Why Invest in Grande Prairie?
Grande Prairie is a youthful, fast growing community.
Home to a skilled workforce, a diversified economy, and proudly holding the status as the Most Entrepreneurial Community in Canada for three consecutive years.
It’s an ideal place to start or grow your business.
Strategic location
Located on the CANAMEX trade route, Grande Prairie is situated in the heart of two major oil & gas resource plays, the Montney and Duvernay.
The City has easy access to markets and major ports by highway (Hwy 43, 40, 2), rail, and air, providing an ideal location with an enviable mix of accessibility.
Cost savings
Grande Prairie has lower costs compared to larger urban centers.
Our proximity to natural resources and easy access to major markets amplify cost savings for those who do business here. Other cost savings include:
- No Business License fee for most business types
- No sales tax
- Lowest provincial corporate tax rate in Canada (8% General Corporate Tax Rate and 2% Small Business Rate)
- Competitive real estate
Young, accessible workforce
We are one of the youngest and fastest growing populations in Canada.
With a median age of 31.9, Grande Prairie has a readily available workforce with varied skill sets thanks to the diverse economy. From sales and marketing, to skilled trades and engineering, Grande Prairie boasts a labour force of nearly 40,000.
For growing companies, upskilling and training of staff is possible through many programs and continuing education courses at Grande Prairie Regional College.
Diverse economy
Grande Prairie has been steadily expanding and diversifying from its agricultural roots grown in the 1900s.
The City is surrounded by an abundance of natural resources, leading to forestry and oil and gas becoming integral pillars of the economy.
A wealth of natural gas adds to Grande Prairie’s stable economy relative to the rest of Alberta – particularly during times of decline in the oil sector.
As the largest city north of Edmonton, Grande Prairie has a strong retail and service industry that brings goods to a regional trade population of nearly 300,000 – visiting the City from as far as the Northwest Territories.
Vibrant community
From big city amenities, to some of the most untouched and beautiful natural surroundings in Alberta, Grande Prairie offers unparalleled opportunities for recreation contributing to its elevated quality of life.
Coupled with affordable housing and reputation for career opportunities, Grande Prairie continues to be an attractive place to live and call home.
Grande Prairie is home to a youthful population that doubled in the last two decades to 68,088, the community offers amenities, activities and events that cater to all ages.
Streamlined support
Dedicated to continually improving services and streamlining processes to ensure ease in working with the City, no matter when or where you connect with the City of Grande Prairie.
Population
Live here Work here Invest here
Grande Prairie is the youngest city in Canada and one of the fastest growing in North America. With more Grande Prairie residents preparing for kindergarten than getting set for retirement, the median age of our community of 68,556 is a youthful 30.3. Grande Prairie is a place to do business. With a spirit for innovation and entrepreneurship, we can tell you with confidence that Grande Prairie is a great place to invest, raise a family, and realize your dreams.
History of Grande Prairie
Birth of the Swan City
Soon after the City of Grande Prairie received it’s charter in 1958, it was declared the “Home of the Trumpeter Swan”. In 1926, a visiting representative of the Canadian Wildlife Service discovered that the swans were nesting in the Grande Prairie area.
Since then, a combination of protective legislation, good wildlife management and co-operation between Canada and the United States has rescued the swan from the endangered list.
The Original City Hall
The original City Hall was shared between the City’s Welfare Officer and the Peace Region Planning Commission. Council consisted of a mayor elected for a two-year term and six alderman. The building was destroyed by fire in February 1961 and soon replaced by a newer facility on June 6, 1962.
The Daily Newspaper
The Daily-Herald Tribune began production on April 6, 1964. It had been formerly known as the Grande Prairie Herald since 1913. The Herald amalgamated with it’s rival, the Northern Tribune after a fire in 1939 to create the Grande Prairie Herald-Tribune.
Hub of the Peace
Since gaining the status of cityhood, Grande Prairie had been steadily developing as the major service centre in the Peace River country.
For over 15 years its economy had grown at twice the national average and the population had more than doubled between 1958 and 1975.
Discovery of the Elmworth Deep Basin Gas Field
When the discovery of the Elmworth Deep Basin Gas Field was announced in late 1977, Grande Prairie’s already strong economy accelerated to “boom” status. Rents skyrocketed and a housing crisis fell upon the city in the fall of 1979. Construction increased dramatically as well as housing costs. The “boom” status lasted for about 5 years before the crash in 1981.
A second boom in 2006 – 2007 attracted thousands of new residents to Grande Prairie in a very short period of time. The City moved quickly to adapt and mitigate issues presented by sudden rapid growth.
Moving Forward
Since then, Grande Prairie has experienced steady growth and strives to be a leader in innovation and resourcefulness. Major Initiatives such as the Community Knowledge Campus and the Eastlink Centre are shining examples of the City’s ongoing dedication to leading the way into the future.
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