The City of Calgary and Rocky View County have approved the Prairie Economic Gateway Agreement, which is expected to bring $7 billion in economic growth.
The agreement was approved on Tuesday, Feb. 18, and will enable greater trade and access to global markets through a proposed inland port.
“Three years ago, I envisioned a bold new future for Calgary, where our city could be home to the strongest inland port in North America,” said Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek. “Today, I am proud to say we are turning that vision into reality.”
According to the county, the agreement will also create more than 30,000 jobs over the next 10 to 12 years.
"Recognizing that Calgary is Canada’s fastest-growing metropolitan area and will need more than 110,000 new jobs in the next five years, the Prairie Economic Gateway highlights the critical importance of investing in essential infrastructure."
The approval now gives the two groups the ability to secure funding from the government and private sector partners. Efforts will now shift to investment attraction, infrastructure planning, and land-use alignment.
The inland port is proposed to be built between Range Road 284 and Range Road 282, just south of Glenmore Trail.