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 Schollie Research & Consulting Page 1 GROWTH Alberta Investment Readiness Study & Strategy – Final Report 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 Schollie Research & Consulting Page 2 GROWTH Alberta Investment Readiness Study & Strategy – Final Report 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: