The Wetaskiwin business community heard an encouraging report on the city's economic development during the Leduc, Nisku and Wetaskiwin Regional Chamber of Commerce's luncheon on Jan. 23, held at the Best Western Wayside Inn.
City of Wetaskiwin manager of Economic Development Vern May, the featured speaker at the event, gave a rundown of his department's gains over the past year.
His presentation's title, "Shut Up and Do Your Job" was taken from criticism he'd received at one point.
May said not all attempts to engage the community are met with positive responses, but when his department was told to do their jobs, they forged ahead, doing just that.
Workforce development
Over the past year, the city's Economic Development department, working in partnership with the Rural Renewal Stream, has filled 160 jobs.
In filling those jobs, 115 rental vacancies were also filled, he said.
"As a result now, we've spurred interest in housing development and we have at least two projects on the horizon in 2025 that you'll see breaking ground for in the spring for multi-family rental housing," said May.
Of those newcomers, 66 work in restaurants and 36 are in retail.
"160 is just a number; it seems a little abstract when you're talking about a community of our size, but here's how that translates into workforce that you see in the community: I guarantee in the course of your week you have met somebody that has come to the community under this program. We're creating solutions in real time."
As of Dec. 31, 2024, the Rural Renewal Stream had made 287 endorsements supporting 90 businesses. That means more than 160 workers and families are now newly living and working in Wetaskiwin, May explained.
The Rural Renewal Stream is a Government of Alberta program that addresses current labour needs and skill shortages in rural Alberta communities and helps newcomers settle into the community.
The program requires a community to apply to the province for community designation. A designated community is then responsible for working with their local economic development organization to attract foreign nationals. Candidates can be recruited from within Alberta, or Canada, or internationally.
The City of Wetaskiwin became a designated community under the program in August, 2023.
May said he regularly visits businesses that have benefited from the program and checks in with applicants, reviewing the staff schedules to ensure everything is "above board."
"We have no hesitation at all to refuse applications or disqualify businesses from participation that are acting in bad faith," said May.
"This program has too much potential good benefit to afford any scandal at all, so if you're not operating authentically, I am shutting your ass down," he said.
"The endorsement process is not simply a matter of approving every application. We are looking for candidates that don't just see Wetaskiwin as an easy point of entry for immigration. We're looking for people who are coming with families, who want to settle and create a prosperous future for themselves."
Marketing
While Wetaskiwin has some challenges, including an older population, workforce shortages, and being a small city against larger competitors, the city has a lot to offer and is now able to demonstrate to industry and investors that they're addressing those concerns, said May.
"The community is creating jobs that allow people to make a good living, so they can fully enjoy the quality of life that we stand on," he said.
"We've taken the message to the market. We're not waiting for the market to come to us. You have to hunt where the game is," said May.
"And so, despite the low opinion that we often hold of ourselves in the community, there are many investors across Canada and around the world who are looking longingly at what we have to offer here in Wetaskiwin - an affordable cost of living, a place where the dream of home ownership is achievable, small classroom sizes for their children's education, an abundance of recreation activities, free health care and a business environment that's not over-saturated and still presents many opportunities for growth and development."
The department was invited to participate in three international trade missions in 2024, and May and his one employee travelled to China, Vietnam and India, meeting with entrepreneurs who were considering Canada for business development and immigration.
They gave 30 presentations, held 113 one-on-one meetings, and the results are 22 inbound businesses and $2.4 confirmed inbound investment.
Business development
In 2024, Wetaskiwin attracted 22 new businesses, encouraged re-development of existing vacant land and buildings and conducted effective marketing, securing future growth, May reported.
May reported that in 2024, 27 new businesses were opened in Wetaskiwin and 70 new jobs were created. Seven businesses also closed.
May also detailed how his department works to support existing, local businesses with their Business Visitation Program, Business Spotlight Series, grants, tax incentives and more.
Upcoming events
The chamber is holding a Lunch and Learn on Jan. 29 about the basics of using Quick Books.
A job and career resource fair is being held on Feb. 12 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Edmonton airport.
The next luncheon, where funding and financing for small businesses will be discussed, will be on Feb. 21 in Leduc. Exact location is to be announced.
The 2025 Wetaskiwin Business Awards Gala is scheduled for April 11.
For more information, visit yourchamber.ca.
