Major Investment Attraction
M.D. of Bonnyville SiteLink 2024
The M.D. of Bonnyville hosted SiteLink Forum 2024 from September 18 to 20. SiteLink Forum 2024 was a premier boutique event focused on investment attraction for site selectors, economic development professionals, Realtors, developers, engineers, utilities, and other service providers.
The three-day event provided, training, networking, best practices, and emerging trends for investment attraction.
This event featured site selection professionals and location advisors from across North America.
The site selectors shared their knowledge of industrial real estate, business relocation, creating meaningful economic development opportunities, bringing together investors and governments, workforce assessment, and business park feasibility studies.
Invited guests included keynote speaker MLA Shane Getson, who discussed economic corridors and regional impacts. Mr. Getson leveraged his 28 years plus in industrial construction and experience in oil and gas, mining, road construction, and telecommunications, and his activity on various committees and international organizations to speak to the positives of investing in Alberta.
With over 30 years in economic development, supporting commercial and industrial tax base growth in Canadian municipalities guest speaker David Kalinchuk, known as The Mercenary Economist, presented on the last day of SiteLink. He consults with and for land developers, real estate brokers, corporate decision-makers, and local officials, while driving economic opportunities in Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. He emphasized leveraging information from site selectors and keynote speakers to boost investment attraction in the M.D.
SiteLink Forum 2024 was a valuable event for knowledge sharing and showcasing M.D. business culture and investment opportunities.
Event attendees completed surveys to provide crucial insights for M.D. Senior Leadership and Council.
The event highlights and survey findings have been presented to Council with go forward recommendations. The recommendations will support M.D. Council’s strategic priorities for economic development including building a viable and diversified regional economy, with the SiteLink Forum serving as a foundational element for achieving this goal.
Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Cold Lake 4-Wing
Guest Speaker Bob Bezpalko, Alberta HUB
Tour Stop – Kinosoo Ridge Resort
Tour Stop – M.D. of Bonnyville Regional Airport
Tour Stop – Imperial Oil Nabiye Plant
Tour Stop – Kinosoo Ridge Resort
Keynote Speaker Shane Getson, MLA
Tour Stop – M.D. of Bonnyville Regional Airport
Airport Master Plan
The M.D. Bonnyville will be developing an Airport Master Plan in early 2025. The goal of the Airport Master Plan is to ready the M.D. for any future expansion of the airport, which will foster economic and community development including the adjacent industrial subdivision.
This plan will analyze the airport’s economic, social, and emergency benefits, utilization levels, and include a multi-year capital asset management plan. It would also cover airside and groundside improvements, airport activity forecasts, noise exposure forecasts, and a 20-year proforma. Additionally, the plan will assess aeronautical fees, lease rates, and develop a resource guide for grant applications.
The master plan aims to create a long-term vision and strategy for the airport, ensuring continuity through administrative changes. This comprehensive approach is essential for attracting investment and supporting regional airport development.
The Alberta Airports Management Association Final Report (published May 16, 2024) highlights significant developments and initiatives aimed at enhancing the province’s airport infrastructure and operations. Additionally, the report concludes with a call to action for continued investment in airport infrastructure and a commitment to fostering innovation and resilience in the face of evolving industry demands.
Overall, the AAMA’s final report underscores the critical role of airports in driving regional development and highlights the association’s ongoing efforts to support a thriving and efficient airport network in Alberta.
Airport Economic Development Impact Assessment
Through the Northern and Regional Economic Development provincial grant program, the M.D. has submitted an application to conduct an Airport Development Impact Assessment as part of an Investment Attraction Action Plan, which was identified in the M.D. Business and Industry Growth Strategy.
This work focuses on the return on investment needed to support infrastructure expansion at the industrial subdivision adjacent to the M.D. of Bonnyville Regional Airport. The assessment will look at possible upgrades and costs that would be seen as attractive to investors to generate lot sales and new building construction.
This research will guide investment activities. Look for a summary of the results in future editions of Growing Your Business.
M.D. of Bonnyville Regional Airport
Micro-credentials
Micro-credentials are short-term, flexible learning programs designed to help Albertans develop the specialized, job-ready skills they need to quickly re-skill or up-skill to pivot in their careers or re-enter the workforce. New programs will be targeted towards key partners identified in Alberta’s Recovery Plan: Energy, Agriculture and Forestry, Tourism and Hospitality, Culture, Technology, Aviation, Aerospace and Logistics, Finance, and Financial Technology.
Lakeland College
lakelandcollege.ca/programs-and-courses/microcredentials.aspx
Portage College
portagecollege.ca/micro-credentials
Strategic Energy Management for Industry (SEMI) program
The Government of Alberta and Natural Resources Canada are committing a combined $50 million for Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) a new Strategic Energy Management for Industry (SEMI) program. SEMI will help program participants increase profitability by reducing energy costs, growing organizational skills and capacity building, and helping cover the cost of capital retrofits.
SEMI is designed to provide owners and tenants of Alberta’s industrial and manufacturing facilities with knowledge, expertise, and training in energy management. This $50 million program will help the province’s industrial and manufacturing sectors increase competitiveness and reduce greenhouse gas emissions until March 2027.
Eligible facilities may also include those involved in energy-intensive processes that physically or chemically transform materials or substances into new products.
Eligible industrial sectors, defined by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes, include:
• 11 – Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting
21 – Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
22 – Utilities
• 23 – Construction
• 31-32-33 – Manufacturing
• 48 – Transportation, and
• 56 – Administrative and support, waste management, and remediation services.
Conduct an Energy Assessment and Audit and receive up to $50,000 per facility. Implement an Energy Management Information System and receive up to $50,000 for facilities consuming under 400,000 GJ annually, or up to $250,000 for those consuming more. Participate in Strategic Energy Management training and receive up to $100,000 per facility. Invest in energy-efficient Capital Retrofit projects and receive up to $1,000,000 per facility.
For more information on the program, see bit.ly/SEMIInfo or for information about applying, visit bit.ly/SEMIApplication
Visiting with business
In the Spring of 2023, the Municipal District of Bonnyville (M.D.) started a business visitation program. Over the past 16 months, over 50 business visits were completed and connected the M.D. Economic Development Specialist with a range of industry sectors.
During the visits, businesses identified years in operation, employment numbers, goods manufacturing, importing and exporting activities, business expansion and contraction, and supply chain issues as well as the positive and negative aspects of operating a business in M.D.
These visits allowed the M.D. an opportunity to learn about local business culture and to identify the strength and capacity while identifying challenges, trends, and opportunities facing local businesses.
The data provides and market intelligence to help retain and grow local businesses, attract new companies to fill any gaps, and helps the local economy with supply chain issues and lead generation. It also helps business operators with site selection and pathfinding for project specific planning and permitting, grants, and investor connections.
The knowledge collected during business visits helps increase competitiveness in the wider marketplace by identifying import and export activities. This data, when shared, supports agencies such as Invest Alberta and Invest in Canada market opportunities in the M.D.
The survey results show many M.D. businesses visited todate have fewer than 20 employees and believe they have a business-friendly local government. Over 65 per cent feel their business is growing, 44 per cent believe their business is good or improving, 40 per cent of businesses indicated increased employment over the past year, and 96 per cent of respondents recommend starting or relocating a business in the M.D. of Bonnyville. The survey indicated 43 per cent of businesses believe the availability of talented labour is an issue for their business.
Knowing the M.D. business culture helps with retaining and increasing local jobs, preserving or increasing the local tax base, and enhancing the image and confidence level of the M.D. business community as a place to invest, and diversify the economic base.
For more information and statistics, email ecdev@md.bonnyville.ab.ca.
Business Support Partners
Below, you will find links to business support agencies available to local companies and descriptions of the programs and services they offer including workshops and seminars.
Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) offers a variety of loans for primary agricultural producers to assist with the purchase of land and equipment, production quotas, succession planning, breeding livestock, working capital, debt reduction, and more by offering long-term competitive interest rates, no annual fees, and payment schedules to fit cash flow.
Loan programs include The Next Generation Loan Program for young producers, The Developing Producer, and The Alberta Producer Loan Program to acquire assets needed to maintain and grow operations.
afsc.ca
ALBERTA INNOVATES
Alberta Innovates helps Alberta entrepreneurs and industry and focuses on applied research in various sectors, including agriculture, clean resources, emerging technologies, and health innovation. They support advanced hydrocarbons and Agri-Food Innovation projects. Alberta Innovates also backs Regional Innovation Networks, such as Start Up Lloydminster in East Central Alberta.
albertainnovates.ca | eastcentralrin.com
ALBERTA WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) builds capacity and helps entrepreneurial women build connections with other entrepreneurs and experts with seminars, events, training sessions, and conferences.
AWE has four core programs — Start Up, Bold Leadership, Business Beyond Borders, and Strengthening Partnerships, as well as several loan programs including Growth Loan and Capital Growth Loan Initiative.
AWE provides free advising services to women entrepreneurs. An AWE Business Advisor can help with your business strategy, delivery model, and how to manage cash flow.
awebusiness.com
BONNYVILLE AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Bonnyville and District Chamber of Commerce exists to help businesses flourish in the Bonnyville region and is the voice of business in the area.
Through advocacy, support and promotion, the Chamber provides value to the community and its membership.
bonnyvillechamber.com
BUSINESS LINK
Supporting Alberta small businesses offering free one-on-one business advice, market research, business plan reviews, workshops and presentations, Indigenous services, immigrant entrepreneur services, and access to free small business resource tools.
businesslink.ca
COLD LAKE REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce is an advocacy agency first. The chamber works to grow relationships with all levels of government to strengthen the voice of local business owners.
The Chamber believes a strong local economy starts with a well-connected business community. Members have access to exclusive workshops, webinars, programs, and seminars.
coldlakechamber.ca
COMMUNITY FUTURES LAKELAND
Community Futures Lakeland (CFL) supports small business owners with training, guidance, and financial aid. They offer business coaching, training services, and flexible loans for start-ups. CFL also supports the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities program, a Local Business Beautification Loan, the Digital Squad for ecommerce assistance, and Lemonade Day, which teaches youth to start and run their own businesses.
lakeland.albertacf.com
FUTURPRENEUR
Futurpreneur is the only national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring, and support tools to aspiring business owners ages 18 to 39. They make it easier for aspiring young business owners to secure financing by partnering with BDC to extend its support from $20,000 to $60,000 with $40,000 of BDC funding.
Futurpreneur and RBC Future Launch present Rock My Business, a free, virtual, three-part workshop series that will help you develop your idea, get started on your business plan and create a viable cashflow for your business.
futurpreneur.ca
PRAIRIES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CANADA
Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) diversifies the economy across the Canadian Prairies supporting community economic development across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
In September, the federal government invested over $4 million through PrairiesCan to enhance tourism in Alberta, benefiting small businesses, non-profits, and communities. The funding aims to attract visitors from across Canada and globally, supporting over 165 jobs and leveraging an additional $2.8 million from other government and industry sources. The initiative strengthens Alberta’s tourism sector, which is vital for economic growth in diverse regions, including Indigenous communities. These investments align with the Government of Canada’s Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy, promoting collaboration across the Prairies to create a competitive economy.
bit.ly/PrairiesCanFunding
TRAVEL ALBERTA
Travel Alberta supports the tourism sector via the Travel Alberta Industry Hub, providing operators with information regarding programs and tools, training and events, visitor and marketing insights, and news and media.
Travel Alberta’s Learning Portal is a resource that connects tourism businesses with insights, expertise, and best practices such as a brand tool kit and research and business solutions to help guide marketing and business activities.
Travel Alberta supports tourism development, with three grant streams — Product Development Fund, Rural Development & Promotional Fund, and Events & Festivals Fund.
Travel Alberta supports operators by providing Visitor Profiles which identifies visitor origin, length of stay, trip purpose, accommodation, and spending in Alberta.
industry.travelalberta.com
Facts & figures
CANADIAN SMALL BUSINESS CONFIDENCE
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business produces a small business barometer. The monthly barometer surveys and tracks small business confidence, expectations, and operating conditions in Canada.
September 2024 results
OCTOBER SECTOR OVERVIEW
The four most optimistic industry sectors (while still below historic averages) are:
• finance and insurance
• information, arts, and recreation professional services, and health and education. Read the full Monthly Business
