In 2021, Sturgeon County will invest more than $114 million into important initiatives like new and better roads, faster internet, local economic development, and a safer community. The Sturgeon County 2021 Growth Plan makes investments in six foundational priority initiatives that leverage infrastructure expertise and disciplined decision-making to help accelerate job creation, strengthen the economy.
- Transportation
More than $45 million will be invested to build, improve, and maintain local roads and bridges. This includes gravel road and shoulder stabilization, intersection improvements, and important work on drainage issues to help mitigate future flooding issues throughout the County.
- Broadband
Up to $7.3 million will be invested in broadband infrastructure for a pilot project to bring an area of the County to a minimum 50/10 Mbps service standard. The County will partner with a private Internet Service Provider(s) to incentivize timely delivery of service to the pilot project area, with a focus on meeting appropriate service standards, ensuring affordability to residents and business, and ensuring future scalability.
- Economic Development
Nearly $2 million will be spent to attract investment and new business within Sturgeon County. This includes new funding to help grow the Villeneuve Airport Area, the Sturgeon Industrial Park, and messaging on the County’s positive investment climate to local, national and international audiences.
- Safety
$5.3 million has been dedicated to help keep residents and businesses safer. This includes funds for Sturgeon Victim Services, more firefighters, as well as the County’s increased responsibility for policing costs.
- Community Services
An additional $1.3 million will be spent to improve the day-to-day services that residents and businesses receive from Sturgeon County. This includes a variety of behind-the-scenes enhancements for business operations, utility delivery, building upgrades (e.g. HVAC) , as well as a new, more responsive online experience to deliver information in an attractive and easy to access manner.
- Environment and the New Economy
Sturgeon County will invest nearly $150,000 on new initiatives to improve its environmental planning initiatives and to attract environmental sound business development such as clean hydrogen. The County is well positioned to foster the massive economic and environmental potential within the clean hydrogen industry. A small investment is required to ensure the County is resourced to engage in hydrogen node development and complementary planning activities with partner governments, industry, and facilitators.