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Economic strength

Alberta's energy and natural resources are the drivers behind the Edmonton region's economic strength. Selling to and servicing these industries has attracted a diversified base of business and industry to the Parkland County region.

Our region's economy is:

• diverse - representing industries inside and outside of Alberta's energy sector
• attractive - to the best and brightest from across the globe building a skilled, hard-working labour force
• sustainable -- even during periods of softening oil prices

Major Business Attraction Program

Parkland County has a created a Major Business Attraction Program to attract investors and major industry to the area. Attracting high quality business investment into Parkland County plays a major role in creating economic growth, job creation, diversifying the economic activity and allowing Parkland County to compete in the global marketplace. 

The County understands that large industry projects can be complex and require a more specialized approach. The Major Business Attraction Program brings a dedicated team to aid in the process of either building or relocating to Parkland County.

Transportation

Parkland County is ideally suited to take advantage of the region's excellent transportation networks to reach both domestic and international markets.

Transportation networks include:

• Six highways through the County: Highway 16 (Yellowhead), 16A, 22, 43, 44 and 60
• Easy access to Edmonton's Anthony Henday Drive (AHD) for efficient travel around Edmonton
• Canamex Highway, a seamless connection from Alaska to key U.S. and Mexican markets
• Acheson, north of the North Saskatchewan River, so firms can ship heavier loads without weight restrictions
• The Edmonton link on the Ports to Plains Corridor from the Port of Prince Rupert through the prairies and major Midwest U.S. cities to the Texas gulf coast
• The North American Super Corridor (NASCO) linking additional midwest and southern U.S. markets and ports

Established customer bases

Parkland County businesses serve an increasingly diverse customer base including:

•  oil and gas supply and support services
•  forestry
•  mining
•  agri-business
•  manufacturing
•  transportation, distribution and logistics
•  construction

Opportunity also exists in the steadily growing consumer market across western Canada.  Particularly in northern communities, demand from the less-than-truckload sector is increasing to distribute goods to locations where deliveries are consolidated for multiple communities.

Skilled labour force

Drawing from a regional population of almost 1.1 million, the labour force in the Edmonton region offers:

• over 60% with post-secondary education or apprenticeship training and another 23% with high school;
• diverse skills and experience;
• proven productivity, one of the two highest rates in Canada according to Statistics Canada; and
• a stable workforce who want to raise their families nearby.

Three major post-secondary institutions serve the Edmonton region:

1. University of Alberta
2. MacEwan University
3. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), one of Canada's largest trade apprenticeship trainers.

Supporting you

The following programs and initiatives sustain Parkland County's reputation as one of Alberta's best communities for business:

• One window contact - the Economic Diversification team is the first point of contact for industry and business and then we stay in touch
• Specialty focus - unique knowledge of Parkland County, and insights on the best fit for your business
• One-on-one business facilitation - insider links to tools and resources no matter how large or small your business or your request
• Business Visitation Program - we come to you to learn how we can help you meet your goals or resolve issues 
• We listen and act - we take your comments into account as we develop new initiatives or revise current ones

Stay connected

We stay connected with the economic development scene throughout the Edmonton region, Alberta and Canada. We're members of:

• Greater Edmonton Economic Development,
• Economic Developers Alberta,
• Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC), and
• International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

We also stay connected with the Acheson Business Association, and the Greater Parkland Regional Chamber of Commerce.  And we're on top of news from the Capital Region Board, responsible for the region's growth plan.