By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

eliminating a disadvantage for rural communities

Nine local communities part of provincial Rural Entrepreneur Stream

Apr 14, 2022 | 2:03 PM

Nine central Alberta municipalities are now participating in the Government of Alberta’s Rural Entrepreneur Stream, a part of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP).

The nine are each members of Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP), a regional collective of municipalities working together to better the current state of the local economy.

The list includes Clearwater County, County of Wetaskiwin, Red Deer County, City of Wetaskiwin, Town of Didsbury, Town of Millet, Town of Olds, Village of Clive, and the Town of Trochu. To be eligible, a community must have less than 100,000 people and be outside the Calgary and Edmonton metropolitan areas.

CAEP Executive Director Kimberley Worthington explains that the program attracts global entrepreneurs to buy existing business or establish new business in rural Alberta.

The benefits are many, she says, noting a diversified tax base and the opportunity to increase population.

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“Qualified immigrant entrepreneurs looking to establish a life in Canada bring their family and their extended family to relocate here,” she explains. “Alberta has an employee shortage right now and it is an employee’s market. Family of the immigrant entrepreneur could become employees that other businesses need.”

Pro bono assistance is provided by Canadian Immigration Visa Services (CIVS), a for-profit, non government-affiliated company, to vet potential immigrant entrepreneurs.

“The other benefit is that local businesses tend to be fairly engaged in the community, providing sponsorships to youth activities like minor sports and the arts. Networks of immigrants leverage opportunity for learning, working and living,” says Worthington. “They attract friends and family who also support the community. Immigration brings innovation and elevates community, regions and the province.”

Worthington says rural Alberta has historically been at a disadvantage compared to bigger cities in this regard.

In 2022, this is namely because critical broadband internet is limited, as evidenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I hear stories about business professionals unable to upload files on their turtle-paced internet in rural Alberta and as a result need to move to a metro centre. This impacts business retention, expansion, and attraction. Residents also need to leave so their kids can do schoolwork,” she says. “This all said, the current CAEP Chair, James Carpenter, truly believes that the comeback of Alberta will be rural Alberta. CAEP is working to build capacity across central Alberta to increase our competitiveness.”

Worthington notes CAEP is working with the province to ensure its Alberta Advantage Immigration Program REIS program is inclusive, and that the city of Red Deer doesn’t miss out. It currently falls outside the Rural Entrepreneur Stream’s parameters because of its 100,000+ population, yet it is crucial to CAEP, its central hub.

“The city of Red Deer is diverse and inclusive with many immigrant populations and business owners. They are well-aligned to also attract global entrepreneurs with reasonable housing prices, business opportunities and a healthy immigration support system in place,” she says. “Many of the rural communities will be able to access immigration support services in Red Deer as well. As a region, we need to work together to make central Alberta a highly sought-after destination for global entrepreneurs and skilled workers.”

To qualify as a business owner, one must have either minimum three years of experience as an active business owner/manager, or a minimum of four years of experience as a senior manager in the past 10 years. You also must have, among other things, a business net worth of at least $300,000.