Photo: Shaun Penner / EverythingGP staff

By Shaun Penner

PrairiesCan

Feds launch Prairie Economic Development Agency, service location to be established in Grande Prairie

Aug 5, 2021 | 1:05 PM

New resources to support Grande Prairie’s economy will soon be on the way.

On Thursday it was announced that Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) is being established by the Government of Canada as the new regional economic development agency for businesses and industry in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

Minister of Economic Development Mélanie Joly says PrairiesCan will build on the work of Western Economic Diversification Canada, with the goal of being better connected to businesses and communities at a more local level.

“Western Canada’s economy is growing and diversifying more each day, requiring a tailored approach that considers its needs and seizes its opportunities,” said Joly.

“Our government is proud to be investing in the economic future of innovators, businesses, and communities across the Prairies with the creation of PrairiesCan.”

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Seven Regional Development Agencies will be created in Western Canada with three of them in Alberta – Lethbridge, Fort McMurray, and Grande Prairie.

The feds add PrairiesCan will tie into Western Economic Development Canada’s program funding, which they say means an overall increase in resources available for strategic investments and community economic development on the Prairies.

The new agency will also be connected to the Western Canada Business Service Network.

Special Representative for the Prairies, Jim Carr, says it is important for economic development resources to have a locally informed approach.

“In roundtables across the Prairies, entrepreneurs, innovators, institutions, and community leaders have been clear about the need for more federal resources for investments and community economic development based on their unique needs. The establishment of PrairiesCan and its expanded footprint is a substantial step in that direction.”

The new Regional Development Agencies are expected to be launched “over the coming months”, as Joly says the government now has the mandate to begin hiring and leasing office space in Grande Prairie.