February 10, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tri-Municipal Partnership brings new era of opportunity for Greenview
A new agreement between Greenview, the County and City of Grande Prairie and the Alberta government heralds a new era of economic opportunity in the region and the promise of a more sustainable future for residents and business alike.
Reeve Dale Smith joined Reeve Leanne Beaupre, Mayor Bill Givens and Alberta Environment and Parks Minister, Jason Nixon, Feb. 10 in Grande Prairie for the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU), launching the first phase of the Tri-Municipal Industrial Partnership (TMIP).
Three years in the making, the TMIP MOU will help coordinate the efforts of partners to the agreement toward the establishment of a world-class Eco-industrial District within the boundaries of Greenview. Located on the Montney Formation, one of North America’s largest conventional gas formations, the district will serve as a global energy and petrochemical-manufacturing hub. The agreement emphasizes economic diversification beyond resource extraction through investment in a regional value-added sector, supporting the creation of long-term employment growth and opportunities for residents, Indigenous communities, and businesses.
Through the agreement, regional partners will work with the Alberta government to identify and secure Crown lands suitable for development. Already, Greenview has approved an Area Structure Plan (ASP) that provides land use, infrastructure, and policy framework to attract future industrial activities to the district and which will coordinate industrial activities to ensure effective management of cumulative environmental impacts – a critical component to the successful implementation of the eco-industrial management model. The ASP policy framework is supported by the Alberta government “red tape reduction” initiative to reduce administrative and regulatory barriers.
“We’re working with municipalities, Indigenous communities and the oil and gas industry to grow and diversify our economy in a way that is sustainable and innovation-focused. This collaboration presents an exciting opportunity to tap into the abundance of talent and potential this region has to offer while restoring investor confidence and sending a strong message that Alberta is open for business.”
Jason Nixon,
Minister of Environment and Parks
“This is an exciting day for Greenview, our regional partners, and for Alberta. The TMIP MOU is a critical first step forward in establishing Greenview and the Grande Prairie region as a leader in eco-industrial development. We are attracting interest from Canadian and international investors by balancing the development of our natural resources with the preservation and protection of the forests, lakes, and mountain ranges that are treasured by our residents and visitors from around the world. Greenview is proud to join with the County of Grande Prairie, the City of Grande Prairie, and the Alberta government in an initiative that will create a more diverse, more resilient local economy and a brighter, more sustainable future for our residents.”
Dale Smith,
Reeve, MD of Greenview
Rich in both natural and human resources, the proposed eco-industrial district is well-positioned to attract national and international investment. An existing network of infrastructure and utilities services the area with a regional power transmission corridor, access to pipelines and a secure water source from the Smoky River. Road and rail systems connect the region to domestic and international markets.
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Stacey Sevilla, Manager, Communications and Marketing
Direct: 780.524.7625
stacey.sevilla@mdgreenview.ab.ca
Web: mdgreenview.ab.ca
