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City Council proclaims Economic Development Week

AIRDRIE, ALBERTA – Each year, Airdrie City Council recognizes the hard work and contributions made by our Economic Development department as part of the annual Economic Development Week celebration. This year, Council has proclaimed May 9 - 15 as Economic Development Week.

The week was created by the International Economic Development Council in 2016 to recognize the unique role that economic development has in creating vibrant communities with strong economies.

In 2021, Economic Development Week takes on even greater importance as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact businesses and the economy. The work of economic developers is vital to community recovery and resiliency.

Economic Development works in collaboration with other City departments and community organizations including the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce, Bow Valley College, Community Futures Centre West, Rockyview & Wheatland Employment Services and Career Leap, to name a few. Together, we are committed to helping businesses survive the pandemic, and thrive in the future.

Economic Development Week is an opportunity to acknowledge the important role businesses play in fuelling Airdrie’s economy and contributing to our quality of life,” says Team Leader, Economic Development, Sara Chamberlain. “Businesses provide our community with jobs and products and services, and they support our volunteer and non-profit sector. It has been an incredibly challenging year for businesses and its vital that we support them now and into recovery.”

To support businesses through COVID-19, the City of Airdrie Economic Development team has created or supports a variety of initiatives including:

  • Right for Your Business Voucher Program offers Airdrie-based businesses that have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 crisis with up to $2,000 in assistance to hire professionals to help them through the pandemic.
  • Temporary Outdoor Patio and Retail Space Program was launched in April to support local restaurants, breweries and other businesses who have been impacted by Alberta Health Services guidelines.
  • The sign bylaw was relaxed and permit fees waived to allow for far more portable, lawn, and A-frame signs in commercial and industrial districts through to June 30.
  • The Things That Are Open website was relaunched in December 2020 to assist businesses with marketing efforts during restrictions.
  • Last year’s ‘Put Your $ Where Your Heart Is’ support local campaign helped over 300 businesses with their marketing efforts.

Looking to the future, the City of Airdrie is implementing Airdrie’s Economic Strategy: 2018-2028 which outlines our community’s path toward a sustainable economy and the vision of Airdrie’s becoming “The Place to Be.”

For more information on this and the other tools and resources Economic Development can provide to help support the local economy contact the team at economic.development@airdrie.ca or 403.948.8844.

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Media contact:
Sara Chamberlain
Team Leader, Economic Development
403.948.8800 ext. 8738