ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Investment attraction is a top priority for the Municipal District of Bonnyville.

The purpose of an investment attraction action plan is to provide the analysis, strategy, and tools required to attract suitable, desired, and complementary investment to the M.D.

Based on factors identified in the Regional Economic Development Plan: Technical Report and supported by the Business and Industry Growth Strategy, the energy sector, proteins and agriculture technology sector, tourism and quality of place sector, renewable technologies sector, and Canadian Armed Forces procurement sector will be the focus of the M.D.’s investment attraction action plan.

Targeted and increased investment attraction will result in a stronger M.D. revenue base, increased employment, and economic opportunities for the M.D. as well as support the development of clusters and value chains that will diversify and strengthen the local economy.

In designing the action plan, the following questions will be asked:

The following are eight steps to creating an investment attraction strategy:

1. Identify your community’s competitive advantage

2. Undertake a gap analysis

3. Analyze and develop target industry list

4. Identify future investment-ready sites

5. Identify investment attraction objectives

6. Identify potential policies and procedures that support investment attraction

7. Determine investment attraction tactics

8. Implement, monitor, evaluate, and adjust

The M.D. of Bonnyville is committed to investment attraction.

“Building a viable and diversified regional economy” is the first goal established in the M.D. Council’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan. Objective 1 of Goal 1 is “develop an economic development strategy inclusive of business/industry attraction, retention, and expansion while maintaining our rural influences”.

For more information on investment attraction or any of our other Economic Development programs, please contact Economic Development Specialist Scott Kovatch at skovatch@md.bonnyville.ab.ca or call 780-826-3171

Preparing your trees for winter

Winter is just around the corner, and you should start thinking about preparing your trees for the cooler weather.

Watering, adding mulch, pruning, and wrapping the bark will aid your trees through the long winter months. Young seedlings and newly planted trees are more prone to winter kill injuries than mature trees, therefore, they may require extra attention and preparation.

Watering is very important for the survivability and longevity of your trees. Water acts as an insulator around the roots of the tree. Cold air around the root systems can damage the roots causing dieback or eventually killing the tree. Water trees throughout the fall before the ground freezes. Trees should be watered at the drip line, not the base of the tree. The drip line extends from the outermost branch to the ground.

Now, how much water should you give? A rule of thumb is for every inch in diameter the trunk is at chest height equals 10 gallons of water.

Adding mulch not only protects the tree’s roots from freezing and reduces root damage, but also helps retain moisture during the dryer, colder winter months.

Depending on the species of tree or shrub, it may benefit from pruning before winter. Research the species of trees you have to determine when the right time is for pruning. At the very least, remove dead or dying branches to maintain the tree’s strength. The weight of the snow may cause branches to break off which can damage your tree or your property.

Young trees can be wrapped as an extra layer of protection against sunscald and other bark-damaging conditions. Sunscald is a term used to describe injury caused by fluctuating winter temperatures. Warm winter sun can cause trunk cells to come out of dormancy and become active. But when temperatures drop below freezing again, active cells and conductive tissues are killed, causing an injury that may result in scarring.

Remember to water, mulch, prune, and wrap young trees before the ground freezes.

If you have any questions, contact the Agricultural Services Department at 780-826-3951