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By Curtis Galbraith

Big steps expected this year for industrial partnership

Feb 22, 2018 | 4:30 AM

A couple of important steps ahead for the Tri-Municipal Partnership are expected this year.

A project charter and area structure plan should both be completed in 2018.

This partnership would see tax money from new industrial development in part of the M.D. of Greenview shared by the City and County. This would cover extra expenses created by more people moving here.

Greenview Reeve Dale Gervais says these developments would be spread across 335-square kilometres of crown land.

“The un-developable land would be left undisturbed, so you’re going to have more of a park setting. You’ll have an industrial complex here (and) you may have a mile or two of wetland (or) sensitive areas. It won’t be a chain-link fence, then an industrial complex and a chain-link fence and another industrial complex.”

County of Grande Prairie Reeve Leanne Beaupre is hoping this partnership, and the development that will follow, means improvements to Highway 40 come more quickly.

“We will have an idea what type of development, what type of industry we will be attracting in that area. It also gives the ministers and ourselves an opportunity to advocate to the Minister of Transportation to maybe move the plans forward for the

twinning and the second bridge across the Wapiti because of the amount of traffic and the type of traffic that will be moving south into the M.D. of Greenview.”

Gervais is also hoping this leads to Highway 40 improvements.

“We’ve already mentioned it on several occasions. The province says they’re a partner in this, well, that’s going to be part of their partnership obligations”

Alberta Economic Development and Trade Minister Daron Bilous says this idea is meant to make it as easy as possible for businesses to invest. He announced that the project charter and ASP would go ahead this year Wednesday at the Growing the North Conference.

 

by Curtis Galbraith