Photo Courtesy EverythingGP Staff

By Tanner Smith

Economy

Second annual GIG stakeholder update

Nov 23, 2022 | 4:35 PM

The Greenview Industrial Gateway (GIG) had its second annual stakeholder update Wednesday at Clarkson Hall in Evergreen Park.

The meeting covered a long list of items from some delays they have been experiencing when it comes to government legislation and the paperwork that goes along with opening an operation of this scale, and the Highway 40 upgrades meant to allow better access to the GIG.

Other highlights include a water storage system for the companies in the GIG to use, having only 0.5 per cent of Smoky River’s water used on the entire site.

Grande Prairie City Councillor, Chris Thiessen says the City and County of Grande Prairie were both originally supporting the MD of Greenview with this industrial park until the MD decided to head the project alone.

However, the MD still has their support, as it will only improve life across the region.

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“We all know that energy is important to our livelihoods and how successful any region is going to be anywhere at any given point in the world, but taking care of the environment and looking forward into the future while also taking care of the people here today is super important, and in some instances, I think even some of the presenters said they would have a negative carbon impact, so that’s exciting to see.”

Northern Petrochemical is beginning conversations with Northwestern Polytechnic about partnerships to give kids in this region access to the training required to be employed at any of the companies operating in the industrial park.

Thiessen says keeping, maintaining, and supporting a local workforce plays a key role in the growth of our region, not just this project.

” We’ve (The City of Grande Prairie) already had preliminary discussions with NWP on a variety of different partnerships, but they’re going to be a big driver for the entire region, not just the industrial gateway in the MD of Greenview but for all development and for maintaining our citizenry in Grande Prairie, ensuring that our kids stay here. They can be trained here, go to work here, and raise a family here.”

Photo Courtesy EverythingGP Staff

He adds this project will not only provide a sustainable industry and financial security to residents but will also help grow relations between the MD of Greenview and Indigenous communities, as they continue to partner with and involve them in this project.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for our Indigenous, First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people in the region, not just from a standpoint of being consulted and using their vast knowledge of the land, landscapes, and the way the water works, but also by giving them the opportunity to maybe join in on some of the wealth and share it with some of their people’s as well.”

Finally, a Terrapin Energy project named Alberta No.1, the province’s first conventional geothermal heat and power facility, is working with the University of Alberta to perfect carbon sequestration, so they can start the process of ‘giving back to the earth as much as it gives to us’.

The Greenview Industrial Gateway is 40 km south of Grande Prairie, with full rail capacity, water, power, and a freshly re-done Highway 40 to allow easy access to the industrial park.

Photo Courtesy EverythingGP Staff