The head of Alberta Hub told MD of Bonnyville council that provincial funding for regional economic development alliances will end next year, while also pitching the value of continued regional collaboration on investment, aerospace and drone development.
Bob Bezpalko presented to council on behalf of the Northeast Alberta Information Hub, known as Alberta Hub, describing the organization as a regional alliance made up of municipalities, First Nations and Métis settlements working together to attract investment and support business growth.
Bezpalko said the alliance is currently one of nine regional economic development groups in Alberta, but the province is withdrawing support.
“As of March 31st, 2027, the government of Alberta will cease to provide any type of funding,” he told council.
He said the organization recently increased its per-capita member contribution to $1, and thanked the MD of Bonnyville for supporting the change.
Beyond the funding issue, Bezpalko used the presentation to highlight growing economic opportunities in the region, especially around CFB Cold Lake, aerospace, defence, drone technology, agriculture and tourism.
He said the region is seeing increased interest tied to the F-35 program, supply chain opportunities and the need for better air service into the Cold Lake and Bonnyville area.
“Air service is critical moving forward,” he said.
Bezpalko also spoke at length about Alberta Hub’s work on drone corridors and beyond-visual-line-of-sight testing, saying energy companies are interested in using drones to move freight to remote sites and reduce truck traffic.
At the same time, he warned council that rural Alberta still faces major barriers to growth, including broadband gaps, power costs, access to capital and transportation concerns.
He was especially critical of the province’s transportation priorities, saying rural highways such as Highway 28 deserve more attention because of the type of traffic and commodities they carry.
“I think the government right now is very negligent on not understanding what is happening in rural specifically and how these regions are changing,” Bezpalko said.
Council accepted the presentation for information.
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Alberta Hub warns provincial funding for regional economic alliances will end in 2027
The head of Alberta Hub told MD of Bonnyville council that provincial funding for regional economic development alliances will end next year, while also pitching the value of continued regional collaboration on investment, aerospace and drone development.
Bob Bezpalko presented to council on behalf of the Northeast Alberta Information Hub, known as Alberta Hub, describing the organization as a regional alliance made up of municipalities, First Nations and Métis settlements working together to attract investment and support business growth.
Bezpalko said the alliance is currently one of nine regional economic development groups in Alberta, but the province is withdrawing support.
“As of March 31st, 2027, the government of Alberta will cease to provide any type of funding,” he told council.
He said the organization recently increased its per-capita member contribution to $1, and thanked the MD of Bonnyville for supporting the change.
Beyond the funding issue, Bezpalko used the presentation to highlight growing economic opportunities in the region, especially around CFB Cold Lake, aerospace, defence, drone technology, agriculture and tourism.
He said the region is seeing increased interest tied to the F-35 program, supply chain opportunities and the need for better air service into the Cold Lake and Bonnyville area.
“Air service is critical moving forward,” he said.
Bezpalko also spoke at length about Alberta Hub’s work on drone corridors and beyond-visual-line-of-sight testing, saying energy companies are interested in using drones to move freight to remote sites and reduce truck traffic.
At the same time, he warned council that rural Alberta still faces major barriers to growth, including broadband gaps, power costs, access to capital and transportation concerns.
He was especially critical of the province’s transportation priorities, saying rural highways such as Highway 28 deserve more attention because of the type of traffic and commodities they carry.
“I think the government right now is very negligent on not understanding what is happening in rural specifically and how these regions are changing,” Bezpalko said.
Council accepted the presentation for information.
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