Driven by attractive petrochemical and raw material feedstock costs, and combined with competitive transportation and construction costs, the Heartland region’s world-class facilities can produce global-scale quantities.
The 40+ companies in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland, several being world-scale, provide fuels, fertilizers, power, petrochemicals and more to provincial and global consumers.
The Heartland region’s geographic footprint is 582 square kilometres (225 square miles). Alberta’s Industrial Heartland is situated near the capital city of Alberta, Edmonton, the northernmost metropolitan area in Canada and home to more than 1.4 million people regionally. Proximity to Edmonton provides both labour and transportation advantages to industrial investors.
The petrochemical investment window is wide open right now for North America. Alberta and Canada can be the location of choice for billions of dollars of investment in value-add energy facilities — if we work together at all levels of government to create a competitive investment climate. Alberta is poised to attract a potential $30 billion in new capital investments to Alberta’s Industrial Heartland.
The Sturgeon Industrial Park (SIP) is ideally located for light and medium industry to capitalize on mega-projects in both Alberta’s Industrial Heartland and in Alberta’s oil sands. With recent County investments to upgrade infrastructure, SIP now has more than 2,000 acres of serviced land and another 1,400 acres available.
SIP has an established road network which includes excellent access to major highways including Alberta’s High Load Corridor, Alberta’s abundant natural resources and the CN Sturgeon Industrial Rail Line. Existing SIP businesses operate in the advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, chemicals manufacturing, transportation and logistics industries.
Sturgeon Valley
Sturgeon Valley is an established community of more than 3,500 residents supported by a statutory plan originally approved in 1999. This plan required amendment to allow for the future growth and completion of the community.
There has been significant work to-date to advance Sturgeon Valley planning and development. In March 2019, Sturgeon County received provincial approval for a new policy to guide planning of future Sturgeon Valley neighbourhoods.
Sturgeon County collaborated with the cities of Edmonton and St. Albert to develop these policies in response to a requirement of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board.
A detailed growth framework has been completed in addition to a transportation analysis and fiscal impact assessment. Sturgeon County is continuing to advance the planning framework for Sturgeon Valley which includes an update to the County’s existing Municipal Development Plan (MDP), updating the existing Sturgeon Valley Area Structure Plan (ASP) and developing a new ASP for the Sturgeon Valley Growth Area.
The County is targeting Q2, 2021 for completion and adoption of the planning framework. Sturgeon Valley will offer compelling investment opportunities for both residential and commercial development.
Sturgeon County Economic Innovation and Growth and County administration look forward to working with our regional partners, developers and real estate professionals to build the Edmonton Metropolitan Region’s best community.
For information on the Sturgeon Valley planning process:
Michael Klassen, Program Lead, Long Range and Regional Planning 780-939-8370 , or by email. For information on residential and commercial development in Sturgeon Valley:
Karim Khamisa, Investment Attraction Officer 780-265-0505 , or by email .
Villeneuve Airport
Located in Sturgeon County, the Villeneuve Airport is the Edmonton region’s primary general aviation airport and is owned and operated by Canada’s largest airport (by land mass), Edmonton International Airport (EIA). The lands surrounding the airport are poised for new commercial and industrial investment, with the potential to support regional economic growth, diversification, and new jobs.
The recently approved Villeneuve Airport Area Master Plan (VAAMP) showcases the opportunities to capitalize on existing infrastructure in a way that complements the airport and Sturgeon County.
The extensively research-backed VAAMP, focuses around four development concepts utilize existing infrastructure and local, regional and provincial programs: the Villeneuve Aviation and Aerospace Centre (VAAC), the Villeneuve ecoPark (VeP), the Villeneuve Agri-Innovation Hub (VAIH) and the Great Northern Logistics Park (GNLP).
The Villeneuve Aviation and Aerospace Centre (VAAC) is a proposed development including a unique innovation and education hub, industrial park, research and development (R&D) testing centre dedicated to aviation, aerospace and space applications, remotely piloted aircraft systems and defence projects.
The VAAC concept is showcased in the VAAMP Executive Summary that was presented to Council on Nov. 30, 2021.
The Villeneuve Landing Network (VLN) is a regional partnership focused on redeveloping the Villeneuve Airport.
Vision: As the nexus of world-class road, rail and air infrastructure, the Villeneuve Airport is a premier destination for industry-led innovation and investment. The Villeneuve Airport presents a generational opportunity for industrial, commercial, aerospace and defence industry investment.
The VLN consortium includes local Indigenous communities, regional municipalities, Edmonton International Airport (EIA), the Government of Alberta, post-secondary institutions, and other associate members.
