Core Business & Initiatives

The REDI Board has identified three core businesses and initiatives in Northwest Alberta to focus on over the 2020/2021 to 2021/2022 fiscal years:

• Economic Diversification & Opportunity Development
• Advocacy for Infrastructure & Transportation
• Regional Marketing & Promoting Partnerships

REDI has developed an action plan, complete with milestones, and has assigned accountability to these initiatives with input from the communities it represents.

Current projects REDI is undertaking include:

• Advocating for the construction of North to Alaska rail line through the REDI region. Direct rail access from Fort McMurray to connected ports in Alaska.
• Attracting tourism investment to the region, with a partnership with Mackenzie Frontier Tourist Association (MFTA) – My Freedom, My Frontier. Tourism Opportunities Report.
• We are promoting educational partnerships for training and retention of the local labour force.
• Hemp Viability Project – Phase V (Partnership with Mackenzie Applied Research Association)
• Pulse Crops - REDI will be investigating the potential for this food crop in our region (harvesting and processing opportunities).   REDI will be attending export symposiums hosted by PPAA throughout the year.
• REDI will be creating a series of promotional videos in 2021-2022.  These videos will highlight our region’s tourism, industries, and residential centers and will be used as a component of our promotional packages.
• Networking and Advocacy - REDI maintains an active membership in the Alberta Association of Urban Municipalities, the Rural Municipalities of Alberta, the Alberta Economic Developers Association, and the Economic Developers Association of Canada. Currently, REDI participates in REDA Manager and Regional Economic Development meetings coordinated by the Alberta Department of Economic Development; has partnered with PREDA on transportation priorities for the northwest; and attend / invite key stakeholders from the NWT, Fort St. John & Dawson Creek areas to address regional issues such as airport services, rail capacity, industrial workcamps, and cross-border roadways.
• Alternative Uses For Oil & Gas Infrastructure In 2022-2023 REDI will be investigating alternatives such as using the oil well infrastructure for power generation.   Also, opportunities for funding will be investigated under the new Municipal Community Generation Challenge recently announced through the Municipal Climate Change Action Center.  
• Building NWT Relationship - REDI will be attending events in the NWT in 2021 -2022 to identify partnership opportunities across a variety of industries (retail, mining, travel & tourism).  Our first event will entail hosting an evening social in Yellowknife.