Issuu

GROWING YOUR BUSINESS 0 7/ 2 6

N E W S L E T T E R

M.D. CONTACTS

BARRY KALINSKI Reeve

bkalinski@md.bonnyville.ab.ca 780-573-6082

Contents 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Industrial Corridor Business Case Major Projects Office Expressions of Interest – PrairiesCan NEW – Industrial Incentive Grant Program Policy MLA’s New Appointments Alberta HUB’s Skyways Project Labour Market Facts & Figures Q2 2026 Interprovincial Migration NEW – Investment Attraction Action Plan Business Support Partners

BEN FADEYIW*

Deputy Reeve, Ward 6 Councillor bfadeyiw@md.bonnyville.ab.ca 780-826-1462

JOSH CRICK Ward 1 Councillor jcrick@md.bonnyville.ab.ca 587-398-2916

CAROLINE PALMER Ward 2 Councillor cpalmer@md.bonnyville.ab.ca 587-398-3075

DAN AMALIA Ward 3 Councillor damalia@md.bonnyville.ab.ca 587-398-2716

ED DUCHESNE Ward 4 Councillor educhesne@md.bonnyville.ab.ca 587-398-3004

Growing Your Business is published four times a year. Please sign up for a digital copy at investmdbonnyville.com. Disclaimer: Generative AI has been used in portions of this publication. Municipal District of Bonnyville 4905 - 50 Avenue, Bag 1010, Bonnyville, Alberta T9N 2J7

BRIAN KOLUK* Ward 5 Councillor bkoluk@md.bonnyville.ab.ca 587-398-2992 SCOTT KOVATCH* Community Investment Strategist

web - investbonnyville.com email - ecdev@md.bonnyville.ab.ca

skovatch@md.bonnyville.ab.ca 780-826-3171 ext. 2041

*Economic Development Liason

Industrial Corridor Business Case The Municipal District of Bonnyville has received funding through Alberta’s Northern and Regional Economic Development (NRED) program to complete a feasibility study and business case for a potential industrial corridor. This work will help the M.D. assess whether there is a practical and sustainable opportunity to support future industrial development in the region. The study will examine land availability, servicing and infrastructure needs, market demand, and the types of businesses that may be the best fit. Potential sectors could include energy services, logistics, light manufacturing, value-added agriculture, and other complementary industries. At this stage, no final decisions have been made about the size, scope, or tenant mix of any future corridor. The purpose of the study is to provide the information needed for informed decision-making. Council will be kept informed as the work progresses, and any major next steps would come forward for Council review and approval. If the study confirms a strong business case, the project could help strengthen the municipality’s investment readiness, support business attraction and expansion, create jobs, broaden the tax base, and make strategic use of existing infrastructure. The application also notes the potential for wider regional and provincial economic benefits if development proceeds successfully. This initiative reflects the M.D.’s measured approach to economic development — planning carefully, evaluating opportunities thoroughly, and supporting long-term growth that fits the region.

Major Projects Office In 2026, the federal government’s “nation-building” initiative is not a conventional grant stream administered by the Major Projects Office (MPO). Instead, the MPO acts as a federal coordination and acceleration office for large projects judged to be in the national interest under the Building Canada Act. Its role is to assess referred projects, coordinate federal departments, resolve regulatory or policy barriers, and help proponents improve project readiness, financing structure, and execution certainty. For economic development purposes, this matters because projects supported through the MPO may gain faster federal review, stronger interdepartmental coordination, and assistance in reducing project risk — advantages that can improve investor confidence and help unlock major capital investment. The assessment factors include economic benefits to Canada, contribution to autonomy and resilience, likelihood of successful execution, Indigenous interests, and climate or energy-transition considerations. In practice, MPO-referred projects in 2026 include infrastructure, energy, transportation, critical minerals, and other strategic developments with large-scale economic impact. For Alberta stakeholders, the MPO pathway is most relevant to transformational projects tied to trade corridors, energy infrastructure, carbon management, critical minerals, or enabling infrastructure rather than small business or community-level grants. Municipalities and regional economic development organizations should view the MPO as a project facilitation and federal access mechanism, not a standalone economic development grant program.

Growing Your Business 07/26 – investmdbonnyville.com

Expressions of Interest – PrairiesCan The M.D. of Bonnyville has submitted two Expressions of Interest to PrairiesCan aimed at advancing economic diversification and innovation in northeastern Alberta. One proposal focuses on assessing regional readiness for middle-mile cargo drone logistics, including an environmental scan, feasibility review, stakeholder engagement, infrastructure readiness, and recommendations for future partnerships and pilot opportunities. The goal is to determine how drone-enabled cargo movement could support sectors such as energy, agriculture, healthcare, and emergency services across dispersed and remote locations. The second proposal is centred on developing a business case for a drone vertiport at the M.D. of Bonnyville Regional Airport. This initiative would examine the potential for a drone logistics hub supporting warehousing, distribution, infrastructure inspection, emergency response, and agriculture services, while also linking into broader regional partnerships through the Alberta HUB area. Key work would include market validation, site and operations assessment, partnership development, limited pilot activities, and an implementation roadmap to support future investment readiness. Together, the two submissions reflect the M.D.’s interest in exploring emerging aviation and logistics technologies as practical tools for regional growth, service resilience, and new business opportunities. They are intended to position the region for future investment, strengthen collaboration with industry and neighbouring partners, and support long-term economic development.

NEW – Industrial Incentive Grant Program Policy The Municipal District of Bonnyville’s Industrial Incentive Grant Program supports new industrial investment, expansion, redevelopment, and conversion within the M.D. To be eligible, the property must be within the M.D.’s legal boundary, zoned Rural Industrial or DC District #6 Industrial District, and be owned or applied for by the assessed person or their authorized representative. Because the applicant must be the assessed person, the property must be on the municipal assessment and tax roll. The program provides a municipal property tax incentive on eligible new construction or newly assessable improvements for up to five years — 100 per cent of the municipal portion of taxes for the first three years, 75 per cent in year four, and 50 per cent in year five. Projects must generally be completed within 24 months, meet applicable codes, use Alberta-licensed contractors, and follow all M.D. planning and development permit requirements. The minimum threshold is a 25 per cent increase in assessed value beyond the existing assessment, or $200,000 in new construction value — whichever is less. Applicants must also remain current on taxes, utilities, and other amounts owing to the M.D. Email ecdev@md.bonnyville.ab.ca to receive your application.

Growing Your Business 07/26 – investmdbonnyville.com

MLA’s New Appointments MLA Scott Cyr’s new roles as Parliamentary Secretary for Transportation and Strategic Development and Alberta’s Military Liaison are a direct connection to two issues affecting local communities and businesses - infrastructure and defence-related growth. For the M.D. of Bonnyville and the wider region, transportation is more than roads. It affects how goods move, how workers get to job sites, how businesses reach customers, and how communities attract new investment. With responsibilities tied to transportation and strategic development, Cyr is in a position to bring attention to regional priorities such as highway improvements, trade and industrial access, and infrastructure that supports long-term growth. His appointment as the Military Liaison is especially relevant due to the proximity to 4 Wing Cold Lake and the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, both of which are major drivers of economic activity. Military investment supports jobs, local spending, housing demand, service businesses, training opportunities, and supply chains that reach across the region. Taken together, these two appointments strengthen the link between transportation planning, economic development, and military-related growth which have been identified as important factors in the M.D.’s economic diversity. These appointments also come at a time when the region is looking ahead to long-term growth. As investment opportunities continue to emerge, strong provincial advocacy may help support the roads, services, workforce development, and partnerships needed to turn opportunity into results.

Alberta HUB’s Skyways Project Alberta HUB’s Skyways Project is positioning northeastern Alberta as a leading centre for commercial drone innovation. The initiative is developing about 1,500 kms of designated drone corridors to support Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, giving companies a real-world environment to test, validate, and scale drone applications. The project is focused on practical business uses, including oil and gas deliveries, hospital-to-hospital transport of medical supplies, rural logistics, precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, and resource management. It also creates opportunities for drone manufacturers, software firms, sensor developers, and advanced air mobility businesses by offering testing infrastructure and commercialization pathways. Beyond operations, Skyways is helping build a regional talent pipeline through STEM education, pilot training, aerospace technology programs, and research partnerships. Alberta HUB also sees the project as a catalyst for investment across municipalities, Indigenous communities, airports, and private industry. If successful, Skyways could become a national model for drone corridors and strengthen Alberta’s position in autonomous aviation, remote logistics, and drone manufacturing. Source: Alberta HUB

Labour Market From January to May 2026, the Cold Lake–Bonnyville labour market remained active, with 1,302 job postings and 1,369 job seekers in the region. Job postings were down 15.8 per cent year over year, while unemployment in the Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake region sat at about 7.2 per cent, with participation softening. The data suggests this is not a broad labour shortage, but a labour-matching challenge — local workers are available, but gaps persist in health care and specialized trades. Strong hiring demand continues in sales and service, health care, and trades and transport, while many job seekers are concentrated in sales, service, accommodation, food, and retail roles. Overall, the region has workforce capacity, but better alignment between worker skills and employer needs remains the key employment issue. Source: Government of Alberta, Jobs Economy, Trade and Immigration, June 2026 Report

Growing Your Business 07/26 – investmdbonnyville.com

Facts & Figures Q2 2026 SME CONFIDENCE: ALBERTA vs CANADA (CFIB Business Barometer, June 2026) Alberta Canada

Alberta Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are modestly more confident than Canadian SMEs overall, but sentiment remains cautious. In the June 2026 Business Barometer created by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), Alberta’s long-term confidence index was 54.5, compared with 49.6 nationally, indicating Alberta firms are somewhat more positive about their 12-month outlook. Alberta’s short-term optimism index was 57.1, versus 46.1 for Canada, showing stronger expectations over the next three months as well. Even so, both Alberta and national results reflect ongoing pressure from weak demand, fuel costs, taxes, regulation, and wage costs. Overall, Alberta businesses appear relatively more resilient, while Canadian SMEs, as a whole, remain more subdued in their near-term outlook. For the complete article, visit cfib-fcei.ca.

Interprovincial Migration Alberta’s interprovincial migration continued its strong upward run in the first quarter of 2026, reinforcing the province’s position as Canada’s top destination for movers from other provinces. According to the Government of Alberta’s Q1 2026 Population Report, Alberta led the country in interprovincial migration for the 15th consecutive quarter and posted the strongest net inflow among all provinces. This sustained upswing reflects Alberta’s continued pull for workers, families, and businesses seeking relative affordability, employment opportunities, and quality of life. While broader population growth in early 2026 was tempered by net outflows of nonpermanent residents, gains from interprovincial migration remained a major source of momentum. The trend also signals ongoing confidence in Alberta’s economy compared with other large provinces, as Alberta was the only one of the four largest provinces to record positive population growth in the quarter. For municipalities, this matters because rising interprovincial inflows can increase demand for housing, labour force integration, infrastructure, and local services, while also expanding the consumer base and supporting business attraction. Overall, the Q1 2026 report shows that interprovincial migration remains a key driver of Alberta’s population growth and economic competitiveness. Source: Government of Alberta, Q1 2026 Population Report

NEW – Investment Attraction Action Plan The M.D. of Bonnyville’s Investment Attraction Action Plan sets out a practical roadmap to attract complimentary investments, strengthen the local tax base, create jobs, and support a more diversified economy. The plan is designed to help the M.D. become more “investment ready” by improving how it markets opportunities, responds to investors, and supports business growth. The strategy focuses on five priority sectors identified through the Regional Economic Development Plan — energy, proteins and agriculture technology, renewable technologies, tourism and quality of place, and Canadian Armed Forces procurement. It also recognizes emerging opportunities in areas such as data centres and unmanned vehicles. A key part of the plan is improving investment readiness. This includes strengthening the M.D.’s website, building a Community Investment Data Platform, creating sector profiles, maintaining an inventory of serviced and shovel-ready sites, and using a CRM system to track leads and support investor relationships. The plan also addresses earlier gaps in business intelligence through a business registry, business visitation program, and an updated community profile data. The plan emphasizes a coordinated, business-friendly approach. The M.D.’s Economic Development and Planning & Development departments will work together through a concierge process to streamline inquiries, support permitting, and connect investors with relevant information on land, infrastructure, labour, and funding. Regional collaboration, marketing campaigns, trade show participation, and an M.D. Champion Ambassador Program will also help raise awareness and generate leads. Implementation will be monitored semi-annually and adjusted as needed based on results and market conditions. Overall, the Action Plan is intended to position the M.D. of Bonnyville as a competitive, business-friendly location for investment while supporting long-term economic resilience and growth.

Growing Your Business 07/26 – investmdbonnyville.com

Business Support Partners Below, you will find links to business support agencies and descriptions of the programs and services they offer including workshops, seminars, and more.

BUSINESS SUPPORTING BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT The East Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network (ECARIN) supports entrepreneurs and businesses across the region by helping them start, grow, and innovate. Delivered through a partnership between Alberta Innovates and Startup Lloydminster, the network works with regional economic development organizations to strengthen business capacity and encourage innovation. ECARIN’s focus is on building a more vibrant, diverse, and competitive regional business environment — one that creates jobs, increases revenue, and helps local companies expand into wider domestic and global markets. The organization offers tools, services, and business support for entrepreneurs developing innovative products, services, or operations. ECARIN is positioned as a regional support hub for businesses at different stages of development, whether they are launching a new idea, scaling an existing company, or looking to improve through innovation. The collaborative model also connects businesses to a broader ecosystem of partners and resources across East Central Alberta. Overall, ECARIN serves as a practical business support resource aimed at encouraging innovation-led growth and regional economic development. eastcentralrin.com

Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC)

Farm Credit Canada (FCC)

Alberta Innovates

Futurpreneur

Alberta Women Entrepreneurs

Invest Alberta

Bonnyville and District Chamber of Commerce

Northeast Alberta Information Hub (Alberta HUB)

Business Link

Prairies Economic Development Canada

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME)

Travel Alberta

Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce

Travel Lakeland

afsc.ca

albertainnovates.ca

awebusiness.com

bonnyvillechamber.com

businesslink.ca

cme-mec.ca

coldlakechamber.ca

Community Futures Lakeland lakeland.albertacf.com

fcc-fac.ca

futurpreneur.ca

investalberta.ca

albertahub.com

canada.ca/en/prairies-economic-development

industry.travelalberta.com

travellakeland.ca