Open For Business

Current Initiative

Empowering Alberta communities to shape development, align priorities, and unlock responsible, value-driven industrial growth.

PART OF THE 2025-26 FELLOWSHIP SOLUTION PORTFOLIO

Overview

Communities and industrial project developers often start from different assumptions about what “good development” looks like. Project decisions are frequently made from a high level, without early insight into local priorities, impacts, or aspirations. This can create unnecessary friction, fuel public mistrust, and increase political and financial risk for developers.

This initiative helps communities proactively identify suitable sites for industrial and energy development—and clearly define the local conditions, requirements, and reciprocal benefits needed to minimize opposition. By giving developers clarity from the outset and giving communities a structured way to articulate what matters most, we can reduce risk on both sides, and realize benefits to all parties sooner. The result: faster, more predictable developments that meet Alberta's needs, and strengthen regional economies while respecting community values and long-term goals.

Why It Matters

$33B

Alberta's recent moratorium on renewable energy development has put $33B worth of proposed projects into question, largely justified by frustrations from rural municipalities.

14

rural municipalities in Alberta rely on renewable energy for over $1 million in municipal tax revenue. In 7 of those municipalities, the developments account for over $4 million in municipal tax revenue.

Hypothesis

If we help communities identify suitable development sites and define the conditions and benefits they would like to see in exchange for their development, we enable developers to deliver more profitable, timely projects that respect local values, reduce risk, build trust, and accelerate responsible economic growth.

Our Approach

This initiative will work with test communities to devise and document a process in support of creating and disseminating tools for local economic developers that can help identify and attract potential new business partners and development dollars to their region, while meeting the needs of Alberta's changing economy.