County of Grande Prairie Committee of the Whole meeting highlights

“A” BDO Zone Rating

An update was received during the meeting by Aryn Garswood, Head of the BDO Zone Initiative & Specials Projects and Mahmood Ebadian, Project Principal of Ecostrat Inc.

The MD of Greenview and County of Grande Prairie have been given an “A” distinction for woody biomass in regards to research and a final report done by Ecostrat Inc.

A BDO Zone rating is a standards-based assessment of biomass, feedstock, and infrastructure attributes of a region to help enable areas to attract new biomass manufacturing plants and create jobs. Ratings go from “AAA” to “A”.

Potential Land Lease and License Rates Increase

Administration presented to the committee a report on comparable road allowance leases and licenses.

Their findings show the County has below average rates, which does not accurately reflect the value of land.

It was recommended by the Committee that administration incorporate their suggested increases to the municipal road allowance fees into the 2024 Schedule of Fees, Rates and Charges Bylaw to be presented to County Council for approval before the end of 2023.

County Business License and Welcome Program

Economic Development gave a report for information on standardizing the process in which businesses are welcomed to the County, including identification, business license process, welcoming, and ongoing communication.

The Committee provided feedback to Economic Development with potential suggestions for the business licensing program they have, by emphasizing knowledge of businesses operating in the region and compliance with existing zoning regulations.

County Receives Award

The Economic Development team was awarded with the Marketing Canada Award at the 2023 Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) Conference.

The next County meetings are:

December 18 – Regular Council
December 12 – Committee of the Whole

by Erika Rolling