m 3 Village of Wabamun Residential: $58 / month $4.30 / m Multi-Residential: $40 / month Commercial & Industrial: $187 / month Multi-tenant commercial: $145.00 / month Hotel, Motel, Laundromat / Car Wash: $175.00 Institutional: $187.00 3 3 3 Town of Mayerthorpe $24.19 / month for first 9 m $6.26 / 4.5 m for 9.01-45.0 m $14.70 / 4.5 m3 for 45.01-225 m3 $21.00 / 4.5 m3 for 225.01 m3 and over
Figure F.1.1.b: Sewer Service Charges by Municipality
Municipality Sewer Service Base Distribution Rates Additional Rate Village of Clyde Residential or commercial minimum charge of $9.50 or 35% of metered water consumption. Town of Westlock Single Family Residential: $3.40 Sewer rates are based on percentage Multi-Residential / Manufactured Home: (30%) of metered water consumption $3.40 multiplied by the current water rate per Commercial / Industrial (per metre): $3.90 cubic metre. Institutional (per metre): $3.90 County Single Family Residential: $3.40 Village of Wabamun Single Family Residential: $22.50 Multi-Residential: $18.00 / unit to $22.50 / unit dependent on size Commercial / Industrial: $51.25 Multi-tenant commercial: $125.00 Hotel, Motel, Laundromat / Car Wash: $131.25 Institutional: $183.00 3 3 3 Town of Mayerthorpe $12.35 / month for first 9 m $5.54 / 4.5 m over 9 m
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F.1.2 Sample Power and Natural Gas Rates
Figure F.1.2: Sample Regional Power and Natural Gas Rates (February 2017)
Residential Small Commercial Large Commercial Electricity Base Rate (Source: ATCO Electric) 35.97 14.01 92.08 Electricity Rates (Source: ATCO Electric) 10.12 3.96 1.03 Natural Gas Base Rate (Source: ATCO Energy) 29.19 29.19 171 Natural Gas Rate (Source: ATCO Energy) .08 .08 .00
Source: https://townfolio.co/ab/growth-alberta/utilities
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F.2 Asset Tables
F.2.1 Transportation Inventory
Figure F.2.1.a: Transportation Inventory
Highway Description Alberta Provincial Major east–west highway in Alberta, connecting Jasper to Lloydminster via Highway No. 16 Edmonton. Forms a portion of the Yellowhead Highway, a major interprovincial route of the Trans-Canada Highway system. Considered a core route in Canada's National Highway System. Divided, with a minimum of two lanes in each direction. Gentle grades through the Rocky Mountains to the coast. Alberta Provincial Connects Edmonton to the British Columbia border via Grande Prairie and the Highway No. 43 Peace Country. Known as the “Gateway to Alaska” and is part of the Canamex Corridor. Divided, with a minimum of two lanes in each direction. Important Junctions Description Village of Clyde Junction of Highway 2 north-south (St. Albert to Athabasca to Slave Lake) and Highway 18 east-west. Town of Westlock Junction of Highway 44 north-south and Highway 18 east-west. Town of Barrhead / Junction of Highway 33 north-south and Highway 18 east-west. County of Barrhead Town of Mayerthorpe Junction of Highway 22 north-south (Cowboy Trail tourist highway) and Highway 43 east-west. Close to junction of Highway 18. Town of Onoway / Lac Junction of Highways 43 and 37 and secondary highway 642. Ste. Anne County Close to junction of Highway 33 north-south at Gunn. Woodlands County Highway 658, 43, 32, 751 all intersect in the County. Hamlet of Sangudo / Junction of Highway 43 and secondary highway 757. Lac Ste. Anne County Town of Swan Hills Junction of Highway 32 north-south (Edson to Slave Lake) and Highway 33. Rail Description CN Rail Class 1 Railroad. Operates over 32,000 route-kilometres of track in Canada. CN Edson Subdivision: CN Rail mainline from Edmonton to the Ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert; switching line at Wabamun. CN Sangudo Subdivision: CN Rail branch line from Edmonton to Kaybob near Fox Creek. Land available in Mayerthorpe along this line for spur lines. CN Westlock Subdivision: CN Rail branch line from Edmonton to Slave Lake and Hay River, NT. Intermodal Facilities Both CN and CP railways operate intermodal container yards in Edmonton.
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Airports Description Barrhead Johnson Services government travel, municipal (medical evacuations, search and Industrial Airport rescue and RCMP transfers), training (flight school), industry, agriculture and recreational purposes. Estimated 300 annual aircraft movements. Classified light commercial airport. 1,067 m (3,500 feet) paved and lighted runway. Mayerthorpe Airport Managed by Lac Ste. Anne County. Unmanned with paved runway, radio activated lighting, taxi way, tie down for planes, hangars, and an unmanned airport terminal. Swan Hills Airport Run by Big Lakes County. Runway is paved and has regulation lighting. Serves oilfield companies. Private hangars. Fire base behind the airport – part of the Whitecourt Fire Area – which is headquartered out of Hinton. Have Medevac for fixed wing aircraft. Westlock Municipal Operated by Westlock County. Airport 3,400 feet long and 75 feet wide runway. Solar powered runway lights. Card lock re-fueling system. Approximately 2,900 annual aircraft movements. Edmonton Skydiving School operates out of here. Whitecourt Airport One of the only counties in the province that owns and maintains a full air- service certified airport. 5,800 foot by 100 foot runway and is capable of landing large commercial planes. 9th busiest airport in province. Lots of rotary craft. Provides a large base for water-bombers (forest fire suppression). There are direct flights to Calgary 2 times per week. Primary users include forestry and oilfield companies. Edmonton Serves over 6 million passengers annually. International Airport Regularly scheduled flights to all major Canadian cities. (EIA) Direct flights to more than 50 global destinations. Cargo services that are designed to expedite shipments to all parts of the globe quickly and cost effectively. Villeneuve Airport Subsidiary of EIA. Commercial General Aviation Airport - uses small aircraft, fixed or rotary-wing for private, corporate or commercial purposes including recreation, flying training, private transportation or other specialty purposes. Pipelines List A number of major Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines pipeline corridors exist Keyera Pipelines in the region Alliance Pipelines Transmountain Pipeline Pembina Corporation Pipelines
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Figure F.2.1.b: Alberta Average Annual Daily Traffic Counts
Average Annual Daily Traffic = The average daily two-way traffic volume at a point on the highway expressed as vehicles per day for the period of January 1 to December 31 (365 or 366 days). Source: http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/mapping
Whitecourt is also home to the Integrated Traffic Unit with the RCMP and Alberta Traffic Sheriffs; sheriffs do highway patrol from Onoway to Valleyview.
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F.2.2 Historical and Cultural Inventory
Figure F.2.2: Historical and Cultural Assets
Municipality Current development Museums / Historical Barrhead Centennial Museum Old Stone House Sites Canadian Tractor Museum Rochfort Bridge Trestle & Museum Forest Interpretive Centre Westlock Pioneer Museum Fort Assiniboine Museum Wabamun & District Museum Mayerthorpe Country Elevator Attractions Blue Heron, Barrhead Cowboy Trail Storyboard, Mayerthorpe E.S. Huestis Demonstration Forest, Woodlands County Fallen Four Memorial Park and Visitor Centre, Mayerthorpe Goose and Bear artwork, Swan Hills Sangudo Sundial Elevator World’s Largest Dragonfly, Wabamun World’s Largest Wagon Wheel and Pick Axe, Fort Assiniboine Whissels Castle, near Clyde Festivals, Fairs, Rodeos Barrhead Blue Heron Fair & Rodeo Polynesian Days, Alberta Beach Blue Suede Music Festival, Busby Rich Valley Agricultural Fair Darwell Ag Drag Rochfort Bridge Heritage Days Dragonfly Festival, Wabamun Sangudo Tractor Pulls Focus on 4-H Regional SnoMo Days, Alberta Beach Competitions, Mayerthorpe Upfest Highridge Rodeo Wabamun Culture Days Kids Can Catch, Wabamun Westlock & District Agricultural Fair Mayerthorpe and District Wild Rose Rodeo Finals Agricultural Fair Whitecourt Jet Boat Races Mayerthorpe Rodeo Whitecourt Woodlands Rodeo
Did you know? The Village of Wabamun has a growing artisan community and has an art gallery. The Hamlet of Fort Assiniboine was once used as a transportation and supply point during the Hudson’s Bay era between 1823 and 1877. The Fort Assiniboine Museum is the second oldest fort in Alberta. The Lac Ste. Anne Mission is a national historic site; it was the first permanent Catholic mission west of Winnipeg. It is part of a world-renowned pilgrimage site on the southern shores of Lac Ste. Anne. Other sacred buildings are found on the site. The George Pegg Garden was the province’s first declared historic resource and is a protected site. Trapper Lea's cabin is the oldest historical site in the Swan Hills' Campground. In 1943, Leas was proclaimed the "wolf king" of Alberta for having trapped the largest number of wolves. The Fallen Four Memorial Park receives 5,000 visitors annually. Kids Can Catch is the largest event in Alberta on the Saturday of Family Day weekend.
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F.2.3 Inventory of Natural Assets
Figure F.2.3: Natural Assets
Natural Asset Listing Rivers Athabasca River Freeman River Little Paddle River Mcleod River Paddle River Pembina River Lakes Chrystina Lake East Pitt Lake Lac Ste. Anne Lac La Nonne McLeod Lake Thunder Lake Wabamun Lake Provincial Parks Carson-Pegasus Provincial Park Calling Lake Provincial Park Thunder Lake Provincial Park Wabamun Provincial Park Ecological / Natural Bear Lake Natural Area Areas Clear Lake Natural Area Fort Assiniboine Sandhills Geographical Center of Alberta Goose Mountain Ecological Reserve Hard Luck Canyon Holmes Crossing Ecological Reserve Hubert Lake Wildland Park Lac La Nonne Natural Area Roselea Natural Area Vega Sand Hills Whitecourt Impact Crater
Did you know? Tubing is a popular activity on the Mcleod River. It even has designated pickup and dropoff areas. The Goose Mountain Ecological Reserve is home to 16 plant species rare to the province of Alberta. Being the highest point in the province at 1,180 metres above sea level allows for the development of a sub-alpine ecosystem not found anywhere else on the prairies. You can view ancient cliffs at Hard Luck Canyon. This unique geological feature was carved by Hard Luck Creek through the sandstone layers of the Paskapoo Formation. Every year pilgrims travel from all over the country to pray and bathe in in Lac Ste. Anne. The Whitecourt Impact Crater is the youngest and best-preserved crater in Canada. Over a hundred people run to this site during the annual “Big Bang Mud Run” which combines terrain, obstacles, inclines, and mud.
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F.2.4 Recreational Assets
Figure F.2.4.a: Recreational Assets by Municipality
Municipality Key Recreational Assets Village of Clyde Curling Complex - attracts lots of rentals – weddings etc. Keeps a pretty full time rental schedule. Ball Diamonds Town of Westlock Westlock Aquatic Centre Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre – a standard NHL size arena, walking/running track, fieldhouse, fitness centre, meeting rooms, tennis courts Westlock Servus Curling Centre Ball Diamonds Westlock Action Sports Park - modern skateboard park Westlock Rotary Trail Tawatinaw Ski Hill (in Westlock County) County of Barrhead Agrena Recreation Complex - ice arena and a walking track Barrhead Curling Rink Barrhead Regional Aquatics Centre Barrhead Rodeo Grounds Barry’s Ultra Motor Park (B.U.M.P.) Bone Yard Compound Bowling Alley Misty Ridge Ski Hill POW Paintball Village of Wabamun Coal Diamond Sports Park and Campground Jubilee Hall Waterfront Park - spray park, large playground for children, picnic facilities, public washrooms with change rooms, a full-size boat launch, and ice skating on the lake. Lion’s Bowling Alley Lac Ste. Anne County Devils Lake MX Track Eden North Skydiving Fish & Game Gun Range, Onoway Sangudo Speedway Onoway, Rich Valley, and Sangudo arenas Town of Mayerthorpe Mayerthorpe Aquatic Centre - Pool is Junior Olympic size Mayerthorpe Curling Rink Mayerthorpe Exhibition Centre - NHL standard size. Allows them to host certain hockey tournaments. Paddle Valley Trail Riders Woodlands County Allan & Jean Millar Recreation Centre - state of the art multi-use, recreation facility Blue Ridge Recreation Area Centennial Park – walking park East Lake Park - ski hill in the town of Whitecourt Rotary Park and Whitecourt River Slides Timeu Off-Highway Vehicle Rec Area Westward Community Centre – Hall, indoor riding arena, rodeo grounds, race track. Whitecourt Mountain Bike Park White Ridge MX Park beside Blue Ridge
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Town of Swan Hills Curling Arena Leo Moyen Recreation Place and Skateboard Park Swan Hills Dirt Riders Motocross Track Swan Hills Pool Swan Hills Saddle Club The Golden Triangle Tom Parkinson Centennial Arena
Figure F.2.4.b: Inventory of Golf Courses
Golf Courses Inventory Golf Courses Alberta Beach Golf Resort Barrhead Golf & Country Club Batt Traps Golf Course Cougar Creek Hidden Valley Golf Ironhead Mayerthorpe Golf & Country Club Paddle River Golf Course Pembina Valley Golf & Country Club Pine Ridge Silver Sands Golf Course Swan Hills Golf and Country Club Trestle Creek Westlock Golf Course
Did you know? Golden Triangle Trail contains 350 kilometres of award-winning snow-mobile trails that connect the communities of Whitecourt, Fox Creek and Swan Hills. The trails are maintained by local clubs. Mayerthorpe hosts the annual Focus on 4-H Regional Competitions. Mayerthorpe’s facilities work well for hosting their program. This is the second biggest 4-H event in Alberta, after the clubs’ gathering at the Calgary Stampede. The Clyde Curling Club is booked with rental most weekends. The Rotary Park Playground in Whitecourt is the tallest outdoor playground structure in Alberta.
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F.2.5 Regional Schools
Figure F.2.5: Schools
Municipality School Division Village of Clyde Eleanor Hall School Pembina Hills School Division Town of Westlock École Westlock Elementary School Pembina Hills School Division R.F. Staples Secondary School Westlock Outreach School St. Mary School Evergreen Catholic Schools County of Barrhead Dunstable School Pembina Hills School Division Neerlandia Public Christian School Covenant Canadian Reformed School Private Village of Wabamun Wabamun School Parkland School Division No. 70 Lac Ste. Anne County Rich Valley School Northern Gateway Public Schools Sangudo Community School Town of Mayerthorpe Elmer Elson Elementary School Northern Gateway Public Schools Mayerthorpe Jr/Sr High School Woodlands County Fort Assiniboine School Pembina Hills School Division Town of Swan Hills Swan Hills School Pembina Hills School Division Westlock County Pembina North Community School Pembina Hills School Division Busby School Dunstable School Town of Barrhead École Barrhead Elementary School Pembina Hills School Division Barrhead Composite High School Barrhead Outreach School Vista Virtual School Town of Onoway Onoway Elementary School Northern Gateway Public Schools Onoway Jr/Sr High School Town of Whitecourt Pat Hardy Primary School Northern Gateway Public Schools Whitecourt Central Elementary School Percy Baxter Middle School Hilltop Jr/Sr High School École St. Mary Living Waters Catholic Schools École St. Joseph
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F.3 Industry Profiles
F.3.1 Agriculture The majority of crops grown in the GROWTH Alberta region are canola, wheat and barley. The GROWTH Alberta region has a prominent livestock sector as well, right from family farms to intensive livestock operations.
The GROWTH Alberta region is located in the Upper Athabasca land-use region9. The Upper Athabasca land-use region contains 10.6% of the provinces number of farms, and 7% of the province’s acres.
Figure F.3.1.a: Distribution of Upper Athabasca Farms by Selected Farm Type
Livestock Percentage of Alberta
Grain & Oilseed 7%
Other Crop 14% Farms Cattle (Beef) 11% Farms
Dairy Farms 10%
Hog Farms 11%
Poultry & Egg 9% Farms Total Elk 19%
Total Bison 11%
Source: 2011 Census of Agriculture for Alberta, I.D., M.D., and County Data by Land-use Region
Preliminary results from the 2016 Census of Agriculture indicate that Alberta had more feeder beef cattle than all other provinces combined with almost 1.5 million head. Other highlights include:10 Alberta ranked second in terms of both total farm area and field crop area. Primary agriculture represented 1.5% of provincial gross domestic product in 2013. This percentage is increased to 40% when agricultural input and service providers, primary producers, food and beverage processors, and food retailers and whole industries are included. Agricultural operations in Alberta employed 33,498 people in 2015.
9 The Upper Athabasca land use region includes: Athabasca County, Barrhead County No. 11, Big Lakes County, Lac Ste. Anne County, Lesser Slave River No. 124, Westlock County, Woodlands County, and Yellowhead County. 10 Statistics Canada. Alberta has the most beef cattle in Canada and the second largest total farm area. Release date: May 10, 2017. 95-640-X.
Schollie Research & Consulting Page 57 GROWTH Alberta Investment Readiness Study & Strategy – Final Report Feeder cattle account for nearly 60% of the national total, and its beef breeding stock accounted for 42.3%. Canola is the leading field crop by area reported, followed by spring wheat and barley. Greenhouse flower and vegetable production rose 8.6% from 2011 to 12.0 million square feet in 2016. In Alberta, 5.7% of farms reported selling agricultural products directly to consumers.
A partial list of some key economic assets related to agriculture in the GROWTH Alberta region are listed below:
Figure F.3.1.b: GROWTH Alberta Agriculture Assets
Asset Description Livestock Alberta Bison Ranch Linquenda Dairy Barrwest Pork Miller Hatcheries (Alberta) Ltd. Ehrenholz Farms Misty Ridge Dairy Geis Angus Farms North Central Livestock Exchange Freeman River Bison Ranches Pigs R Us Inc. Haywire Ventures Rochester Hatchery Hog Wild Specialities Schmidt Livestock Ltd. JVJ Westlock Auction Sunrise Hatchery Inc. Lazy S Ranches Woodlands Bison Ranch Grain Handling & Westlock Terminals Storage CN Producer Car Loader Station, Mayerthorpe Greenhouses & De Herdts Gardens Ltd. Nurseries Erdmann’s Gardens and Greenhouses Glamery Greenhouses Green Thumbs Greenhouse Rosie's Greenhouse Sunniebend Greenhouses Fresh Farm Producers Anthem Hills Family Farm Cherrytree Enterprises Dew Drop Farms U-Pick Dez Family U-Pick Double Eagle Farms Hill and Dale Farms/A'Bunadh Seeds Rochfort Hutterite Colony Shady Lane Estate Inc. - Winery/meadery Windhover Orchard and Northern Girls Hopyard Supporting Operations AFSC - Agriculture Financial KNM Sales & Service Services Corporation Martin Deerline Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Mayerthorpe Veterinary Services office in Westlock Peavey Mart Alberta Agriculture & Forestry Pentagon Farm Centre Field Office in Barrhead Rocky Mountain Equipment Anderson Seed Growers Ltd. Roszko Farm Equipment Barr-North Veterinary Services Ltd. UFA CropMaxx Inc. Westlock Seed Cleaning Coop Dow Fertilizer Westlock Veterinary Center Har-De Agri Services
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Did you know? The Westlock Seed Cleaning Coop is one of the most modern, up-to-date plants in Alberta. They source the most different varieties of seed in the province and they have one of the highest volumes of treated seed and pedigreed seed of any plant in the province. Geis Angus Farms in the County of Barrhead has shipped their purebred cattle, embryos, semen all around world. The Rochester Hatchery is a federally “AAA” rating registered hatchery. It is the only hatchery in Canada that does the exotic chickens. Richardson Milling in the County of Barrhead is one of three strategically located oat processing mills in Canada, which employs state-of-the-art technology to ensure quality in a full range of oat ingredients. Lloyd Lee, with Oola Ranch has won awards from Alberta Agriculture and the Agriculture Hall of Fame for work his with wild fruits such as saskatoon berries, chokecherries, and pincherries. KBJ Round Farms, near the Village of Clyde, is the largest purebred cattle operation in the area and one of the largest in the country. This family operation sells cattle around the world. Westlock Terminals has developed new ways of adding value to customers and shareholders through innovative services such as commercial trucking and adding a canola cleaning line.
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F.3.2 Forestry
Figure F.3.2: GROWTH Alberta Forest Industry Assets
Key Players Description Blue Ridge Lumber Produces dimensional lumber and multi-density fibre (MDF). Employs about 200+. Owned by West Fraser. Located at Blue Ridge. Millar Western Forest Lumber Operations: Sawmill manufactures approximately 330 million SPF Products board feet annually. Pulp Operations: Produces bleached chemi-thermo-mechanical pulp (BCTMP). Employs an advanced biological effluent treatment system to clean process water to an exceptionally high standard before discharging it into the Athabasca River. Certified to the ISO 9000 standard for quality management, the ISO 14001 standard for environmental management. Certified under FORESTCARE and is recognized as a Leader under the Alberta government’s EnviroVista program. Began operation in 2016 for a new bioenergy plant which convert organics in pulp mill effluent to a biogas. The biogas is conditioned and used to fuel reciprocating engines, to generate 5.2 MW of electricity for use in the pulp operations. Woodlands Operations: Woodlands team of 35 staff is responsible for supplying Whitecourt and Fox Creek mills - applying sustainable forest management practices. Includes planning, consultation, road building, harvest, fire and insect response, reclamation and forest renewal activities. Alberta Newsprint Newsprint and paper manufacturing facility. Company (ANC) Alberta first and only paper mill. Employs over 200 employees. Has a forest management area which employs about 200 contracted staff. Currently looking to leverage their site offerings: excess steam and water treatment capacity, excess water intake capacity, on-site power plant, multi- purpose trans-loading facility. Timeau Forest Softwood sawmill division of Spruceland Millworks Inc. Products Produces up to 60 million board feet of dedicated raw materials for further processing at Spruceland Millworks Inc. Acheson plant. Located near Fort Assiniboine 28 Employees.
Did you know? The players collaborate on items like worker safety and forestry careers. For example, they hold a “Forestry Industry Day” where the focus in on careers in the forestry industry rather than specific companies. Alberta Newsprint Company has the capacity to produce more than 12,000 square metres of newsprint per minute. Millar Western built the world’s first zero-effluent market pulp mill, and developed aspen bleached chemi-thermo-mechanical pulp (BCTMP) grades that are now widely used by the international paper industry.
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F.3.3 Manufacturing
Figure F.3.3: GROWTH Alberta Manufacturers by Sub Sector
Sub Sector Manufacturer Fabricated Metal & Academy Fabricators Industrial Equipment ACPP Custom Plumbing Parts, ULC Breal Metal Buildings & Industrial Insulation Ltd. Bullet Proof Welding Fisherco Neeralta Manufacturing Precision Design & Manufacturing Inc. SWS Truck Box & Hoist Ltd. Wabash MFG Inc. Food & Beverage Barrhead Custom Meats 1990 Ltd. Prairie Packers D&S Custom Meats Richardson Milling GFR Ingredients Royal Elk Products Hi-Pro Feeds LP Sangudo Custom Meats Hog Wild Specialties Water Pure & Simple Onoway Custom Packers 2014 Ltd. Plastics Barrhead Plastics Paddle Plastics Ltd. RPC BPI Agriculture Wood, Wood Product, Alberta Newsprint Company Northplex Ltd. Pulp, Paper & Printing Blue Ridge Lumber Pollard Banknote Millar Western Forest Products Timeau Forest Products National Silicates Ltd.
Did you know? Wabash Mfg. Inc., a manufacturer of truck mounted equipment on articulated chassis for the energy and mining industries, created the world’s first articulating LNG refueler. Northplex Ltd., a modular home manufacturing facility, can build up to 25 homes simultaneously in their 150,000 square foot facility. Royal Elk Products manufactures 82 percent of the elk antler product produced in North America. The Neeralta extractor contains a patented grain bag roller which provides the fastest grain bag cleanup, by winding the plastic up as it is extracted. The bag is released as an easy to handle bale. No other grain bag unloader offers such an efficient solution to grain bag recycling. Paddle Plastics is one of only three plants in Alberta set up for recycling plastic at own facility. Precision Design & Manufacturing Inc. supplies Ford Canada with mud flaps. Sangudo Custom Meats uses an innovative animal handling system which includes slider gates, pusher panels, and strong steel. It is designed to handle both elk and bison easily and effectively along with beef, lamb and pigs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XISxLDYC02U
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F.3.4 Energy
Oil and Gas Alberta has the third largest proven crude oil reserves in the world after Saudi Arabian and Venezuela. Canada is the world’s third largest supplier of natural gas with 80% of production coming out of Alberta.
The GROWTH Alberta region is strategically located both for extraction and for servicing the oil and gas industry. In fact, the Town of Swan Hills was originally a base camp for workers in the Beaverhill Lake / Swan Hills / Slave Point Carbonate oil play. This oil play is more than 80 km long and estimated to contain more than seven billion barrels of light sweet oil. Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing are the key technologies to be employed here.11
Much of the GROWTH Alberta region is in the Petroleum Services Association of Canada (PSAC) geographic region AB5. The PSAC area AB5 third most productive areas for natural gas well production, contributing 9.0% to total Alberta natural gas well production in 2016. The PSAC area AB5 is the second most productive areas for conventional crude oil production, contributing 21.8% to total Alberta conventional crude oil production in 2016.12
The Kaybob Duvernay shale gas play in west-central Alberta is one of the most promising shale plays in North America. The Duvernay is often compared to the Eagle Ford of Texas because both are shale plays that offer a full spectrum from dry gas through liquids-rich gas to oil.13
The anticipated retirement of coal plants is forecast to add natural gas demand for electricity generation.
The GROWTH Alberta region is in prime location to service Alberta’s oil sands (Peace River, Athabasca, Cold Lake). These oil sands reserves provide producers with one of the world’s most stable, proven and secure supplies of oil available.
11 Chudley, Jody. On the Money: Act Two for the Swan Hills Play? Alberta Venture. May 26, 2014. 12 http://www.aer.ca/data-and-publications/statistical-reports 13 Alberta Oil & Gas Industry. Quarterly Update, Winter 2016
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Coal and Electricity Generation Near the village of Wabamun, thermal coal has been mined and used for electricity generation. The Highvale Mine south of Lake Wabamun is the largest surface strip coal mine in Canada and one of three TransAlta Corporation owned surface coal mines.
It is estimated that the Highvale Mine, and nearby Keephills and Sundance power generating plants employs about one-third of the Village of Wabamun’s population directly, and another 10-15% indirectly.
The Sundance power plant is the largest coal-fired electrical generating facility in western Canada, with six generating units.
The Keephills 3 power plant is located adjacent to TransAlta’s existing Keephills power plant. In 2011, Keephills 3 began commercial operation as one of Canada’s largest and cleanest coal-fired facilities and one of the most advance facilities of its kind in the world.14
The Wabamun Generating Plant was one of three coal-fired generating stations built in the Wabamun Lake area; Sundance and Keephills are the other two. In 2010, TransAlta Utilities Corporation fully retired all the units of its Wabamun power plant. Along with the retirement of the Wabamun power plant, the Whitewood Mine, which was the source for the plant, ceased operations. A reclamation process is underway. The mine and power plant provided the Village of Wabamun's main economic base.
Ash pits, large lagoons that held waste from the plant’s operation, have been dug out. The ash is now in one area and it is being sold to the cement industry as there is an active market for it.15
The challenge facing the coal mining and power generation industry is the fact the Alberta Government’s Climate Leadership Plan has set a goal to phase out all pollution created by burning coal by 2030; a mere 13 years from now. TransAlta has committed to phasing out its coal-fired power plants ahead of Alberta government deadlines by shutting some of its coal units and converting others to natural gas.
14 http://www.transalta.com/facilities/plants-operation/keephills-3 15 Cooper, David. Nature blooms were coal mine once stood. Calgary Herald, October 5, 2013.
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In-Situ Coal Gasification The Swan Hills area has significant deep coal resources ideal for in-situ coal gasification, which is clean energy conversion largely underdeveloped until now. Swan Hills Synfuel Demonstration Project, the first of its kind project in North America, is located 17 km southwest of Swan Hills.
This in-situ coal gasification (ISCG) project uses carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to access coal seams for power generation. The 1st phase of Demonstration Project was completed in June/July 2009 and resulted in a range of measurable results to assist in future development stages of the commercial project.
The Alberta government and Swan Hills Synfuels agreed to discontinue their carbon capture and storage funding agreement in 2013 as lower than expected natural gas prices made the manufacturing of synthetic gas uneconomical.
While this project is not economical at this time, the project was successful in providing valuable learnings about the clean energy potential of Alberta’s vast coal reserves:16 At 1,400 meters (or 4,600 feet) below the surface, it is the deepest underground coal gasification ever conducted in the world; this depth showcases the opportunity to utilize Alberta’s deep vast coal reserves for future energy production. Revealed that clean synthetic gas can be successfully manufactured at depths never before achieved in Alberta or elsewhere. The successful injection of saline water in the gasification process demonstrates a viable alternative from utilizing fresh water and in doing so showcased the significant environmental advantage over processes requiring the use of fresh water for energy generation. Reinforced that Swan Hills Synfuels’ coal resource has excellent geology and coal properties for ISCG. Successfully demonstrated key ISCG process control fundamentals including elevating the coal to very high temperatures to create gasification.
16 http://swanhills-synfuels.com
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Bio-energy and Biomass The Whitecourt Power biomass facility is made up of one steam turbine and one generator, and it uses wood waste to generate electricity. The combustion process uses fluidized bubbling bed boiler combustion technology, and generates hot gases that in turn produce steam, which is then used to generate electricity in the turbine/generator.
The Whitecourt Power plant provides a consistent level of power, similar to coal or gas, but it uses renewable resources and has a carbon neutral footprint. It does not contribute to pollution nor remove resources from the environment.
Whitecourt was the first power generating facility in Canada to be certified under the federal government’s EcoLogo program, and began selling renewable energy credits in 2012 to Alberta’s power grid.
The wood waste biomass comes from Millar Western, Blue Ridge Lumber, Alberta Newsprint Company and other smaller mills in the area. It is part of a strongly integrated forestry industry in the region.
Additionally, Dapp Power, north of Westlock, is an electrical generating facility that provides power into the Alberta electrical grid system using various sources of waste wood biomass as fuel. The Dapp plant uses a process to convert wood waste to combustible gasses then creates electrical energy for sale into the power grid. Biofuels Inc., an independent enterprise, is engaged in the diversion of waste wood material from landfill in Edmonton and surrounding area. Biofuels Inc. receives and processes waste wood into chips for transport to the Dapp Power plant facility.
The process at both these plants produces a wood ash byproduct is used by local area landowners as a soil conditioner to raise pH levels and add nutrients to agricultural land.
The Canadian Biomass map in Figure F.3.4 demonstrates the cluster of biomass technology in the GROWTH Alberta region of the province along with the Grande Prairie region.
Millar Western has also brought on a new bioenergy plant at its Whitecourt pulp mill. Anaerobic hybrid digesters (AHD) are integrated into the existing aerobic effluent treatment system. AHD units recover organic material from the effluent stream and convert it to a biogas. After conditioning, the biogas will be used to fuel reciprocating engines, to generate 5.2 MW of electricity for use in the pulp operations.
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Figure F.3.4: Canadian Biomass Map
= Power Stations Source: Canadian Biomass Magazine
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F.3.5 Tourism In addition to the natural, historical, cultural, and recreation assets listed previously, other notable tourism providers include:
Figure F.3.5: GROWTH Alberta Tourism Vendors
Tourism Vendors Alberta Flyboards Barry’s Ultra Motor Park (B.U.M.P.) Bone Yard Compound Eagle River Casino and Travel Plaza Eden North - tandem and solo skydive opportunities. Edmonton Skydiving School at Westlock Airport Groat Creek Outfitters Hog Wild Specialties - bowhunting/adventure tourism Horse Creek Ranch – attracts visitors from all over the world Lac Isle Kayaking Adventures Living the Dream Productions - world class outfitter John Rivet Pine Valley Resort POW Paintball Rochfort Bridge Trading Post & Restaurant Shady Lane Estates Upstream Drift Co. – guided fishing tours Wabamun Marina & RV Park Woodlands RV Park & River Marina - One-of-a-kind riverboat marina, provides river tours
Did you know? The Klondike Ferry is one of the last running ferries in Alberta. The adjacent Klondike Ferry Park has campsites and various hiking and biking trails. Hubert Lake Wildland Park is an important nesting area for great blue herons and sandhill cranes. A small caribou herd wanders in and out of the park. At Horse Creek Ranch, visitors have the opportunity to ride through a portion of Alberta's historic Klondike Trail used by the original prospectors seeking their fortune in Yukon. Barry’s Ultra Motorsports Park (BUMP) has 4 motocross tracks of varying length and difficulty, and over 40 km of off-road trails. The Boneyard Compound was created for the sole purpose of increasing youth involvement in the obstacle course racing community. Nearly 20,000 pieces of steel make up the Swan Hills Wilderness Statue of a Swan protecting her nest from a Grizzly Bear. This sculpture has been rated as one of the top 50 roadside attractions in Canada.
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