Town of Vegreville Receives Over $8.2 Million

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

Wednesday, September 2 was a banner day for the Town of Vegreville as it will be receiving over $8.2 million to build its own Agri-Food Industrial Park.

The announcement was made by Fort Saskatchewan- Vegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk who said the investment will create approximately 200 jobs and diversify the provincial economy.

“I’m so proud to be here today knowing that everyone’s work has paid off. From the day Mr. Panda and Mr. McIver were sworn into office I have been knocking tirelessly on their door and advocating for Vegreville. And I really wanted to make sure the provincial portion of this investment happened.

This partnership shows what can be accomplished when all three levels of government work together. The federal government will be investing $4.95 million, the Alberta Government is investing $3.3 million, and the Town of Vegreville is providing $1.65 million towards the project. $9.9 million will go towards building an agri-food industrial park on the piece of land on the east side of town,” stated Armstrong-Homeniuk.

The Agri-Food Industrial Park will be located at SE17-52-14-W4. The 80-acre development will be fully serviced and will target leading hemp innovators to Vegreville.

“Now that we’ve secured the financing and we’ve done the engineering it’s time to get this project out to tender, and hopefully even get some of it started this fall. To show our commitment to the investors who want to come here. That being said, our job is only half done. As a council, we will need to pursue these investors and show them what a great opportunity this is for their business to strive in our community. The more we can promote our community, the more businesses will want to come and invest in this park,” stated Vegreville Mayor Tim MacPhee.

He went on to say, “We are going to run water, sewer throughout the park, sanitary and we have to build a lift station to get to the lagoon. Roads, and access to different sized parcels so it’s going to be fully developed land in the industrial park and then we’re going to start selling off the land. We already have two very interested large anchors to start with.” MacPhee said those two anchors can bring 60 to 80 employees each, and with all of the spin-off jobs, once they begin creating and selling raw projects, there could easily see close to 400 jobs in the industrial park. Both MacPhee and Armstrong- Homeniuk thanked the various ministers as well as MP Shannon Stubbs. They said Stubbs worked tirelessly advocating for the town and the project. MacPhee also thanked Town Manager Cliff Craig, members of senior management and council for their commitment and efforts over the past three years.

Jamieson Brown, President of the Vegreville & District Chamber of Commerce, federal and provincial governments as well as MLA Armstrong- Homeniuk, MP Shannon Stubbs, town council, administration, and staff of the Town of Vegreville. “We have felt for a long time that Vegreville is strategically placed in terms of its potential for growth and in terms of its leadership that it is ready to thrive. And this is a project that will certainly help do just that.”