Five great stories coming out of Edmonton this quarter
Photo courtesy of Brandon Hughes, RE/MAX Commercial Capital
Research shows that on average, people pay more attention to negative news than to positive news. This is a huge reason why the astonishingly higher proportion of news articles and media in today’s day and age leans toward negative, clickbait titles, rather than neutral, or heaven forbid, positive headers. So to start your week, here’s a compilation of five positive, no, GREAT stories that have come out of Edmonton and broader Alberta this past quarter.
1. Edmonton is the first Canadian city to remove parking minimums for real estate, and Calgary is looking to follow suit.
“Edmonton City Council has unanimously voted to remove minimum parking requirements city-wide. Beginning on July 2, developers, homeowners and businesses will be able to decide how much on-site parking to provide on their properties, rather than being required to provide a certain number of stalls as was the previous policy.” (Global News)
“Calgary businesses may soon be free of mandated parking minimums, something one councillor said has been discussed for nearly a decade. City of Calgary administration is bringing forth a proposal to the Planning and Urban Development committee meeting, that would lead to the removal of the minimum parking requirement for commercial locations.” (Livewire Calgary)
2. The Alberta Recovery Plan paints broad strokes across all industries to support technology, innovation, investment, diversification and entrepreneurialism in existing and upcoming industries.
The Alberta Recovery Plan includes:
$175 million for Alberta Enterprise Corporation (AEC), with a commitment to create an innovation strategy.
Startup Visa program aimed to help bring highly skilled workers to Alberta, details to be confirmed.
The creation of Investment Alberta whose aim, as a non-partisan organization, is to attract stronger investment to the Province, and represent the variety of strengths we have.
The newly announced Alberta Petrochemicals Incentive Program (APIP) will contribute to the attraction of an expected $30 billion in new petrochemical investments by 2030
Decreasing the provincial corporate tax rate to 8%, the lowest in Canada.
Extensive infrastructure spending.
Access the full plan and report via the link below:
3. In the past month, Edmonton has been named in two global rankings highlighting the world’s top startup Cities. AI, big data, analytics, and life science were noted as Edmonton’s sub-sector strengths.
“The Edmonton Metropolitan Region was featured in Startup Genome’s 2020 Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER). The report’s coverage of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region paints an accurate picture of a region bursting with talent and primed for opportunity. The region was recognized as ranking amongst the Top 10 North American Ecosystems for Affordable Talent in 2020. Earlier this year, the Edmonton region climbed 4 spots in StartupBlink’s global ranking of cities by startup ecosystem, placing it firmly in the top 100 at 91 out of a total of 1,000 cities ranked.” (Edmonton Global)
4. The Edmonton International Airport (EIA) continues to be an industry leader and driver with new HQs, cargo contracts, and the largest solar farm at any airport in the world.
“A manufacturer focused on green technology and recycled materials is the newest tenant at the Edmonton International Airport. Plant Plus, a company specializing in sugarcane straws and other products made from renewed agriculture waste, will set up shop north of the main terminal at Alberta Aerospace and Technology Centre on 36 Avenue. It is expected to be up and running by September.” (Edmonton Journal)
“EIA setting records with cargo charter flights…In the first quarter of 2020, total cargo volumes at EIA were up seven per cent compared to Q1 in 2019.” (Edmonton Global)
“Edmonton International Airport and Alpin Sun are working on an agreement that will see the company develop Airport City Solar, a 627-acre, 120-megawatt solar farm on what is now a canola field on the west side of the airport lands. The solar farm will be the largest at an airport anywhere in the world, EIA said in a news release.” (CBC)
5. Good “bun coverage” has led to Alberta lettuce securing a Canada-wide Wendy’s contract as exclusive supplier.
“From beef and bison to Taber corn, Alberta has several signature foods attributed to its name. But thanks to the endorsement of a major fast-food chain, Alberta lettuce is now creeping into the spotlight, too. The Whole Leaf greenhouse in Coaldale, Alta., has been chosen by Wendy's to supply the lettuce for all of its Canadian locations. And while that includes the lettuce for the chain's salads and sandwiches, Rindi Bristol — the senior director of sales with Whole Leaf — said it was chosen for the job largely because of the excellent burger "bun coverage" provided by its lettuce.” (CBC)
What other great stories are you hearing or learning from your colleagues, clients, friends and family?