Grande Prairie No. 1, County of

www.countygp.ab.ca

Welcome

 

 

 

 

The County of Grande Prairie No. 1 and its surrounding region offers unprecedented economic growth, business opportunity and quality of life. The influx of large and small business entrepreneurs has set the stage for enormous economic potential in the industrial, manufacturing, service and retail business industries.

We recognize the importance of good investment decisions being made on the basis of sound information. With that in mind, this profile has been designed to provide you with an introduction and a better understanding of the County of Grande Prairie and surrounding region.

Thank you for your interest in our region. We want you to make the right investment choice and therefore have designed this profile to assist you when considering the benefits of locating your business in the County of Grande Prairie.

If you require any additional information regarding development opportunities in our exciting region please contact Walter Paszkowski, Economic Development Officer at (780) 532-9722.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Area Overview

The County of Grande Prairie and surrounding area is one of the fastest growing regions in Canada. The area was deemed as one of Alberta's small business hotbeds offering excellent opportunity for continued growth in new business in upcoming years (Bank of Montreal, 2003).

Some of the reasons why people enjoy living and doing business here include:

  • A strong economy supported by a thriving oil and gas industry fuelled by an abundance of energy reserves. 
  • An abundance of forest reserves to responsibly meet the needs of a sustainable forest products industry.  
  • World-class agriculture production supported by exceptional farm land.
  • An abundance of land suitable for both industrial and residential development.

 

  • Unmatched scenery and culturally diverse communities with limitless opportunities for leisure and recreation. 
  • An abundance of clean air and water.
  • Regional strength created from policies such as no provincial sales tax and low municipal tax.
  • An exceptional quality of life with access to the best amenities, health services and community programs making the Grande Prairie Region an ideal place to raise a family. 

 

The County of Grande Prairie is committed to providing its residents with top quality services, a clean safe and friendly environment as well as to remain globally competitive with the many products which we produce.

County Council works hard to ensure that the County of Grande Prairie remains a dynamic leader in Alberta and Canada. We hope that you will make the Grande Prairie Region home for your business and family!

Climate

Weather Statistics
Current weather information for the County of Grande Prairie No.1 and surrounding area can be found at Environment Canada or at the Weather Network. 

Average Temperatures for the Month of January

  • Maximum temperature: -9.5°C or +14.9°F
  • Minimum temperature: -20.5°C or -4.9°F
  • Daily Average Temperature: -15°C or +5.0°F

Average Temperatures for the Month of July

  • Maximum temperature: +22.1°C or +71.8°F
  • Minimum temperature: +9.6°C or +49.3°F
  • Daily Average Temperature: +15.9°C or +60.6°F
  • Number of Days Per Year Above 15°C: 124 
  • Total precipitation per year: 446.6 mm or 17.6 inches
  • Measurable bright sunshine: 313.9 days per year
  • Total hours of bright sunshine: 2,203.1 hours per year
  • Average wind speed: 12.1 kilometers per hour, from the Southwest
  • Total snowfall per year: 158.6 cm or 62.4 in (Snowfall accounts for 36% of the annual precipitation).
  • Days with measurable snowfall: 57.3 days

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Services

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES - FCSS

The County of Grande Prairie believes that its most valuable resource is its people.

Through a partnership with the Province of Alberta the County of Grande Prairie is pleased to offer programs and services that allow its residents to develop their potential and contribute to the well being of their families and communities. The County offers three unique programs to assure its residents enjoy the best in life and reach their full potential.

Home Support Program - Caring, responsible persons providing in-home care to families and individuals experiencing disruptions of normal family routine.

Community School Liaison Program - Providing information and support to families and students who are experiencing difficulties at home or at school.

Playschool Program - Providing a safe and nurturing learning environment to four year olds throughout the County. The County's FCSS program also provides funding to Community Groups such as, but not limited to, the following:

  • Grande Prairie and Area Council on Aging – Seniors Outreach
  • Odyssey House Project Awareness
  • PACE – Public Education Program
  • RCMP Victims Assistance Programs
  • Suicide Prevention Resource Network
  • Seniors Outreach in Beaverlodge, LaGlace and Valhalla Centre

For more information about these programs please contact the Director of Family, Community and Social Services at 532-9722 or via email at fcss@countygp.ab.ca.

Community Lifestyle

It doesn’t take long to realize that the explorers and early settlers to the County of Grande Prairie Region had discovered something very special. From breathtaking scenery and varied landscapes to pristine lakes and exceedingly rich soils and agricultural lands, the Grande Prairie Region offers an enticing place to live, visit and do business. Residents appreciate the benefits of a quiet rural lifestyle and small town living with convenient access to big city amenities. Community spirit and connectedness contibute to a welcoming and nuturing community lifestyle. Come and visit and see what we mean.

Leisure and Recreation

Leisure and recreation opportunities abound for the entire family in the County of Grande Prairie. Whether you are looking to spend some memorable time camping, fishing, golfing, sightseeing, taking in a cultural or sporting event or just relaxing, the County of Grande Prairie guarantees that it has something you will enjoy! You have access to:

  • 14 exciting golf courses to challenge you.
  • Nine scenic County parks for personal or family adventure including both day and overnight camping, and educational and recreational activities.
  • Close to 30 municipal (County managed), provincial and independent campgrounds offering unserviced to fully serviced facilities to meet your special needs.
  • Diverse opportunities for fishing and hunting with family and friends.
  • Archeological and historic museums, art galleries, tropical greenhouses, tea houses, restaurants and gift shops to satisfy your mind, spirit and appetite.
  • Year-round cultural and community events including the Telus Country Fever Festival, Swan Festival, Rio Grande Rodeo, Teepee Creek Stampede, Kleskun Hill Days, Grande Prairie Stompede, Country Gospel Jamboree, Grande Prairie River Rats River Boat Race, Farmer’s Market Harvest Fest, Terry Fox Run and Horse Racing, just to name a few!

For more information on leisure and recreation opportunities and to obtain copies of regional parks brochures and visitor guides visit the County website at www.countygp.ab.ca or the Grande Prairie Regional Tourism website at www.northernvisitor.com. 

Landscape Diversity and Wildlife

The County features broad, gently rolling plains, deeply incised, steep sided river valleys, native grasslands and mixedwood boreal forests. Located approximately 160 km east of the Rocky Mountains, County residents can enjoy the scenic view of the mountains from almost all parts of the County. The Grande Prairie Region is identified by a number of unique features and important wildlife habitats that are well worth visiting including:

  • Saskatoon Mountain, located west of Grande Prairie, rises to 945 metres or 3,100 feet offering a spectacular view of the County.
  • The lakes of the Grande Prairie Region are part of a globally significant Important Bird Area because they support significant numbers of breeding and staging Trumpeter Swans as well as very large numbers of staging ducks and geese.
  • Overone percent of the estimated global population of Trumpeter Swans and approximately 10 percent of the Rocky Mountain population nest and stage in the Grande Prairie area. Several lakes have also recorded over 20,000 staging ducks during fall migration.
  • An annual Swan Festival is held at Saskatoon Island Provincial Park where over 500 nature, wildlife enthusiasts and community members gather to celebrate and appreciate these beautiful birds. We encourage you to take part in the festivities!
  • Kleskun Hill Park offers visitors a unique opportunity to view the most northerly deposit of badland topography in Alberta. It protects some of the last remaining grasslands and over 160 species of flowering plants, including cactus. The park offers many opportunities to learn about fossilized marine life, unique vegetation and the area’s settlement history through a native burial ground and museum.
  • The County offers some of the finest bird and wildlife viewing opportunities in the province. Opportunities abound to see everything from Bald and Golden Eagles, Pine and Evening Grosbeaks, swans and other waterfowl species to Moose, Deer, Elk, Coyote, Wolf and more. Clearly the opportunities for outdoor exploration, peace, tranquility and quality of life are abundant in the region.

County Parks

The County of Grande Prairie owns and operates 9 parks and campground facilities within its boundaries, eight of which offer overnight camping, while one offers day use facilities only. The campgrounds offering overnight camping include Pipestone Creek, Hommy, Kleskun, Demmit, Clairmont, Bear Lake, Redwillow Park and Valhalla. Saskatoon Mountain Park is open for day use activities only.

To find more information on the County's parks and view maps of the County Parks and Golf Courses visit www.countygp.ab.ca/parks/info.

 

 

Golf Courses

There are 8 challenging golf courses located within the County of Grande Prairie:

  • Bear Creek Golf Club - 538-3393
  • Dunes Golf & Winter Club - 538-4333
  • Grande Prairie Golf & Country Club - 532-0340
  • Morningview Golf & Country Club - 568-4357
  • Pipestone Putters Golf Club - 766-2720
  • Riverbend Golf & Country Club - 354-2538
  • Spruce Meadows Golf & Country Club - 568-4653
  • Wildrose Golf Club - 814-6919

To view a map showing the locations of these courses click here www.countygp.ab.ca/admin/golfcourses.

 

 

 

 

Cultural and Recreational Facilities

The County and surrounding region has an abundance of facilities, programs and services to meet the recreational, spiritual, cultural and artistic needs of our communities. These include numerous arenas, baseball diamonds, ski hills/trails, farmer's markets, churches, parks and campgrounds, rodeo grounds, curling rinks, historical sites, lakes and rivers, community halls and gymnasiums. The strength of our communities is reflected in the numerous art societies, dance clubs, service organizations, community associations, culture clubs, agriculture societies and hospital auxiliaries that are active in the County.


Kleskun Hill Park Museum

Featured Sites

Evergreen Park - Grande Prairie Regional Agricultural and Exhibition Society, hosts major regional trade-shows and events serving northern Alberta and B.C.

Nitehawk Ski Area - Regional year round facility offering downhill sking and snowboarding, including a triple chair lift and platter lift, year round facility rental and new Swan City Rotary Wilderness RV Park.

South Peace Centennial Museum - located near Beaverlodge, is one of the greatest displays of how life used to be, where actual working machinery, equipment and tools are on display. The popular Pioneer Days attracts thousands annually.

Wapiti Nordic Ski Centre - constructed for the 1995 Canada Winter Games. This is a world-class facility offering over 35 kms of classic and skate sking trails. This facility offers opportunities for a variety of recreational outings during the off season along its multi-use trails including walking, hiking, mountain biking and nature viewing.

Economic Base

Although well known for its productive agricultural areas and agri-food products and services, our region is making waves with its thriving oil and gas, forestry, manufacturing, construction and tourism industries.

Our booming oil and gas economy and growth in related industries is the main reason why the Grande Prairie Region has become one of the fastest growing markets in Canada. Opportunities abound and the influx of people to the region is evidence of this.

Area Population Continues to Grow

The Region’s population grew 16.75% between 1996 and 2001, compared to Canada’s national average of 4%. The County of Grande Prairie grew 15.5%, while the City of Grande Prairie grew 18% (Statistics Canada 2001 Community Profile).

Growth trends are expected to continue at this phenomenal rate with the County population expected to be 19,963 and the City of Grande Prairie at 50,626 by the year 2010. (Population forecasts project an average County population growth of 2.75% for the next 20 years. Forecasts for the City of Grande Prairie are for 4.17% growth for the next 2 years, 3.35% for the following 3 years and then 2.5% thereafter.)

  • County of Grande Prairie Population – 17,989 (March 2006 Municipal Census)
  • City of Grande Prairie Population – 44,631 (April 2005 Municipal Census)
  • Market Area Population – 250,000 within a 200 km radius (about a 2 hour drive)

Economic Facts

Major Regional Employers

Peace Country Health (www.pchr.ca) is the region's largest public sector employer. It employs 3,400 people who provide health services to a population of 130,000, making it not only the largest employer in the Peace Region but also the largest employer north of Edmonton.

Major Public Sector Regional Employers include:

Several Provincial Government offices are located with the region -
(www.gov.ab.ca/home/index.cfm)

 

 

 

 

 

Four Major Forestry Companies are located within the region including:

Other major employers in the oil and gas, hospitality and research and development disciplines include:

 

Agricultural Production  The County has extensive areas of highly productive agricultural land. Products include wheat, barley, canola, rye, flax, oats, peas, alfalfa, timothy, fescue, clover, saskatoons, peat moss, red meat, poultry, swine, eggs, dairy, table produce and honey. There are approximately 500 cattle producers, 5 dairy producers, 100 swine producers, 45 sheep producers, and 10 commercial poultry producers within the County of Grande Prairie.

 

Forestry Production Canfor has been a part of industry in Grande Prairie and area for decades, manufacturing a high quality lumber used throughout North America. Procter and Gamble Cellulose opened the doors of its Kraft pulp mill and saw mill in 1973, which was purchased in 1992 by Weyerhaeuser Canada. Today they generate over 50 percent of Alberta's annual pulp production. Adjacent to the Weyerhaeuser plant is Sterling Chemical's plant which produces sodium chlorate, a substitute for chlorine in the kraft pulp mill bleaching process. Risley Equipment Ltd., which is based out of Grande Prairie, plays a major role in the development and manufacturing of innovative products and technology serving the forestry industry.

Financial Institutions

All the major financial institutions have offices conveniently located within the City of Grande Prairie. These include:

Information Resources

The following websites are useful resources for Economic Development related information that pertains to the Greater Grande Prairie Region and the whole of Alberta.

 

QUICK FACTS: About the County of Grande Prairie No.1

  • Latitude: 55° 10' N Longitude: 118° 53' W
  • Elevation: 669.00 m
  • Time Zone: MST
  • Total Area: 5,570 km˛ or 1,376,377.08 acres
  • Population density per km˛: 3.2 people per km˛
  • Current population: 17,989 population (based on 2006 census).
  • Population change from 2001 to 2006: 17.4%
  • Total Dwellings: 6,611 dwellings (2006 Census)

Planning and Development Statistics

 

A strong regional economy continues to benefit the County of Grande Prairie as demonstrated by another record year of growth and development. The number of development permits issued in 2005 was at an all time high at 567 permits. The number of permits increased 5.1% over 2004 levels and 35% over 2003 numbers. To date this year, January through March end has seen a 14% increase in the number of development permits issued over the same period in 2005.

The number of single family residential permits issued in 2005 was 293. In the past 4 years, over 1,100 single family dwellings have been built in the County. The number of industrial permits increased by 47% over 2004. 

 

 

The number of subdivision applications received by the County also reached a record in 2005. In total, 151 applications were received, reflecting a 22.8% increase over 2004 levels. Subdivision application activity is also up considerably over the same period last year. The County has already received 119 subdivision applications for the period from January 1st through March 31st, 2006 - this marks a 37% increase in the number of subdivision applications received during the same three month period in 2005.

Building permit values within the region also reached an all time high in 2005.

  • Commercial building permit values rose to $20,051,600 in 2005 - an increase of 119% over the 2004 numbers.
  • Residential building permit values increased to $47,994,221 in 2005 - an increase of 58.3% over the 2004 permit values.
  • Industrial building permit values were at a record all time high of $314,228,986 in 2005. This represents an increase of 2959% over the 2004 totals!

Overall the County is pleased to be able to accommodate the level of growth that is being experienced in the region and will continue to take a leadership role in planning and facilitating economic and community development opportunities for the Greater Grande Prairie area.

Regional Cooperation and Long Term Strategic Planning

The County of Grande Prairie is committed to regional cooperation and meeting the long term needs of the entire region. The County is proud to have developed the region’s first long term growth management strategy and is committed to meeting the long term economic needs of the region both in terms of land use and infrastructure requirements.

 


This commitment includes ensuring that all future development planning promotes business viability while maintaining quality of life and a sustainable environment.  This commitment and vision for the management of industrial and residential growth is clearly reflected in our Long Term Growth Management Plan. The plan identifies the commercial development zones and available locations for light to heavy industrial business. The plan currently identifies 3,950 acres (16 square kilometers) of vacant land (both serviced and unserviced) available both north and west of the City boundaries.

Copies of the Long Term Growth Strategy PowerPoint Presentation are available by contacting the County's Planning Department at (780) 513-3950. 

Education

Primary and Secondary Education

The Peace Wapiti School Board, Grande Prairie and District Catholic School Board, Grande Prairie Public School District and Northwest Francophone Education Region No.1 serve to provide an educational environment for the Grande Prairie Region that enables all students to achieve their potential to become productive members of a changing society.

Families relocating to the Grande Prairie Region have many exceptional options to choose from when selecting an elementary, junior high or high school for their children. 

The following is a brief list of the schools located within the County of Grande Prairie:

Beaverlodge
Beaverlodge Elementary School, Grades K-6, 324 students, Phone: (780) 354-2446
Beaverlodge Regional High School, Grades 10-12, 441 students, Phone: (780) 354-2189
St. Mary’s Catholic School, Grades K-9, 102 students, Phone: (780) 354-2944

Bezanson
Bezanson School, Grades K-9, 106 students, Phone: (780) 532-6490

Elmworth
Elmworth School, Grades K-9, 74 students, Phone: (780) 354-8375

Hythe
Hythe Elementary, Grades K-6, 229 students, Phone: (780) 356-3934
Hythe Regional Junior High School, Grades 7-9, 295 students, Phone: (780) 356-3935

LaGlace
LaGlace School, Grades K-9, 123 students, Phone: (780) 568-2430

Sexsmith
Sexsmith Elementary School, Grades K-6, 391 students, Phone: (780) 568-3823
Sexsmith Secondary School, Grades 7-12, 589 students, Phone: (780) 568-3642
St. Mary’s Catholic School, Grades K-8, 132 students, Phone: (780) 568-3631

Teepee Creek
Teepee Creek School, Grades K-8, 79 students, Phone: (780) 568-2265

Valhalla Centre
Valhalla School, Grades K-6, 38 students, Phone: (780) 356-2370

Wembley
Helen E. Taylor School, Grades K-4 and 5-9, total 428 students, Phone: (780) 766-2294

In addition to the schools mentioned, two Peace Wapiti Schools (Harry Balfour, grades K-8 and Peace Wapiti Academy, grades 9-12) and 11 Public and seven Catholic schools are available within the City of Grande Prairie with a variety of programs including French Emersion, Enrichment and Special Needs. École St. Gerard is a Catholic school which offers the only single track French emersion program for kindergarten to grade 9 in Grande Prairie.

École Nouvelle Frontiere is the only Francophone school located within the Grande Prairie region. It is administered by the Northwest Francophone Education Region No.1 (Conseil Scolaire Du Nord-Quest No.1) and offers francophone classes for children in kindergarten through grade eight and currently has 78 students enrolled; Phone: (780) 814-7945 

Contact information for all four school boards is available below:

Peace Wapiti School Division - www.pwsb33.ab.ca
Phone: (780) 532-8133

Grande Prairie Public School Division - www.gppsd.ab.ca
Phone: (780) 532-4491

Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools - www.gpcsd.ca
Phone: (780) 532-3013

Northwest Francophone Education Region No.1 (Conseil Scolaire Du Nord-Quest No.1) - www.csno.ab.ca
Phone: (780) 624-8855

Emergency Services

Policing

Policing in the County of Grande Prairie is the responsibility of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who are the provincial police service for the Province of Alberta. There are two RCMP detachments in the County located in Beaverlodge and Grande Prairie. Each detachment works closely with volunteers to offer residents a number of community based programs including Auxiliary Constables, Block Parents, Citizens on Patrol, Rural Crime Watch, Crime Stoppers, DARE, PARTY, and School Liaison Programs. 

Beaverlodge RCMP Detachment – 354-2485
Grande Prairie RCMP Detachment – 538-5701

Click on this link to be directed to the RCMP Detachment Directory. 

County Protective Services

The County of Grande Prairie is proud to have one of the most comprehensive Protective Services Departments in the Province. The County has proven itself to be a leader in the delivery of policing programs, fire protection and disaster services, and is proud to provide a safe and secure environment for residents and businesses. The County's Protective Services Department, under the direction of the Director of Protective Services, consists of the following: Enforcement Services; Fire Protection, Disaster Services; RCMP Enhanced Policing and SPCA.

Enforcement Services
This program offers supplemental Enforcement Services to the RCMP in the form of Special Constable policing. County Special Constables enforce provincial statutes related to traffic and safety and are tied to the commitment and values of the Traffic Safety Vision Plan 2010 Program, which has the objective of reducing the number of deaths and injuries on Alberta’s highways. County Special Constables are responsible for road protection through commercial vehicle weight enforcement and are appointed to enforce select municipal bylaws.

The County of Grande Prairie is also contracted to supply Special Constable Services to the surrounding communities of Sexsmith, Beaverlodge, Wembley, and the MD of Greenview. Special Constables work closely with the RCMP, Fire Protection, and other community groups to delivery safety and education.

Fire Protection
Eight fire departments are located throughout the County – three belong to the County and five are located within other municipalities. County departments include LaGlace, Teepee Creek, and Bezanson. Municipal Departments are located in Beaverlodge, Hythe, Sexsmith, Wembley and Grande Prairie. The County has ongoing Mutual Aid agreements with both internal and external fire departments, such as the MD of Greenview and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, for fire suppression, equipment and resources. The County of Grande Prairie is accredited with the Alberta Safety Codes Council for all fire investigation and inspection standards.

Disaster Services
Disaster Services works closely with the Petroleum Industry, Emergency Management Alberta, EMS, Fire, Family and Community Services, Industry, Enforcement and Police to deliver up to date, quality services and training. An Emergency Operation Center with state of the art communications equipment capable of handling both wide-scale or local state of emergency disasters is located in the County of Grande Prairie Administration Complex.

RCMP Enhanced Policing
The County employs two full-time RCMP officers pursuant to a contract with the Alberta Solicitor General’s Department, to supplement and enhance provincial policing resources within the County. Currently one member is stationed in the Beaverlodge detachment and the other in the Grande Prairie rural detachment. RCMP enhanced policing works closely with the County Enforcement Services Department to ensure the delivery of traffic safety programs.

SPCA
The SPCA is under contract to patrol and respond to complaints of both animal control and protection in nature. The program includes the provision of shelter services for the County and surrounding communities as per the contract provisions.

Health Care

Health and Emergency Response Services in the Grande Prairie Region are of high quality. Peace Country Health administers health services to a population of 130,000 people in 16 communities, covering an area of over 150,000 square kilometres. County residents are served by two hospitals: the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital located within the City of Grande Prairie and the Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital located within the Town of Beaverlodge. Doctors are also based in the communities of Hythe, Beaverlodge and Sexsmith. 

Queen Elizabeth II Hospital

The Queen Elizabeth II Hospital is a fully accredited modern-day hospital committed to providing exceptional patient care.

  • Provides 160 acute care beds with 23 specialist physicians on staff.
  • Offers a wide range of services from specialized surgery to coronary care, respiratory therapy, pediatric care, obstetrics, and rehabilitations.
  • Service is supplemented by visiting consultants from Edmonton who provide out-patient services in specialty areas such an ENT, dermatology, rheumatology, pediatric cardiology, endocrinology, and gerontology.
  • Employs over 1,000 people who, collectively, care for more than 10,000 inpatients and more than 100,000 outpatients annually.

Grande Prairie Community Cancer Centre

Operating in partnership with the Alberta Cancer Board, the Grande Prairie Community Cancer Clinic is staffed by specially trained registered nurses and local physicians. The program allows patients from Peace Country Health to access the cancer treatment they need close to home.

Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital

The Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital offers the best in health service with 24 hour emergency care and 18 acute care beds. The hospital offers a wide range of services including medical laboratory, obstetrics, outpatients, pediatrics, palliative care, physiotherapy, and radiolology.

Grande Prairie Regional EMS (GPREMS)

GPREMS provides a high standard of advanced life support ground and air ambulance service for the Grande Prairie Region. They are committed to saving lives and reducing life-long impairment due to injury and illness through timely, professional and compassionate Emergency Medical Response in partnership with protective health and community services throughout the region and beyond. They offer a variety of services to both residents and businesses including industrial ambulance and pre-hospital education programs.

Western Air Rescue

Western Air Rescue provides the residents of the Grande Prairie Region with rapid air evacuation of patients in need of specialized care. Rescue helicopters can be dispatched to sites like motor vehicle collisions, oil rig site incidents, or backcountry rescues. The attendants are highly qualified flight paramedics trained at levels which equal organizations such as STARS Air Ambulance.

STARS Coming to Grande Prairie!

Alberta Shock Trauma Rescue Society announced April 13, 2006 it plans to establish its third regional service base in Grande Prairie. STARS currently operates two bases – one in Calgary and one in Edmonton – and a fleet of five helicopters. The organization’s mission service area covers about 90% of Alberta’s population as well as several communities in southeastern British Columbia. The new Grande Prairie base will allow STARS to enhance its current coverage area to serve a greater number of individuals in need of specialized care and rapid transport.

Key Contacts for Business Development

Need More Information?

If you require any additional information regarding development opportunities in our exciting region or have questions about the information presented here please contact:

Municipal Contacts

County of Grande Prairie office at:
10001 - 84 Avenue Clairmont, AB T0H 0W0
Tel: 780-532-9722
Fax: 780-539-9880
E-mail: countygp@countygp.ab.ca

Everett McDonald, Reeve
RR#1, Site 4, Box 5
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2Z8
Hm: 532-0976
Cell: 831-8590
E-mail: ermcdon@telusplanet.net

W.A. (Bill) Rogan, County Administrator
Tel: 780-532-9722
Fax: 780-539-9880
E-mail: brogan1@countygp.ab.ca

Walter Paszkowski, Economic Development Officer
Tel: 780-532-9722
Fax: 780-539-9880
E-mail: edo@countygp.ab.ca 

Provincial Contacts

Alberta Economic Development:
Main reception: 780-538-5230 3501
Provincial Building
10320 - 99 Street
Grande Prairie, AB, Canada T8V 6J4
Website: www.alberta-canada.com/aed/index.cfm

Bob Hall, Director, Regional Economic Development
Tel: 780-538-5230
Fax: 780- 538-5332
E-mail: bob.hall@gov.ab.ca

Nicole McMullan, Regional Development Project Officer
E-mail: nicole.mcmullan@gov.ab.ca Back to Table of Contents

Legislative Assembly of Alberta

Mel Knight, Member of Legislative Assembly [MLA]
Grande Prairie Smoky Constituency
#132, 10800 - 97 Ave.
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Tel: 780-427-1879
Fax: 780-415-0968

Gordon Graydon, Member of the Legislative Assembly [MLA]
Grande Prairie - Wapiti Constituency
#104, 10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Tel: 780-415-4894
Fax: 780-415-4857 

Federal Contacts

Chris Warkentin, Member of Parliament [MP] (Elected Jan. 23, 2006)
Peace River Constituency

Parliamentary Address:
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Constituency Office:
#207, 10605 West Side Drive
Grande Prairie, Alberta  T8V 8E6

E-mail: warkentin.c@parl.gc.ca
Website: www.chriswarkentin.ca

Toll Free: 1-800-667-0456
(780) 538-1677
fax (780) 538-9257

Local Chambers and Business Associations

Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce
CEO
217-11330-106 Street
Grande Prairie Alberta
Canada T8V 7X9
Phone: 780-532-5340 

Copyright 2006, County of Grande Prairie No.1 Photo Credit: Country Proud Photography

Location

The County of Grande Prairie covers an area of 5,570 square kilometres and is located 460 kilometres (268 miles) northwest of Edmonton.

Located within the County is the City of Grande Prairie, the Towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley, the Village of Hythe, the Hamlets of LaGlace, Bezanson, Clairmont and Valhalla Centre, numerous small country points, and a small federal Indian Reserve. The County is bordered by the Municipal Districts of Greenview, Clear Hills, Saddle Hills and by the Province of British Columbia.

The County of Grande Prairie and surrounding region provides a diverse trading market serving over 250,000 people within a 200 km radius. With approximately 2.8 people per square kilometer it offers uncrowded, unspoiled scenery, and unlimited potential for industrial, commercial and residential development.

Post Secondary Education

Grande Prairie Regional College

The Grande Prairie Region is fortunate to have access to high-quality career programs and instruction through the Grande Prairie Regional College. The college, which serves more than 10,000 students annually, is located in the City of Grande Prairie.

  • Offers a wide variety of programs including university studies, options for degree completion, an applied degree in Natural Resource Management and academic upgrading, as a program or as part of a blended program.
  • Instruction is based in the main campus in the City of Grande Prairie and through off-campus facilities in Grande Cache, Hinton, Slave Lake and several Peace Region communities.
  • Campus attracts students from a wide geographic area due to its low tuition, small classes, personal contact and extensive awards program.

NAIT Fairview Campus

NAIT offers a wide selection of pre-employment and technical program options at their beautiful Fairview Campus. Some of the more recognized programs include Turfgrass Management Technology, the Harley Davidson Technician Program and pre-employment carpenter, millwright and welder. The campus includes a state-of-the-art fitness facility, indoor aquatics centre, theatre, 3-hole golf course and pond stocked with trout. It is a must see in the summer months and offers regional residents another quality option for post-secondary education.

Industry Specific Training Coming to the Grande Prairie Region

NEW NAIT Campus Coming in 2008!

The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, otherwise referred to as NAIT, based out of Edmonton, made a commitment in late November of 2004 to take a leadership role in expanding and delivering trades and apprenticeship training to the Grande Prairie Region. NAIT recognizes that with Grande Prairie’s booming economy comes the need for all kinds of skills; everything from carpentry and instrumentation to welding.

NAIT has already chosen a site on the southwest side of Grande Prairie and is now making plans for its new campus to open in the fall of 2008. Nait is working closely with regional employers to determine the labour force needs and will be using that information to develop its new programs and customized training for businesses and organizations in the region. This commitment from NAIT will mean a continuously replenished and skilled workforce.

Taxation

Municipal Tax Structure

Municipal tax rates in the Grande Prairie Region are highly competitive with other regions of Alberta and the U.S. making the area a desirable place for young families and commercial businesses to relocate.

2006 Municipal Taxation Rates  Source: County of Grande Prairie No.1  


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provincial - Corporate and Personal Taxes

Alberta ranks very low in Corporate Income Tax rates against other provinces in Canada and the United States. Alberta’s provincial personal tax rates are among the lowest in Canada. A two income family of four, earning $60,000 (Cdn$) per year, pays approximately $600 less in total provincial taxes (including health care premiums, salary taxes and other excise taxes) in Alberta than in Ontario and about $2,300 less than in Quebec.

Income

The average household income in the County of Grande Prairie is $71,406 (Statistics Canada, 2001 Census). The household income national average for the past four years has been $54,000. Clearly the average County of Grande Prairie household income is substantially higher than the national average making the region attractive to families looking to relocate.

Transportation

The Grande Prairie Region is well connected to the rest of Alberta, Canada and the U.S. by road, air, rail and cable. It has been distinguished as the service centre for the north because it provides economical services, communication and transportation to over 250,000 people within a 200 km radius.

The County of Grande Prairie is part of the North-South Trade Corridor (NSTC), a 1,175 kilometre network of multi-lane highways providing fast, safe and efficient transportation of goods from the British Columbia border near Grande Prairie, through Edmonton and Calgary to the CANAMEX Trade Corridor at Coutts on the Montana border. The CANAMEX Corridor connects local businesses to suppliers and markets in the U.S. and Mexico.

North-South and CANAMEX Trade Corridor Map

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regional Highway System

There is a strategic network of both primary and secondary highways within the County of Grande Prairie, including approximately 3,300 miles of well maintained service roads connecting to the major paved arteries.

The County of Grande Prairie is easily accessible to and from the North Peace Region, Northern B.C. and Edmonton.

Highway #43 connects Grande Prairie via Valleyview from Edmonton. It connects Grande Prairie to Dawson Creek, B.C. and the Alaska Highway; to the John Hart Highway 93 going south to Prince George, and to the ports of Prince Rupert and Vancouver.

Highway #40 connects Grande Prairie with Grande Cache, Hinton and the Yellowhead Highway leading to Jasper to the west.

Highway #2 connects the City of Grande Prairie with points north such as Clairmont, Fairview, Grimshaw and Mile 0 of the Mackenzie Highway #35.

Highway #59 connects Highway #43 northwest of Hythe to Highway #2 north of Sexsmith. Secondary highways within the County of Grande Prairie include #667, #668, #670, #671, #672, #674, #720, #721, #722, #723, #724 and #733. The major bus line which provides regular scheduled service to and from Grande Prairie is Greyhound Canada. The region is well serviced by a number of major trucking and courier companies.

To view a pdf version of the County Map Click Here

Connecting by Air

The Grande Prairie Regional Airport, located 6.5 kilometres west of the city centre, provides scheduled passenger service, cargo and charter flights throughout western Canada. Just a 50 minute flight to the Edmonton International or Municipal Airports, or a 90 minute flight to the Calgary International Airport, the region is well connected to areas beyond our doorstep. The major airlines servicing the Grande Prairie Regional Airport include Air Canada, West Jet and Hawk Air direct to Vancouver; Peace Air, Swanberg Air and Northwestern Air to Yellowknife.

Connecting by Rail

The railway links Grande Prairie to the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Churchill, Thunder Bay, and Hay River in the Northwest Territories. Shortline rail operations are provided by Savage CANAC Corporation. The rail network connects with the CN line at Swan Landing (near Hinton, Alberta) in the south, and stretches to Hythe, Alberta in the northwest branch (near Dawson Creek, British Columbia) and Wanham, Alberta in the northeast branch.

Railway links from Grande Prairie

High Speed Internet and Network Communications

Grande Prairie area residents and businesses have access to state of the art telecommunications technologies through Telus and Persona which offer high speed internet and cellular phone access, and cable internet, respectively. There are also a number of other companies that offer high speed internet and network services.

Regional Internet Service Providers
To access the most complete and up to date listing visit Canadian Internet Service Providers website at (www.canadianisp.com)

The Alberta SuperNet now connects over 402 smaller rural communities and all libraries, schools, hospitals and provincial government offices across the province with affordable, high-speed broadband connectivity. Approximately 4,200 facilities in 429 communities are linked through the SuperNet.

Utilities

Aquatera is a regional utility corporation formed by the County of Grande Prairie, City of Grande Prairie, and Town of Sexsmith. Aquatera owns and operates the wastewater treatment system, water distribution, water collection mains and structures, and sanitary sewer services for the City of Grande Prairie, Town of Sexsmith and a portion of the County. Aquatera also provides landfill service to the City of Grande Prairie and recycling programs through their Eco Centre including educational programs and information on recycling and composting, school tours and classroom visits.

Regional Water Line The County of Grande Prairie has entered into partnership with the City of Grande Prairie and the Town of Sexsmith to build a Regional Water Line which will carry treated water to residents in the County. The source of the water is the Wapiti River. The Regional Water Line, which is expected to be fully operational in 2006, will carry treated water from the Aquatera Water Treatment Facility and distribute it to the Hamlet of Clairmont, Town of Sexsmith and service development adjacent to the highway right-of-way. The water line will provide a safe, secure water source for the growing needs of residential and industrial areas of the County.

The County of Grande Prairie provides high quality utility services to the following communities:

  • Water and sewer service to the Hamlets of Bezanson, Teepee Creek and LaGlace.
  • Sewer service to the Hamlet of Valhalla.
  • Westlake Village, Carriage Lane and Wedgewood subdivisions, the Hamlet of Clairmont and the industrial development north of the City of Grande Prairie are provided with water and sewer service from Aquatera.

Regional Landfills and Recycling

The County of Grande Prairie No.1 prides itself as a “green” County and encourages everyone to be respectful of our environment and mindful of our management of waste and consumer products.

The West Grande Prairie County Regional Landfill was created by the Regional Landfill Authority through an original partnership between the County of Grande Prairie and the Towns of Beaverlodge and Wembley. In 2005, the partnership expanded to include the Town of Sexsmith and Village of Hythe. The Regional Landfill, which is located nine miles north and three miles east of Beaverlodge, serves the partnering municipalities.

The County operates three landfill sites and offers six recycling depots across the County. The recycling depots accepts everything from paper and plastic to metals, appliances, tires, electronics and more. For more information on this program and what is accepted at each location visit the County website at www.countygp.ab.ca.

 

 

Natural Gas and Electricity

ATCO Gas distributes natural gas while ATCO Electric distributes electricity for the County of Grande Prairie. This means that they are responsible for distributing connecting and maintaining gas and electrical lines, respectively, for businesses and residences. Once a service is established, residents and businesses must choose between a number of gas and electricity providers, either regulated or competitive, who are responsible for billing and account management.

Direct Energy is the regulated natural gas and electricity provider in the Grande Prairie area. The competitive retailers for natural gas are Alberta Energy Savings L.P., Direct Energy Essential Services and ENMAX. The competitive retailers for electricity are Direct Energy Essential Services and ENMAX.

To find out more valuable information about regulated and competitive energy provider options within the Grande Prairie Region visit www.customerchoice.gov.ab.ca.

Contact Info

Electrical Power

ATCO Electric
9717 - 97 Avenue
Grande Prairie, Alberta
Tel: 780-538-7000
Tel: 1-800-668-2248

Natural Gas

ATCO Gas
8801 - 112 Street
Grande Prairie, Alberta
T8V 6A4

Gas Customer Assistance Centre
Tel: 310-5678 (toll free) or
1-888-511-7550
48 hours notice is required for service

Telephone

TELUS
Grande Prairie, Alberta
Tel: 780-532-9115
General Customer Service Tel: 1-888-811-2323
Business Customers Tel: 1-888-811-2828

Internet Services

The number of companies providing high speed internet service is constantly growing. To view a complete list of service providers in our region and across the province visit www.canadianisp.com. 

 

Population

Total Population    
Population 2004* 15,638
Population 2003* 15,638
Population 2002* 15,638
Population 2001** 15,640
Population 2000* 15,320
Population 1996** 13,750
Population 1991** 12,314
Population % change 1991-1996 10.44%
Population % change 1996-2001 12.07%
* Source: Official Population List, Alberta Municipal Affairs
** Source: Statistics Canada 1991, 1996, & 2001 Census

Total Population 1991-2001

Population by Age and Gender  1996 
Male 		 1996 
Female 		 1996 
Total 		 2001 
Male 		 2001 
Female 		 2001 
Total 
Age 0 - 4 485 470 955 565 465 1,030
Age 5 - 14 1,355 1,295 2,650 1,375 1,360 2,735
Age 15 - 19 655 565 1,220 735 660 1,395
Age 20 - 24 435 320 755 425 405 830
Age 25 - 34 930 945 1,875 955 915 1,870
Age 35 - 44 1,275 1,270 2,545 1,445 1,440 2,885
Age 45 - 54 920 805 1,725 1,315 1,120 2,435
Age 55 - 64 595 490 1,085 715 625 1,340
Age 65 - 74 365 295 660 415 330 745
Age 75 and older 140 125 265 195 160 355
Total All Persons 7,170 6,580 13,750 8,150 7,490 15,640
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Grande Prairie No. 1, County of Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Highest level of schooling for Population 20yrs and older  2001  % 
People without high school certificates 3,485 33.16%
People with high school certificates 1,280 12.18%
People with trades or non-university certificate or diploma 3,700 35.20%
People with post-secondary education (not completed) 1,020 9.71%
People with university diploma/certificate 150 1.43%
People with university degree 875 8.33%
Total Population 20 years and older 10,510 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Grande Prairie No. 1, County of Highest Level of Schooling 2001


Population with Post Secondary Qualifications  1996  %  2001  % 
Agriculture and biological sciences 275 7.42% 280 5.89%
Commerce, management and business administration 570 15.38% 830 17.46%
Educational, recreational and counseling services 430 11.61% 500 10.52%
Engineering and applied science tech. and trades 1,535 41.43% 1,885 39.64%
Engineering and applied sciences 65 1.75% 135 2.84%
Fine and applied arts 205 5.53% 210 4.42%
Health professionals, science and technologies 355 9.58% 575 12.09%
Humanities and related fields 110 2.97% 90 1.89%
Mathematics and physical sciences 10 0.27% 45 0.95%
Social sciences and related fields 135 3.64% 195 4.10%
Other and/or no specialization 0 0.00% 0 0.00%
Total people with post secondary qualifications 3,705 100.00% 4,755 100.00%
Females with post-secondary qualifications 1,665 44.94% 2,290 48.16%
Males with post-secondary qualifications 2,040 55.06% 2,465 51.84%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Labour Force

Labour force by activity  1996  2001 
In the labour force, both sexes 7,995 9,160
Not in the labour force, both sexes 2,095 2,665
Total population 15 and over 10,090 11,830
Employed, both sexes 7,555 8,675
Unemployed, both sexes 440 490
Participation rate, both sexes 79.00% 77.00%
Unemployment rate, both sexes 5.00% 5.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

 

Labour Force by Industry Division  1996  % of total  2001  % of total 
Agriculture 1,565 19.70% 1,445 15.79%
Mining 670 8.43% 1,010 11.04%
Manufacturing 480 6.04% 490 5.36%
Construction 795 10.01% 940 10.27%
Transportation. & Utilities 630 7.93% 765 8.36%
Retail and Wholesale 1,170 14.73% 1,070 11.69%
Finance 160 2.01% 310 3.39%
Business & Community Services 1,820 22.91% 2,925 31.97%
Public Administration 210 2.64% 205 2.24%
Total All Industries 7,945 100.00% 9,150 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Grande Prairie No. 1, County of Labour Force By Industry - 2001


 
Labour Force by Major Occupational Groups  1996  %  2001  % 
Management occupations 475 5.98% 785 8.58%
Business, Finances and administrative occupations 1,305 16.44% 1,310 14.32%
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations 235 2.96% 465 5.08%
Health occupations 160 2.02% 320 3.50%
Occupations in social science; education; government and religion 345 4.35% 430 4.70%
Occupations in art; culture; recreation and sport 90 1.13% 75 0.82%
Sales and service occupations 1,435 18.07% 1,570 17.16%
Trades; transport; equipment operators and related occupations 1,675 21.10% 2,140 23.39%
Occupations unique to primary industry 1,760 22.17% 1,735 18.96%
Occupations unique to processing; manufacturing and utilities 470 5.92% 330 3.61%
Occupations not elsewhere classified 50 0.63% 15 0.16%
Total - All Occupations (major groups) 7,940 100.00% 9,150 100.00%
Females - All Occupations 3,410 42.95% 3,880 42.40%
Males - All Occupations 4,530 57.05% 5,270 57.60%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Income

Family Income (Number of Families)  1996  %  2001  % 
less than $19,999 340 9.54% 280 7.25%
$20,000 - $39,999 870 24.40% 685 17.75%
$40,000 - $59,999 955 26.79% 1,035 26.81%
$60,000 and over 1,400 39.27% 1,840 47.67%
Total number of families 3,565 100.00% 3,840 99.48%
Average family income $59,753   $75,472  
Median family income $52,199   $65,003  
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Household Income (Number of Households)  1996  %  2001  % 
less than $19,999 635 14.35% 480 9.13%
$20,000 - $39,999 1,160 26.21% 905 17.22%
$40,000 - $59,999 1,060 23.95% 1,155 21.98%
$60,000 and over 420 9.49% 2,720 51.76%
Total number of households 4,425 100.00% 5,255 100.00%
Average household income $55,518   $71,406  
Median household income $47,582   $60,899  
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Family Expenditure

Expenditure Category  1992  % of total  1996  % of total 
Food and Shelter $45,379,135 36.80% $63,001,320 34.75%
Clothing $8,604,065 6.98% $11,608,379 6.40%
Education and Reading materials $2,738,590 2.22% $3,951,091 2.18%
Health and Personal care $7,613,700 6.17% $11,803,658 6.51%
Hshld. operationas and furnishings $13,615,410 11.04% $21,915,864 12.09%
Recreation $10,444,815 8.47% $15,805,560 8.72%
Transportation $25,197,780 20.43% $35,980,571 19.84%
Miscellaneous $9,694,780 7.86% $17,242,013 9.51%
Total Current Consumption $123,320,115 100.00% $181,308,456 100.00%
Total # of Households 3,920   4,425  
Average Consumption per Household $31,459   $40,974  
Source: Statistics Canada Family Expenditure Survey 1992 & 1996 (numbers may not add up due to rounding).

Grande Prairie No. 1, County of Family Expenditures (1996)

Building Permits

Total Building Permit Values  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
Building Permits Value, Commercial $4,072,000 $6,900,000 $10,331,000 $19,388,000 $40,514,000
Building Permits Value, Industrial $2,787,000 $27,047,000 $10,953,000 $4,209,000 $6,043,000
Building Permits Value, Institutional $100,000 $571,000 $538,000 $750,000 $20,000
Building Permits Value, Residential $22,221,000 $31,072,000 $25,950,000 $35,227,000 $37,310,000
Building Permits Value, Total $29,180,000 $65,590,000 $47,772,000 $59,574,000 $83,887,000
Total Housing Starts 173 293 150 197 167
Source: Statistics Canada 2000-2004 Building Permits (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Total Housing Starts

Value of Building Permits

Dwellings

Occupied Private Dwellings by Type  1996  % of total  2001  % of total 
Apartments 0 0.00% 20 0.38%
Detached Duplexes 10 0.23% 10 0.19%
Movable Dwellings 1,045 23.62% 445 8.46%
Other single attached house 10 0.23% 40 0.76%
Row and semi-detached house 25 0.56% 55 1.05%
Single-detached house 3,340 75.48% 4,695 89.26%
Total number of occupied private dwellings 4,425 100.00% 5,260 100.00%
Private dwellings, owned 4,005 90.51% 4,860 92.40%
Private Dwellings, rented 415 9.38% 390 7.41%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)
Private Dwellings by Period of Construction  # of Dwellings  % of total 
Period of construction, before 1946 415 7.89%
Period of construction, 1946 - 1960 415 7.89%
Period of construction, 1961 - 1970 535 10.17%
Period of construction, 1971 - 1980 1,265 24.05%
Period of construction, 1981 - 1990 920 17.49%
Period of construction, 1991 - 2001 1,710 32.51%
Total number of private dwellings constructed 5,260 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Farming

Grande Prairie No. 1, County of Total Farm Area : 1,440 acres

Farms by Total Farm Area (2001)  # of Farms  % of total 
Farms - Under 129 acres 123 8.52%
Farms - 130 to 239 acres 361 25.02%
Farms - 240 to 559 acres 339 23.49%
Farms - 560 to 759 acres 141 9.77%
Farms - 760 to 1,119 acres 154 10.67%
Farms - 1,120 to 1,599 acres 124 8.59%
Farms - 1,600 to 2,239 acres 99 6.86%
Farms - 2,240 acres and over 102 7.07%
Total number of farms reporting 1,443 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census of Agriculture(numbers may not add up due to rounding)

# of Farms by Total Farm Area

Farms by Total Gross Farm Receipts - 2001  # of Farms  % of total 
Farms gross farm receipts - under $9,999 382 26.47%
Farms gross farm receipts - $10,000 to $49,999 527 36.52%
Farms gross farm receipts - $50,000 to $99,999 222 15.38%
Farms gross farm receipts - $100,000 to $249,999 215 14.90%
Farms gross farm receipts - $250,000 to $499,999 77 5.34%
Farms gross farm receipts - $500,000 and over 20 1.39%
Total number of farms reporting 1,443 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census of Agriculture(numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Total Gross Farm Receipts

Farming, Continued

Characteristics of Farm Operators  #  % 
Age - Under 35 years 215 10.57%
Age - 35 to 54 years 1,140 56.02%
Age - 55 years and over 675 33.17%
Average age of operators 49  
     
Number of operators - Female 590 28.99%
Number of operators - Male 1,440 70.76%
Total number of operators reporting 2,035 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census of Agriculture(numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Age of Farm Operators

Projects

Summary of Projects in Grande Prairie No. 1, County of as of September 2006

Project Sector  Number of Projects  Project Cost 
Infrastructure  11  $67,243,250 
Tourism/Recreation  1  $25,000,000 
Oil, Gas & Oilsands  1  $18,000,000 
Institutional  2  $15,700,000 
Pipelines  2  $13,300,000 
Other Industrial  2  $11,000,000 
Commercial/Retail  1  $8,500,000 
Residential  1  $3,500,000 
Manufacturing  1  $3,000,000 
Total 22  $165,243,250 
This inventory lists projects in Alberta that have recently been completed, are under construction, or are proposed to start construction. Not all projects are listed due to reasons of confidentiality and/or due to information not being available at the time of printing. Project data is obtained from public information sources, where possible, this data has been verified with the project proponent/developer, users of the Inventory may wish to confirm project data with the proponent/developer. The inventory does not breakdown project expenditures by any given year. The cost of a project is the value of expenditures expected over all phases of project construction, which may span over two or more years. Cost of projects listed in the Inventory are estimated values only. Source: Alberta Economic Development, 2004.

Value of Projects by Sector (as of September 2006)

Project Status  Number of Projects  Project Cost 
Announced   4  $10,800,000 
Completed   4  $35,100,000 
Nearing Completion   1  $4,000,000 
Proposed   6  $77,800,000 
Under Construction   7  $37,543,250 
Total 22  $165,243,250 
This inventory lists projects in Alberta that have recently been completed, are under construction, or are proposed to start construction. Not all projects are listed due to reasons of confidentiality and/or due to information not being available at the time of printing. Project data is obtained from public information sources, where possible, this data has been verified with the project proponent/developer, users of the Inventory may wish to confirm project data with the proponent/developer. The inventory does not breakdown project expenditures by any given year. The cost of a project is the value of expenditures expected over all phases of project construction, which may span over two or more years. Cost of projects listed in the Inventory are estimated values only. Source: Alberta Economic Development, 2004.

Largest Projects in Grande Prairie No. 1, County of as of September 2006

Company Name  Project 
Description 		 Project 
Location 		 Project 
Cost 		 Construction 
Schedule 		 Status 
City of Grande Prairie / County of Grande Prairie / Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation  Highway 43A Bypass around Grande Prairie  Cty of Grande Prairie  $28,000,000  -  Proposed  
Pipestone Creek Dinosaur Bed Project Committee  Pipestone Creek Dinosaur Interpretive Centre (previously describes as Dinosaur M  Cty of Grande Prairie  $25,000,000  -  Proposed  
County of Grande Prairie  2006 Road Construction and Upgrade Projects  Cty of Grande Prairie  $18,600,000  2006-2006  Completed  
BJ Services  NEW FACILITY  Cty of Grande Prairie (Clairmont)  $18,000,000  2006-2007  Under Construction  
Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation  SH 671 (Goodfare Rd) Base Pave  Cty of Grande Prairie (E of BC to W of Goodfare)  $11,200,000  2006-2007  Under Construction  
Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation*  New School (K to Gr 8)  Cty of Grande Prairie (Clairmont)  $8,500,000  -  Proposed  
Nabors Industries Ltd.  Office Building, Warehouse and Shop  Cty of Grande Prairie  $8,500,000  2005-2006  Completed  
Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation*  Elementary School Modernization / Expansion to (K to Grade 9)  Cty of Grande Prairie  $7,200,000  2006-2007  Announced  
County of Grande Prairie  Rail Container Depot  Cty of Grande Prairie  $7,000,000  -  Proposed  
County of Grande Prairie  Water Pipeline  Cty of Grande Prairie  $7,000,000  2005-2006  Completed  

 

 

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