Business Retention and Expansion Strategy
Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development and Tourism (FMWBEDT) is launching a Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Strategy supported by a structured business visitation program.
About the initiative
The purpose of this initiative is to strengthen the regional economy by actively engaging with local businesses, understanding their needs, and responding with targeted, practical solutions.
The BRE Strategy focuses on direct engagement with existing businesses, recognizing that local employers are the foundation of the regional economy. Through oneonone business visits and structured feedback collection, FMWBEDT will gather timely, realworld insights into the challenges, opportunities, and priorities facing businesses across sectors.
This engagement will provide businesses with a direct voice in shaping economic development initiatives and ensure that future programs and advocacy efforts are informed by lived business experience rather than assumptions.
Key Areas of Feedback
Business input will help identify and address issues that matter most to the local business community, including:
- Navigating municipal bylaws, permitting, and services
- Access to labour, workforce attraction, and training programs
- Availability of affordable and appropriate commercial and industrial lease space
- Operational challenges impacting growth, investment, and retention
Anticipated Outcomes
The BRE Strategy and business visitation program will deliver several important outcomes for the region:
Stronger understanding of business needs
FMWBEDT will gain actionable, uptodate insight into business conditions, barriers, and opportunities.
More responsive economic development initiatives
Business feedback will guide program design, service improvements, and advocacy priorities.
Improved coordination and referrals:
Businesses will be better connected to municipal departments, workforce partners, and support organizations.
Enhanced business retention and expansion
Early identification of challenges will enable proactive support for businesses at risk or considering growth.
Datadriven decision making
Aggregated findings will support strategic planning, performance measurement, and funding applications.
Longterm economic resilience
Supporting existing businesses helps stabilize employment, encourage reinvestment, and strengthen regional competitiveness.
Long-Term Impact
By prioritizing retention and expansion, the BRE Strategy reinforces a collaborative, businessfriendly environment in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo. The program builds trust, improves communication, and ensures economic development efforts are aligned with the needs of the businesses that drive local employment and investment.
Your support for this project will help businesses by giving them an opportunity to explain their needs and challenges, and to better understand what supports might be available to help them succeed.
When you know how to talk about this project, you’re affecting positive change for business owners across the region.
- Local businesses are the backbone of the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo economy.
- Retaining existing businesses and supporting their growth is just as important as attracting new investment.
- This strategy ensures economic development efforts are informed by real, on-the-ground business experiences across the entire region.
What the Strategy Is
- A region-wide Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Strategy designed to:
- Understand current business challenges and opportunities
- Identify gaps in supports and services
- Inform future programs, policies, and pilot initiatives
- The Strategy is a priority for FMWBEDT.
- This is more than just another strategy; it will be the guide for how FMWBEDT and other groups can support business in the region.
Who It’s For
The BRE Strategy is inclusive and sector-wide, engaging businesses across:
- Oil sands contractors and supply chain companies
- Indigenous-owned businesses (community-owned and private)
- Commercial, retail, professional services, food, accommodation, tourism, and other sectors
- Entrepreneurs, small businesses, and under-represented business owner
How Businesses Will Be Engaged
FMWBEDT along with Nichols Applied Management, will engage businesses through:
- One-on-one interviews
- Group discussions
- An online business survey
- In-person engagement sessions held across the region
This approach ensures voices from urban, rural, and Indigenous communities are included.
How this supports the region
- Strengthens relationships with local businesses
- Builds a clearer understanding of the local business climate
- Supports both business retention and future investment attraction
- Demonstrates that FMWBEDT is proactive, responsive, and engaged with the business community
Project Timeline (High-Level)
January–February
Initial interviews
Late February–March
Business survey and interviews
April
Follow-up interviews and regional engagement sessions
June
Findings presented to Board and community through presentations and town halls