Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development & Tourism

Tonya Skanes from Indigenous Services Canada, Economic Development Office was able to visit Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo and work from the FMWBEDT office for the week. Economic development is happening constantly at all levels of government and understanding the work that's going on at all levels allows for compounding efforts. Thank you Tonya, for the economic development work you're doing in FMWB at a federal level. Collaboration with the strong presence PrairiesCan has in-region and our team here at FMWBEDT guides informed strategy for growth and helping our communities succeed.

Government of Alberta Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, Devin Dreeshen joined us in the office today. Last night was a productive discussion with leaders in FMWB, in which Minister Dreeshen listened to community perspectives and provided valuable updates on transportation routes important to our region. Today we continued discussion on Highway 686 expansion to Grand Prairie, Highway 956 development to La Loche, and improvements to highways across the region. We know the value these developments will bring to the residents and businesses of FMWB. Our goal is to continue to work with the Province to create opportunities for economic growth and prosperity. Thank you for your time, Minister. And thank you Robbie Picard Media and Golosky Services for hosting the Minister and last night’s community reception.

Our business and investment attraction team is at ICSC this week providing research and data to retail brands and commercial developers. With over 1,900 industry professionals attending, there are giant opportunities for our region and we've been nonstop with meetings and walk-ups to the booth. Have you ever wondered how new developments progress in FMWB? Maybe you're curious as to how a big brands decide to make our region home? ICSC helps to connect developers, brands, and investors with organizations like Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development & Tourism and our friends at Fort McMurray Airport Authority. We listen to what the community wants and needs, then we provide market-specific data (like our nation-leading disposable income) that helps attract investment to our region, and guides businesses to selecting a location to get set up.

Your spot is still available! The team from the WBRIN snagged the remaining spots in the Avatar Ignite program, and one of them could be yours. If you're an energy professional in the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo region this program can add impressive leadership weight to your career. Avatar Innovations Ignite 2025 program is an immersive, 14-week program designed for innovation-driven professionals. Collaborate with top teams on impactful projects, gain mentorship from global leaders, and connect with a premier network of experts. It’s your opportunity to drive real-world change in the energy sector. Apply by January 20,2025 and shape the future of innovation! Learn more -

Our business and investment attraction team will be promoting FMWB as a desirable home for brands at this upcoming ICSC. There are meetings already booked with retail brands and commercial developers which is in addition to the heavy traffic the FMWB booth receives while showcasing. The decision-making process for these brands relies heavily on the data we’ve collected over the years, and we look forward to matching brands with developments in the region that are beneficial for everyone. #ICSC2025

Kickstart your year with business coaching from Startup YMM (this perk comes with your free membership)! Our Startup team is well-versed in the startup world and will guide you in the right direction. In your initial 1-hour session, our expert coach will work with you to identify your goals, challenges, and opportunities. From there, we'll determine the ideal number of sessions to help you achieve success. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting, Startup YMM's dedicated support is here to empower your venture in today's dynamic business landscape. Learn more and register here: https://buff.ly/3H6rijl Know someone who's been wanting to start a business of their own? Tag them below.

Our newsletter has been well-received by over 1000 recipients and growing since it's relaunch earlier this year. Inside is our popular FMWB economic dashboard, recent blog posts about various economic development and tourism initiatives, community events and partner spotlights, programming and other opportunities, and other insights into what we're doing to drive economic development and tourism in the region. Check out our December newsletter recap here: https://buff.ly/4iKRzVY

Employers across Canada are struggling to fill some roles. To help support our province’s economy, the Government of Alberta rolled out the Rural Renewal Stream in 2023. It helps employers with hard-to-fill roles who have demonstrated difficulty in finding local candidates. Our team developed the Workforce Immigration & Support Program to deliver the Rural Renewal Stream in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo. In 2024 alone we’ve supported over 200 local employers. We’re seeking proposals from businesses and organizations to administer this program. Full details are available on the Alberta Purchasing Connection: https://buff.ly/41K0j8D

“Participating in the Business Coaching Program has been a turning point for Birchwood Circle of Care.” Startup YMM’s dedicated support can elevate your entrepreneurial journey. Our 1-1 coaching is tailored to your needs – helping you to identify goals and make an impact on your business. Learn more and register: https://buff.ly/3H6rijl

There are opportunities open right now to succeed in 2025! We're put together a handy list of eight programs from various organizations. Grants, loans, and other funding resources are available to help Indigenous businesses start-up and grow. Check out the complete list: https://buff.ly/4gkWxqQ