Page 18 - InvestinAlberta-EDA-2024-2

PREDA
Rural regeneration
BETWEEN THE ROCKY Mountain foothills and Canada’s great plains lies the Peace Region of northwestern Alberta and northeastern British Columbia. The area is covered with dense forests full of diverse species living in and along rivers that wind into beautiful lakes.
It also features some of the best farmland in the country, where long summer days help a variety of grains and oil seeds thrive.
In the regional centre of Grande Prairie, Northwestern Polytechnic works with regional producers to enhance production, resilience,
and ecosystem health in northern
PREDA AT A GLANCE
regenerative agricultural systems. Experts and practitioners
from Indigenous and Western scientific communities help growers optimize regenerative practices, which rebuild soil and battle climate change. This has made them world leaders in the production of regeneratively farmed goods, and conserved the unique soil and land resources
of the Peace Region in an era of climate change challenges. Two hours northeast of
Grande Prairie, the Centre for Boreal Research in the town of Peace River is an applied research facility that promotes the informed use of boreal resources through applied science,
education, and partnerships with industry, government agencies, practitioners and academic partners.
To harness the region’s potential, the Peace Region Economic Development Alliance (PREDA) brings together 26 municipalities to guide regional economic development. Membership also includes Northern Lakes College and Community Futures, both of which provide regional support for small businesses, entrepreneurs and skilled trades.
Member Communities
Major Projects Value
$9.3 billion
Number of Businesses 4,040
Key Industries
Agriculture, Energy, Forestry, Tourism
Website
PeaceCountryCanada.com
GROWTH ALBERTA
AT A GLANCE
Member Communities
8
Area
13,331 km2 Population
30,113
Major Projects Value
$2.4 billion Number of
Businesses
833
Key Industries
Agriculture, Energy, Forestry, Manufacturing, Tourism, Transportation
Website
WildAlberta.com
Source: Government
of Alberta, GROWTH Alberta
Area
126,939 km2 Source: Government of Alberta, PREDA
Population
83,701
26
GROWTH ALBERTA
Focused on site selection
IN A WORLD where things happen at breakneck speed, it’s tough to be first at anything. The Growth Alberta region managed such a feat when it partnered with communities and businesses in northwestern Alberta to host a first-of- its-kind-in Canada, three-day conference at the Eagle River Casino & Travel Plaza, just outside Whitecourt.
Working with Webster Global Site Selectors, the region hosted SiteLink Forum, bringing together some 40 regional community builders to listen and learn from six site-selection gurus. Attendees learned about the trends in workforce retention, the work-from-home
phenomenon and the intense competition for talent. And, more importantly it covered, what it takes to be ready for multi-million-dollar inter- national investment. Invest Alberta was in attendance to remind everyone of the resources they bring to the table here at home and around the world.
In-depth conversations were had about enormous, high-tech greenhouse operations, the hydrogen economy, carbon sequestration and much more. The presenters ignited sparks among participants and set the stage for ongoing dialogue in the Growth Alberta region about tangible benefits.
In 2022, the Growth Alberta region was also selected for one of 19 provincial projects exploring the viability of carbon-storage hubs. In partnership with industry, Growth Alberta will play an integral role in fostering understanding and delivering education regarding these opportunities.
The region is working hard to elevate the profile of Northern Alberta. The most common refrain from new American friends was, “We had no idea how much Alberta there was north of Edmonton!” Let’s show ’em!
A second SiteLink Forum occured in 2023, hosted by Lac La Biche County. Growth Alberta was there, strengthening connections with U.S. site selectors and showcasing all the region has to offer.
18 INVEST IN ALBERTA 2 0 2 4
EDAAlberta.ca