This release was issued under a previous government.
The Capital Region Board (CRB) will benefit from $300,000 to do background research as it explores the viability of a new regional economic development entity. The project will focus on current economic development relationships across the region, identify areas of duplication and best practices, and determine the most practical and streamlined way to stand up and operate a regional economic development body in the region.
“The Edmonton Metropolitan Region is the second-fastest-growing region in Canada, supporting 725,000 jobs and 30 per cent of our province’s GDP. That’s why we are supporting local leaders to find new opportunities to work together to diversify our economy, create even more jobs and make life better for Alberta families.”
The Edmonton Metropolitan Region is made up of 24 diverse municipalities (Five cities, 12 towns and two villages in five counties) covering 11,993 square kilometres around Alberta’s capital city.
“We thank Minister Bilous for recognizing the potential of an integrated economic development entity for the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. This money will be used to ensure that existing regional economic development relationships are understood and respected before any work is done by the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Economic Development entity we are in the process of incubating.”
Funding for this initiative has been provided through the Community and Regional Economic Support (CARES) program’s 2016 budget.