Town to support Prairie Economic Gateway

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Town of Strathmore council has voted to support funding applications by the Prairie Economic Gateway initiative.

Mayor Pat Fule was authorized to sign the letter of support as of the June 24 meeting of council, following a presentation on the current state of the project.

“The Prairie Economic Gateway Initiative is a first of its kind collaboration between the City of Calgary and Rocky View County to enable rail service, industrial development, and economic diversification in the Calgary region,” said Angela Groeneveld, senior manager of economic stability and investment. “The Gateway is the epicenter of an island port that will enhance nation building by extending investments beyond our congested seaports and into the hinterland where significant industrial lands and capacity exist.”

The partnership is projected to generate over $7 billion in economic activity and create more than 30,000 jobs across the Calgary region over the next 10 to 12 years.

Once established, it is intended to leverage the regional strategic locations on the Calgary Pacific Kansas City rail network in order to enable greater interprovincial trade and global market access, as well as unlock new opportunities.

Groeneveld added she advocated directly with the Province of Alberta and with Prairie Gateway on behalf of the Town of Strathmore to be included on any discussions regarding the project moving forward.

The project is largely in its foundational stages at this time and is anticipated to be under discussion for the next several years.

Responding to an inquiry from Fule, Groeneveld explained she anticipates a number of jobs relating to the project eventually being available to Strathmore residents as it carries forward. 

“Looking at the size of it and why they are going to be going after, I personally see many different levels of employment there,” she said. “A lot of the jobs that are coming into the communities right now in the country surrounding us are specific trade and specific post-secondary training. When we did the workforce study on Strathmore, we do not have a lot of that type of opportunity (or) employers available for those (types of work]).”

It was noted 1,300 acres are under discussion for allocation in Rocky View County to support the project within the immediate Calgary region, which includes support for Strathmore, Wheatland County, and Siksika Nation.

Groeneveld suggested manufacturers in Strathmore will come to have the opportunity to get their products to foreign markets by way of this rail project upon its completion, however it will not expand closer to Strathmore than the existing plans for Rocky View County. Instead, current rail infrastructure will be integrated.

“This will be huge for the Town of Strathmore, just from more jobs landing within it for our residents, as well as the opportunity for some spin-off businesses, especially with the initiatives that we have been talking about as far as making or promoting an eastern corridor,” said Coun. Matt Hyde. “I am excited about this – I think it is going to be great for our community; I think it is going to be great for the region, and overall, great for the Province of Alberta.”

Further information regarding the project has been made publicly available via the City of Calgary and Rocky View County.