News

Keep up to date with the latest news and notifications that concern economic & business development in Spruce Grove & Region.

Spotlight on Indigenous Economic Development

Friday, March 22, 2019

Growing a $100 Billion Aboriginal Economy The Indigenous economy in Canada was estimated at $32 billion in 2016 – and its growth has been outpacing that of the national economy since then. With the Aboriginal youth population set to grow at 4 times the national average in the coming years, the Indigenous economy represents large untapped potential for the growth of Canada’s future economy. But persistent challenges remain: lack of access to capital, limited ownership positions in major projects on Aboriginal territories, a skills gap for Aboriginal entrepreneurs and workforce, and others. But the potential and collective will to grow the...

Alberta announces $100M, 5-year investment in artificial intelligence

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

The Alberta government plans to spend $100 million over five years to attract investment from artificial intelligence-focused tech companies. The money will go to Alberta Innovates, the province’s research development agency, and the non-profit Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute. Some of the initial funds will go toward helping Edmonton-based Amii expand into a new office in Calgary. Read full article.

Made-in-Alberta plan moves $2-billion investment forward

Monday, March 18, 2019

Premier Rachel Notley’s Made-in-Alberta energy strategy is taking a major step forward in diversifying the economy, creating new jobs and adding more value to our resources. Calgary-based Value Creation Inc. (VCI) and its wholly owned subsidiary Value Chain Solutions Inc. are on track to invest $2 billion in an upgrading facility in the Alberta Industrial Heartland, just east of Edmonton, which will create more than 2,000 construction jobs and another 200 full-time positions once the facility is up and running. This is just the first of several new projects made possible through the Made-in-Alberta strategy to do more upgrading and refining of...

Alberta-based solar power on the rise

Friday, March 15, 2019

The Government of Alberta has awarded a historic 20-year contract to supply government properties with solar power from three facilities located between Medicine Hat and Calgary. This solar electricity contract will be the most cost-effective government procurement of solar power in Canadian history. At an average price of 4.8 cents per kilowatt hour (kW-h), Alberta’s proven approach to attracting new investment in renewable energy is once again setting national records, repeating the success of the Renewable Electricity Program. The new contract will supply approximately 55 per cent of the government’s annual electricity needs, saving $3.9 million per year compared to the expiring...

Expand Your Markets to Europe

Friday, March 15, 2019

Are you interested in expanding your markets to Europe? As a government and business official, are you sometimes at a loss to explain and/or understand the European Union? The Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union (EU) opens a huge market of more than 450M consumers to Canadian businesses and government procurers. The EU is offering a free one-day training session on how businesses and government can take advantage of CETA in Edmonton, April 16th at the Matrix hotel. Achim Hurrelmann, a professor and expert on the EU will provide an overview of the EU and its institutions...

Alberta Companies - Unmanned Industry - Invitation to Attend

Monday, March 11, 2019

AUVSI XPONENTIAL The Government of Alberta, in cooperation with Global Affairs Canada, is supporting Alberta companies interested in participating in the Alberta Pavilion at AUVSI’S Xponential in Chicago, Illinois from April 30th – May 2nd, 2019. AUVSI is the world’s largest non-profit organization exclusively devoted to advancing the global unmanned systems and robotics community. Thousands of leaders in drones, intelligent robotics and unmanned systems will be attending. This show has proven to be an excellent opportunity for companies in Alberta’s unmanned systems sector to showcase their products and capabilities, along with valuable networking opportunities.

Alberta invests in innovation to fuel the future

Thursday, March 07, 2019

GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA The Alberta government is investing $100 million to attract more artificial intelligence-based high-tech companies to invest in Alberta. Coupled with last year’s investment of $50 million to create 3,000 new high-tech training seats at post-secondary institutions across the province, this represents a significant diversification initiative. The overall investment is estimated to result in: more than 6,000 trained, skilled Albertans the creation of over 140 new companies over 30 new multi-national offices, labs in Alberta over $207 million in leveraged investments by industry increased competitiveness and productivity of at least 150 Alberta businesses through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) Read full story here.

Economic Development Funding & Grants

Thursday, March 07, 2019

GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA The Alberta Government provides a listing of current tax credits, grants, and other funding programs to stimulate regional economic development, some which include Affordable Housing, Indigenous, Export, and Community initiatives.

Inclusion & Diversity in the Workplace

Thursday, March 07, 2019

SPRUCE GROVE & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Would you like to learn how to make your business more profitable and enrich your workplace culture? The Spruce Grove & District Chamber of Commerce is proud to host a Trade & Workshop Expo show highlighting the profitable benefits of inclusion and diversity in the workplace.

Spruce Grove to choose site for new Transit Station

Thursday, March 07, 2019

SPRUCE GROVE EXAMINER Residents will soon know the exact location of the City’s new Transit Station. Council passed first reading of the proposed amendment to the Pioneer Lands Area Structure Plan bylaw. The proposed amendment aims to adjust the ASP’S development concept by relocating an area of medium, to high density residential and to better identify the intended location of the Transit Station included in the plan. Read full story here.

Trade Accelerator Program (TAP)

Thursday, March 07, 2019

EDMONTON The Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) is a comprehensive, hands-on series of workshops helping small to medium-sized enterprises scale up and strategically enter the global market.

Canada and Alberta: We need to expand our views beyond our borders

Monday, January 28, 2019

Takeaways: 1- Climate change is bringing new market opportunities and the traditional energy sector already has the applicable skillsets for emerging sectors. 2- Government should step up to take risks where the free market would not, and to initiate innovation. However, the free market needs to come in once those activities are initiated so it can fuel this innovation while making a sizeable return on investment. 3- Canada’s stability is becoming very apparent, and will produce new and expanding opportunities. Action: Canada should aim to reach beyond its borders. We have to get our innovation into a product, get that product into a tangible market, and then make...

INVENTURES 2019 ANNOUNCES INTERNATIONAL PITCH COMPETITION

Friday, January 25, 2019

Alberta Innovates is seeking innovators to participate in an international pitch competition as part of Inventures 2019. Last year, the event represented the single largest source of venture capital in Canada. Inventures is a global innovation conference in Calgary, Alberta, held June 5-7. It brings together the brightest ideas in emerging technologies that are transforming economies, industries and communities across the globe. “Inventures is a great opportunity to attract leading start-ups to Alberta, showcase the outstanding support that Alberta provides to innovators, and help local entrepreneurs connect with a global ecosystem of peers,” said Alberta Innovates CEO Laura Kilcrease. “This event gives top...

Alberta’s economic recovery continues

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

For the second year in a row, Alberta led the country in economic growth. More Albertans are working and job opportunities are growing, with more than 58,900 jobs created in the past year. Alberta continues to have the highest employment rate in the country and the highest weekly earnings, while paying the lowest taxes in Canada. On average, Albertans pay $11 billion less in taxes a year compared to the next lowest-taxed jurisdiction. Read full article.

HWY 60 overpass in the Acheson Industrial Area

Monday, January 21, 2019

EDMONTON JOURNAL The province will twin Highway 60 east of Edmonton and build an overpass to ease traffic congestion at a rail crossing in Acheson, says Premier Rachel Notley.

Spruce Grove council examines arena plan

Monday, January 21, 2019

SPRUCE GROVE EXAMINER City of Spruce Grove Council is tasked with finding the balance between community need with project viability. Jon Hack, Director of Planning for Sierra Planning, Rick Kozuback President and CEO of the International Coliseum Society, and Don Dethlefs, architect with Perkins and Will laid out three comprehensive options for the proposed new area complex.

Tri-Region mayors sign development agreements

Monday, January 21, 2019

SPRUCE GROVE EXAMINER Tri-Region mayors have signed two agreements that will help shape the three municipalities over the next three decades.

Wind projects create jobs, Indigenous partnerships

Tuesday, January 08, 2019

GOA Private companies are partnering with First Nations to invest around $1.2 billion in renewable energy projects in Alberta, which create new jobs and continue with record-setting low prices for Albertans.

Latest economic highlights for Alberta

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA View presentations and reports that highlight Alberta's economy.

Global wood pellet markets increasing

Tuesday, January 08, 2019

CANADIAN BIOMASS Global wood pellet markets have increased significantly. For the last several years, the industrial wood pellet sector was as large as the heating pellet sector, and is expected to become significantly larger over the next decade.

News

Keep up to date with the latest news and notifications that concern economic & business development in Spruce Grove & Region.

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