Strategic Assets

Strategic Assets-Alberta's International Region

Regional Population	59,390
Greater Edmonton Area Population	> 1,200,000
Regional Workforce Population (25-54)	29,500
Regional Businesses	> 3,000
Businesses working Internationally	> 75%
Nisku Business Park	6,000 acres
Leduc Business Park	1,300 acres
AirLINKS Business Park	3,000 acres

The strategic assets of Alberta's International Region are the unique attributes it possesses that can be leveraged to generate specific economic value. These assets form the foundation of the region's value proposition and differentiation strategy:

Ø Nisku Industrial Business Park (Canada's largest and North America's second largest Industrial Park), whose expertise in the energy sector creates a competitive advantage to serve expanding oil and gas investments in the north-western parts of North America, as well as global market opportunities.

Ø Leduc Business Park, a 320-acre business park with future phases pending development capitalizes on the growing number of manufacturing and transportation/logistics companies locating to the region.

Ø Edmonton International Airport, Canada's fastest growing airport, provides a competitive strength for the attraction of manufacturing businesses with export potential, as well as a business logistics and transaction advantage for companies serving external markets.

Ø Alberta Agriculture's Food & Rural Development Food Research Centre and Agri-Business Incubator, a modern, fully equipped pilot plant and product development laboratory facility allows Agri-Business entrepreneurs the opportunity to gain the skills and expertise needed to grow their business and bring their food products to the world.

Ø Strong and diverse manufacturing base, a key segment of the supply chain that provides critical inputs to a broad section of customers from farming to heavy industry.

Ø Key transportation links, such as rail and road links, creates advantages for manufacturing and distribution businesses serving the CANAMEX corridor, the development of Canada's north, and north-south trade.

Ø Strategic position along the Queen Elizabeth II Highway corridor, one of the fastest growing corridors of economic wealth generation in North America, brings a multitude of opportunities for involvement in economic spin-offs and service growth.

Ø Residential and commercial growth in the region and the Capital City region's (Edmonton) southern areas creates critical mass for economic activities within the region.

Ø Regional Recreational and Cultural Facilities, high quality, accessible recreational opportunities promotes active and healthy lifestyles, e.g. Leduc Recreation Centre, Beaumont's Aqua-Fit Complex, Canadian Petroleum Discovery Centre.

Ø Genuine Wealth Assessment Program measures and pursues high Quality of Life attributes while minimizing the impact on the environment.