An economically attractive and livable Region
EMRB recognizes the key to attracting a talented and skilled workforce is to provide affordable housing options, as well as access to transportation, employment, parks and open spaces, and community and cultural amenities.
By 2044, the Region’s labour force is projected to grow to more than 1.26 million — this represents an increase of more than 500,000 new jobs since 2021.
An economic corridor connecting people, goods and services to global markets
Efficient and cost-effective access in and out of the Region is essential to attracting and retaining businesses and industrial development and fostering economic growth. The EMRB leads a coordinated effort to ensure integrated regional land use plans in place with policies allowing for strong and integrated economic corridors.
Learn more about our transportation plan
Cargo volume at Edmonton International Airport (YEG) continues year-over-year growth, even while overall global cargo volume is declining
Global companies, like Amazon, choose to establish warehouses here and create local jobs
About 49,700 vehicles travel the QEII Highway at Leduc interchange every day
Connecting communities to the world
High-speed internet is a necessary utility for every sector of a modern economy, and for all residents to be connected in everyday life, whether for work, school, health, community or entertainment.
Recognizing that many areas within the Region experience gaps in reliable high-speed internet service, our advocacy efforts bring a unified voice to overcome an obstacle to our regional growth.
Increased connectivity could add up to $1B to the Region’s annual GDP (with average speed of 100 MBps)
Agriculture grows the economy
There’s a saying in the Region that the original black gold isn’t oil, it’s the soil, and our Region is home to some of the most fertile soils in the country. Agriculture is the second largest industry in the Region, with 30% of Alberta’s prime agricultural soils and 25% of Alberta’s food and beverage processing industry.
By implementing the regional agriculture plan, we will see more compact growth, which will save 250 quarter sections of some of the most fertile lands that can be used to create opportunities in the agri-food sector, adding 17,000 jobs and an estimated $10B increase in the Region’s economy.
Learn more about our agriculture plan
Total direct economic output from the agricultural and agri-food industry in the Region has the potential to more than double from $4.5 billion in 2021 to an estimated $10 billion by 2046.
Climate resiliency for a healthy economy
Climate change has far-reaching effects that go beyond municipal borders. Among these are rising costs associated with the negative impacts of extreme weather events. Recognizing that the benefits of actions taken to adapt to climate change exceed the costs of inaction, the Region is looking at proactive measures to reduce these impacts and save money over the long term.
