FMWBEDT Newsletter - February 2025

Momentum to start the year!

I would like to start by welcoming RMWB Interim CAO and now FMWBEDT Board member, Jody Butz. This is his second time filling the Interim CAO position with the RMWB, and he has proven to be an incredible leader in our community on countless occasions. The FMWBEDT team is looking forward to working with Jody and the experience he brings.

Be sure to check out our Economic Dashboard this month. One highlight is that there was a 15% boost in total residential home sales in 2024, and 2025 is off to a big start with a 40% increase in year-over-year residential home sales in January. Our Economic Dashboard is updated for February – check it out below."

- Lisa Sweet, Interim CEO,
Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development & Tourism

FMWB Economic Dashboard - February 2025

“It’s time to start building homes again. There is so much data that points to a strengthening local economy – new residents, increased home sales, businesses opening, and exciting investments. We’ve heard from real estate agents that demand is there for new homes. Now is the time to get permits and plans ready for 2025 construction." - Lisa Sweet, Interim CEO

View Full Dashboard

MFMWB Economic Corridor - Highway development

Government of Alberta Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, Devin Dreeshen was in FMWB this week. We spoke briefly as part of a discussion with leaders in FMWB Wednesday night hosted by Robbie Picard Media and Board Member Doug Golosky’s Golosky Services. Minister Dreeshen listened to community perspectives and provided valuable updates on transportation routes important to our region.

Our team continued discussion at our offices on Thursday on Highway 686 expansion to Grand Prairie, Highway 956 development to La Loche, and improvements to highways across the region.

We know the value these developments will bring to the residents and businesses of FMWB. Our goal is to continue to work with the Province to create opportunities for economic growth and prosperity.

Migration at the forefront of FMWBEDT goals

Localization is a major focus for our teams this year. Brand and Marketing met with the FMCA, developers, realtors, and members of BILD Wood Buffalo to determine what each group needs in order to grow the number of new home starts in 2025. Having a presence aligned with FMCA will allow us to better connect with other stakeholders that share this goal, while gaining information that helps us achieve it. Big thanks to BILD Wood Buffalo President Steve Auty for bringing everyone together. BILD Wood Buffalo

Strong Business to Consumer (B2C) Connection Program participation rate

Our Business to Consumer (B2C) Connection Program offers tailored workshops, strategic guidance, and exclusive trade show and conference access designed to optimize the scale-up journey for local businesses. We provide complimentary booths for each of the 5 selected participants at the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce Trade Show & Artisan Market. 17 businesses have applied and we'll selecting 5 businesses to participate in the program. It is important for FMWBEDT to develop programming that not only strengthens local business but integrates key local organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce. Learn More About This Program

National FMWB Tourism PSA is scheduled for Feb 24 - May 4

Broadcast in Canada has a mandate that a small percentage of airtime be allotted to Public Service Announcements (PSAs). You might recognize these in the form of Canadian heritage moments, the Canadian house hippo campaign, or numerous Health Canada commercials including the famous “What’s Your Thing?”. Because of the mandate, these commercials are extremely low cost with potential to reach 200,000 TVs/week across Canada. Ours will be airing from Feb 24 – May 4 (10 weeks). Our goal with this is to showcase the incredible outdoor tourism experiences we have and how accessible they are from our thriving city of Fort McMurray.

Industrial Investment Attraction Plan

Our Industrial Investment Attraction Plan identified key marketing materials needed to support its rollout. New landing pages, PowerPoints, and brochures have been developed to help stakeholders like Invest Alberta and Invest Canada market our region, and for one-on-one presentations by our team to investors. The plan identifies the most viable targets for our region's industrial growth and identifies activities to attract these industries. In partnership with RMWB, FMWBEDT finalized the report ‘Economic Diversification Opportunities in the RMWB’ in 2023. The report offered a detailed evaluation of the regional industrial landscape. Ten industries with high potential were identified and became the foundation for this Industrial Investment Attraction Plan, which was finalized in late 2024. They’ll be very useful for next week’s meeting with the Minister of Technology and Innovation of Alberta’s concierge team.

Sport Tourism in Partnership with Wood Buffalo Sport Connection

Mark your calendars for these awesome sporting competitions coming to FMWB in the next few months

VEX Robotics Provincials 
February 21 and 22 at Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre
Event Contact: holly.kalma@fmcsd.ab.ca

ASAA 3A Boys Basketball Provincials
March 20 - 22 at Holy Trinity High School
Link to volunteer

U14A and U19B Ringette Provincials
March 20 - 23 at MacDonald Island and Centerfire Place
Event contact: fmra.trevor.wakeling@gmail.com

Men's and Women's Provincial Artistic Gymnastics
April 9 - 13 at MacDonald Island Park

Keyano Huskies Composite Schedule

Oil Barons Game Schedule

Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce 2025 Job Fair 

"Are you looking to grow your team with top local talent? The 2025 Fort McMurray Spring Job Fair is your opportunity to connect with hundreds of motivated job seekers ready to work!"

This Job Fair is taking place Tuesday, March 25 from 11:30am - 7:00pm at Shell Place Grand Ballroom.

The Fall 2024 Job Fair was a massive success, with nearly 1,500 qualified candidates walking through the doors. Businesses that attended were able to fill key positions quickly and build a pipeline of future hires and now it’s your turn! Register and Learn More Here

Indigenous Tourism Alberta shares current initiatives and future forecasting

Indigenous Tourism Alberta, Travel Alberta, and Alberta Museum Association shared successful case studies of communities that have created sustainable Indigenous tourism experiences, available programming that we can share to operators in-region, potential grants, and overarching strategies with aims of increasing visibility and sustainability of Indigenous tourism operators.

Pitching FMWB as a Data Center site solution

Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo has shovel-ready sites for data center projects. High quality connectivity paired with cool-climate savings and reliable energy are a smart investment. The challenges faced by other locations are avoided in FMWB. Hotter climates, rising land prices, spiking electricity costs, site security, and other issues are pushing site selectors to identify stronger locations. Learn More