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(Image Credit: Grande Prairie Airport)
By Curtis Galbraith
City Hall

Many development opportunities around Grande Prairie Airport with MOU approval, says Mayor Clayton

May 28, 2026 | 6:01 AM

A new agreement between the city, Grande Prairie Airport Commission, and Edmonton Airports is expected to boost economic growth. 

At Monday’s meeting, council approved a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding between the three parties on development of land around the Grande Prairie Airport. 

Mayor Jackie Clayton thinks Edmonton Airports “has done an exceptional job” developing the land around its airport. 

“Not only are they working on traditional hospitality and retail, they’re working on commercial sites and small warehouses, (and) intermodal work. Now, they’re working on defence operations, in the sense that they’re a pilot project for drone training.” 

“They’ve also worked on hydrogen opportunities, and so they’re very advanced in doing significant work in that space of utilizing lands that coincide with air traffic service.” 

Clayton says they would be looking at businesses related to what she calls “traditional air travel.” 

“It could be hotels, it could be fuelling stations. There are businesses that do airplane storage, airplane renovations, it could be intermodal work.” 

“There is, in that intermodal space, warehouses, distribution centres… endless possibilities.” 

Clayton says the city still owns the airport and appoints the commission members. 

“We know that the commission is invested in this to explore opportunities, working with somebody who is really a leader within that sector, at no charge, and with no expectations, truly just looking to strengthen the relationship.” 

Clayton says it is also possible to look at more routes with airlines that are not here for connector flights to areas north of Grande Prairie.

by Curtis Galbraith