June Focus on Business Newsletter

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June 2022 Issue

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2022 Business Breakfast - Successful Reflections

by Patricia Nicol - [email protected]

The 2022 Economic Development Business Breakfast was held in the early hours of May 10 offering up a unique new location at 214 St. Albert Trail, a vacant commercial building, with NAI Commercial welcoming the opportunity to host our annual event. Supporting our realtors and developers is an important role for the economic development team; providing exposure and opportunities whenever possible to industry, are vital to the continued growth and sustainability of our community.

With a sold-out audience of 160 attendees, it was wonderful to see many familiar and new faces in-person again. We were pleased to have the Honourable Ric McIver, Minister of Municipal Affairs join us.

Mayor Heron welcomed Duraline and OK Tire to the community and shared Council priorities, with industrial development and downtown growth at the top of the list. Permitting practices, expediency and eliminating red tape has allowed the City to be more responsive to developments, which has broadened the radar of organizations looking to expand into the metro region. Mayor Heron also spoke to the many collaborative partnerships and relationships the City has developed and maintained, all having a direct connection to high quality of services and the high quality of life residents and businesses enjoy.

Our two guest speakers did not disappoint. With Heather Thomson of 13 Ways, her tongue and cheek-titled presentation, "13 ways to Kill Your Commerce," shared insights into the do’s and don’ts of retail, the shifts in consumer psychology, particularly since the pandemic, and box store trends not be ignored which can be scaled and adopted and will become integral to being competitive in today’s ecommerce world.

Lynette Tremblay from Invest Alberta explained the role they play in business and investment attraction, connecting industry, government, academia and economic development partners to maximize the speed, ease and cost of expanding or relocating a business to Alberta. Lynette’s presentation included global trends and differences in economic strategies, detailing what the key drivers are for locational decision making.

Our own Christian Benson, Manager of Investment, Attraction and Growth, provided a whirlwind tour of the City showcasing a multitude of developments and investment activity that are currently taking place and are poised to be in St. Albert within the next two to four years. Christian delivered insight into 15 developments in 15 minutes – jam packed with site specific details and construction schedules. The proposed 613 acre Business Park (Lakeview Business District) was highlighted as the next designated City employment lands, and included in the area structure plan for St. Albert West, which is currently underway.

All in all, a great way to welcome back everyone to the start of in-person business events once again. We appreciate those who joined us. Stay tuned for another unique venue and Economic Development business event already in the works for 2023!

For those who weren’t able to join us this year, you can view it online! 2022 St. Albert Business Breakfast

Digital Economy Program in St. Albert

by Amanda MacDonald - [email protected]

When over 95% of businesses in Alberta are small businesses, supporting them in a competitive world is critical. That is why the City of St. Albert has joined the Digital Economy Program, with the University of Alberta as a strategic partner, through our commitment to the small business community, the Digital Economy Program will offer digital transformation support for local small businesses.

The Digital Economy Program is a free service. It was created in partnership with the City of St. Albert, the University of Alberta School of Business, Business Link, and Digital Main Street. The Digital Economy Program is open to small businesses with less than 50 employees who would like to undergo a digital transformation. Perhaps they need help with ecommerce or their web presence, social media strategy or analytics. Small businesses complete an application form, and are then paired up with a Digital Economy Program Service Squad who will look at a needs assessment and put together a work plan. Then the magic happens!

To be eligible:

• Businesses need to be registered in Alberta (Indigenous owned businesses that are not registered in Alberta may still

be eligible, please contact the Digital Economy Program Program Coordinator directly)

• Businesses must be considered a small business, with 0-49 employees

Learn more at www.yourDEP.ca

New Business Support Available for Women Entrepreneurs - Capital Growth Initiative

by Amanda MacDonald - [email protected]

A new round of grant funding has been announced though the Alberta Government. The province is investing $6 million in grant funding for business loans that are available to help provide women entrepreneurs easier access to capital in order to expand or start a business, create jobs and help diversify the economy.

The Capital Growth Initiative loan program provides low interest business loans and business advisory supports to women entrepreneurs. This loan program will be administered through two great business support organizations Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) and Community Futures Network of Alberta.

AWE is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping women achieve their entrepreneurial aspirations. Community Futures network of Alberta has a rural focus for Albertans and Indigenous communities to launch, grow and scale their businesses, through their 27 regional offices.

AWE Capital Growth Initiative

Community Futures Network: Capital Growth Initiative

Industrial Growth on the Rise

by Patricia Nicol - [email protected]

The Edmonton region saw remarkable growth in distribution and warehousing with 2.1 million sf of industrial space being leased in the fourth quarter of 2021, followed by a continued rise in Q1 of 2022. A record number of industrial projects are currently underway in the region, but it may not be enough to keep up with the increase and demand in large space industrial.

Industrial markets in Vancouver and Toronto are now looking to the Edmonton Region for availability of space due to a growing lack of quality distribution space, and are drawn to the lower lease rates and increasing opportunities in the Edmonton area.

The developer of the Anthony Henday Business Park in St. Albert stated, “We are encouraged by the sustained demand we have experienced in the Edmonton market and our recent lease up of over one million square feet,” says Meghan Kinney, Vice President, Leasing at QuadReal. “As tenants seek lower cost alternatives to Toronto and Vancouver, the Edmonton Region is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this activity with an environment well-suited for developers looking to deliver on new product in the next few years.”

St. Albert is certainly experiencing this trend with the newly constructed 197,000 sf building on Ray Gibbon Drive in the Anthony Henday Business Park being acquired by OK Tire in January of 2022, and is now home to its western regional distribution centre. Another recent addition to the city is the new offices and production facility of DuraLine, who secured a 150,000 sf space in Campbell Business Park in March 2022.

Dura-Line has been the global leader for over 50 years in the production of high-density polyethylene conduit for industries like telecommunications, transportation, electrical, enterprise networking, data centers, and others. Providing pathways for connection through fiber-optic cables; it is these fiber cables connecting to the internet, accessing information, education, and entertainment, and connecting people around the world.

With over 2,000 employees and more than 16 manufacturing facilities around the world, DuraLine is making it easier every day for people and businesses to connect.

Their operations in St. Albert will be ramping up over the summer months with a hiring fair to take place with an anticipated 100 positions available. The 150,000 sf facility on Carnegie Drive will undergo some modifications before becoming operational and will bring an estimated $20+ million in investment to St. Albert.

E-Scooter Pilot Program Resumes

by Month Killolh - [email protected]

On August 16, 2021, City Council approved a motion to initiate an E-Scooter Pilot Program in St. Albert. The project seeks to determine the viability of e-scooter sharing within the city and will run until the end of 2022. Throughout the course of the pilot, e-scooter companies will be deploying e-scooters at various locations within St. Albert for residents to rent and use for transportation and recreational purposes.

Program Regulations

E-Scooters may be used on sidewalks or trails only and may not be used on streets or roadways.
E-Scooter users must yield to other sidewalk traffic.
E-Scooters must not be used in a transit zone or at a transit centre, at special events, or inside buildings.
Riders are required to wear a helmet and must be at least 16 years of age.
Riders must ensure they follow parking rules and regulations outlined by the e-scooter company and may not park e-scooters in areas where they will impede pedestrian movement or access to a building or road/street.
Riders must ensure they do not use an e-scooter while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Program Changes for 2022

Upon review of the on-going pilot in early 2022, City Council has implemented the following changes to the E-Scooter Pilot Program:

A maximum of 5 e-scooter companies with a limit of 60 e-scooters each will be permitted to operate in the City for 2022;
Upon receiving notification of a mis-parked or abandoned e-scooter, e-scooter companies are now required to remedy such reported issues within 2 hours of receiving notice;
Designated, Preferred, and Restricted Parking Areas will be identified and implemented over the course of the 2022 season to help alleviate e-scooter clutter concerns – these areas will primarily be virtual “geo-fenced” areas employed through e-scooter company apps, although limited physical signage and markings may be implemented as well.

Reporting E-Scooter Issues

If you wish to report a misparked e-scooter or an e-scooter that has been parked for longer than 48 hours, please contact the related e-scooter company; contact information for each e-scooter company can be found on the following webpage:

https://stalbert.ca/cosa/participation/opportunities/e-scooters/

E-Scooter Questions & Feedback

Questions about the City’s E-Scooter Pilot Program can be directed to 780-459-1529 or [email protected]. If you wish to provide feedback about the program, please visit the following webpage (feedback will be included as part of the final Council Report on the E-Scooter Pilot Program): https://conversation.stalbert.ca/e-scooter-pilot

Alberco Construction Success

by Shawn McCauley - [email protected]

St. Albert firm awarded $70M contract to build new bridge in Athabasca

The City of St. Albert sends our biggest congratulations to local business, Alberco Construction Ltd. on securing a $70-million project to build a new bridge over the Athabasca River on Highway 813. This project is expected to support over 400 jobs throughout the construction phase and is should be open to traffic by 2025.

More details on this project can be found here.

Right Here In St. Albert

by Amanda MacDonald - [email protected]

Additional Series of Right Here in St. Albert Videos Released

The Economic Development department is pleased to announce the launch of the third phase of the Right Here in St. Albert business profiles, which will showcase a variety of local businesses that have set up shop Right Here in St. Albert.

Throughout the summer, videos will be released on Wednesdays on the City’s social media channels and at stalbert.ca/righthere. The first video will launch June 8.

The Right Here in St. Albert videos feature businesses who were identified as meeting a variety of criteria including those celebrating milestones, contributing to downtown business vibrancy and businesses that have expanded within the past five years. Businesses that were identified as friendly and welcoming, and customer-facing businesses were also selected, as were those who have contributed to new developments within the past five years or businesses that required specific development permitting, international businesses with space in St. Albert, and those in the construction sector.

The first five videos to be featured will highlight NABI, Bread Love, Tempest Fire Protection, Tool Hound, Inc and Whisk Bake Shop, each of whom exemplify different qualities that demonstrate the range of businesses who make a difference here in St. Albert.

Stay tuned to our channels on the City of St. Albert social media to share with your network, and find videos on our website at stalbert.ca/righthere.

St. Albert Farmers' Market

by Shawn McCauley - [email protected]

Opening Saturday, June 11!

Come and check out the largest outdoor farmers' market in Western Canada! The St. Albert Farmers’ Market showcases 270 vendors and attracts crowds of 15,000 – 20,000 each Saturday from June to October, rain or shine, 10am to 3pm.

The market features a variety of vendors carrying everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to home decor. Everything sold at the market is either hand-made, hand-baked, or home-grown, so you can feel good knowing that your purchases support the local community. It also has unique art, vegan and gluten-free goods, farm-fresh meat, hand-crafted jewelry, delicious distilleries, and more! They’ve even got gifts and garments for your furry friends.

For more details visit www.stalbertfarmersmarket.com

Spotlight on Business...One Bite Technology

Amanda MacDonald - [email protected]

You may be familiar with the strip of long-standing St. Albert businesses along Muir Drive, accessible going South on St. Albert Trail. In the Fall of 2021, a new computer repair/service business moved into the former Discovery Computers location. Local resident and owner of One Bite Technology, Jeff Baker, expanded his former home-based business that has been operating since 2018 and now has made a home for One Bite Technology in the Muir Drive location to meet the computer repair needs of the community and his growing clientele.

One Bite Technology offers computer repair service on both PC and MAC/Apple devices including iPhone and iPad. They offer a flat rate on liquid damage & board repair which is typically not offered through Apple Stores.

Jeff got into the business as it came natural to him after offering computer device repair for several years specializing in Apple devices. “Fixing Macs came naturally". Jeff shares. “I live in St. Albert. There are not many people in St. Albert or Edmonton that specialize in Apple repairs, so people travel from Edmonton for repairs, and in this business word of mouth goes far”.

Taking on some sleek renovations upon his move into the shop has given the computer repair shop a bit of a face lift. Sporting a “boutique” look and feel where repairs are done behind the scenes at the back of the shop, while an inventory of devices for purchase are available in the front of store. People can sell their used devices through consignment and can purchase used devices and/or accessories.

Check out One Bite Technology's website to browse their service listing or shop their online store.

One Bite Technology

22A Muir Drive, St. Albert

https://onebitetechnology.ca/

587-290-0200

The Spotlight on Business is a monthly feature wherein we highlight a local business and learn more about what they do and how they positively contribute to the identity and economy of St. Albert. If you, or someone you know, would like to be featured in a future issue, please contact [email protected] with a brief description of the organization.

New Businesses in St. Albert

Commercial/Industrial Businesses

Campbell Park Carwash OPENING SOON

587-879-9513

30-3 Curial Dr

Self-Service Carwash