The City of Red Deer and Red Deer County have been awarded $100,000 in grant funding from the Northern and Regional Economic Development (NRED) Program, for joint regional growth and economic development.
Offered through the Government of Alberta’s Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Trade, the NRED Program funds initiatives led by Alberta municipalities, Indigenous Communities and non-profit organizations that promote regional economic development and diversification.
“The City of Red Deer and Red Deer County have a strong future of partnership and cooperation on issues of mutual interest. This funding from the NRED Project grant allows us to undertake work that fosters prosperity and growth that brings many benefits to the region, creating a high quality of life to our regional citizens,” said Mayor Johnston, City of Red Deer.
“In working together, we build up our region as a whole and maximize opportunities for residents of Red Deer County and the City of Red Deer,” said Red Deer County Mayor Jim Wood. “With the benefit of the NRED funding and a strong partnership approach, we are sending the message that central Alberta is investment ready.”
The work performed under this project will include the identification of lands which are suitable for joint economic development by The City of Red Deer and Red Deer County. The two municipalities share a common geography, demographics, social structure, economic base, and the unique opportunities offered by their location along the Calgary-Red Deer-Edmonton corridor. Using this grant funding, the City and County can capitalize on their location within the QE2 corridor and jointly provide large tracts of land, labour force, complimentary industries, and the urban infrastructure needed to attract these types of investments.
It will also support The City of Red Deer and Red Deer County goals within their Intermunicipal Development Plan, including coordinating the provision of infrastructure and services across our jurisdictional boundaries, attracting new businesses and residents to the region, and being innovative and future ready. They will work together to match and leverage this funding.
This project aligns with The City of Red Deer’s Strategic Plan Goal “Thriving City”, with outcomes that include a local economy that is strong and diverse, proactively-managed public infrastructure, financially responsible, with a healthy, equipped and competitive workforce.
This project also aligns with Red Deer County’s Strategic Plan Goal “Economic Development and Regional Collaboration: A Shared Growth Management Approach”, which emphasizes Red Deer County’s role as a regional leader and collaborator, and states that this especially includes opportunities related to shared infrastructure and joint initiatives.