JANUARY 8, 2020
News Advertiser PAGE 5
www.NewsAdvertiser.com
Hemp and Cannabis Industry Continues to Ripen in Vegreville Michelle Pinon News Advertiser Investor confidence in the hemp and cannabis industry continues to grow, and the Town of Vegreville has its pulse on a number of prospects who are interested in putting down roots in the community. “We’re working with two different investors who are looking for two different products out of the decortication process, and they both might end up here,” stated Vegreville Mayor Tim MacPhee. In fact, there is one company the town is currently negotiating with. ”We are looking at setting up a MOU (Memorandum Of Understanding) with them,” said MacPhee. In general terms, an MOU is a document which outlines the details of an agreement between two parties which has not yet been legally approved. Things also look promising for attracting a textiles company, said MacPhee. Town officials gave those investors a
tour of the town in late November. “That Quebec company we were talking with needs a place in Western Canada to grow the product that would be shipped back to their plant in Quebec.” As well, “There’s also another Alberta based company we’ve been talking with for the last three or four months who is going to have a presence in the community, and may be using the town office or other location temporarily.” Right now, “We’re looking a servicing some land east of town.” The municipality also owns a parcel of land designated as light industrial across from the research company Alberta Innovates Technology Futures. What is most needed in order to create a “hemp cluster” is a decortication plant in Vegreville, pointed out MacPhee. A decortication plant would be capable of separating the seed and fibre from the plant that in turn could be utilized in a variety of ways. What is also needed is a supplier, added MacPhee, and the town is now working to facilitate that.
“We are very lucky in Vegreville. We’re one of the best places in the world to grow hemp because of our hours of daylight and the type of soil we have here. The conditions are set up for hemp. They’ve been growing hemp at InnoTech for almost 20 years and have site selective data that will support the farmers.” He feels the development of the hemp and cannabis is a natural fit for local farmers, that it will add another crop to their rotation, and add value to their farming operations. “We feel we’re better positioned than anybody else in North America…These farmers are part of our community, and if we can be partners with them in this who new industry, then it’s a win for everybody.” Another benefit for the town is having the Cannabis & Hemp Innovation Centre (CHIC) located here. CHIC is an education and business development innovation hub that brings together stakeholders, academic experts, industry representatives and associated gov-
Rib Fry a Sizzling Success Submitted
Hundreds of people were treated to mouth-watering ribs courtesy of Vegreville Auto & Industrial Supply
and Full Throttle Truck & Trailer on December 24. The customer appreciation event was exceptionally popular and a great way to enjoy the holi-
Hundreds of people attended the annual rib fry on Dec. 24.
day season. A total of 800 lbs of ribs were cooked and served to the appreciative crowd.
ernment bodies together. “To have a research facility to support them (CHIC) is a very big deal,” added MacPhee. “They’re trying to bring in a post secondary partner and get accreditation in the industry.” MacPhee recently attended a special event at CHIC where budding entrepreneurs made business pitches, and in return received advice from investors on how to develop
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