COLD LAKE –A Cold Lake First Nations-owned energy company and a new aviation training facility at the Cold Lake Regional Airport are receiving a combined .6 million in federal investment, targeting two industries that have shaped the region for generations.

The funding, announced Wednesday through Prairies Economic Development Canada, includes a $ 6 million repayable investment in Etthen Energy Corporation, wholly owned by Cold Lake First Nations, and $600,000 for the City of Cold Lake to renovate and upgrade an aircraft hangar for aviation maintenance training.

Matt Jeneroux, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Riverbend, announced the funding on behalf of Eleanor Olszewski, Minister responsible for PrairiesCan.

$6 million for Cold Lake First Nations-owned Etthen Energy

The largest portion will help Etthen Energy Corporation expand heavy oil development beneath Cold Lake First Nations reserve lands.

The repayable funding will support well site and facility construction along with engineering and completion work required to advance production.

For Cold Lake First Nations, Chief Kelsey Jacko said the significance goes beyond increasing oil production. It’s about moving the Nation into a greater ownership role in developing its own resources.

“For too long, our Nation has participated in resource development largely from the sidelines; Etthen is changing that by placing CLFN in a leading role and giving our Nation greater control over how its resources are developed,” Jacko said.

“Access to capital is critical to advancing that vision and creating long-term economic benefits for our community.”

The federal government says the expansion is expected to generate long-term revenues that can be reinvested in Cold Lake First Nations while increasing Indigenous ownership and participation in the energy industry.

$ 600,000 builds aviation training capacity in Cold Lake

The other $ 600,000 is going to the City of Cold Lake to support renovations and upgrades to an aircraft hangar at the Cold Lake Regional Airport.

The hangar will become a training facility for an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering – Structures program, creating additional space and equipment to train people for careers in aviation maintenance.

The investment comes as the region looks to build a skilled workforce around one of Cold Lake’s greatest strengths: aviation.

Cold Lake is home to 4 Wing Cold Lake, and the federal government says growing local aviation training capacity can help meet increasing workforce demands within Canada’s aerospace and defence industries.

“This investment from PrairiesCan is a strong vote of confidence in Cold Lake and in the important role our community will play in the future of Canada’s aviation and aerospace industry,” Mayor Bob Mattice said.

“As the proud home of 4 Wing Cold Lake, aviation is an integral part of our community’s history. This project builds on that foundation, and through strong partnerships, will help develop the skilled workforce our region and Canada’s aviation industry need to thrive well into the future.”

The new training facility also builds on the launch of Portage College’s Aircraft Structures Technician program in Cold Lake.

The 10-month program begins this fall and has received Transport Canada approval, making Portage one of only 21 post-secondary institutions in Canada offering Transport Canada-approved aircraft maintenance programming and one of only two Alberta aerospace programs with that approval.

Building on Cold Lake’s two biggest industries

Cold Lake’s connection to both industries stretches back decades.

The region became home to a Royal Canadian Air Force flying station in the 1950s and subsequently developed into one of Canada’s major military aviation centres.

At the same time, the Cold Lake area became an important part of Alberta’s energy industry, including the development of in situ technology used to recover deep oil sands resources.

Jeneroux said those existing strengths put both Cold Lake and Cold Lake First Nations in a position to benefit from future Canadian investments in energy, aviation and defence.

“The City of Cold Lake and Cold Lake First Nations are well positioned to help meet some of Canada’s most pressing economic and sovereignty needs,” Jeneroux said.

The federal government is positioning Wednesday’s investments as part of a broader effort to strengthen Canada’s domestic economy, defence capabilities and skilled workforce.

For the Cold Lake region, though, the $6.6 million lands much closer to home: supporting Indigenous ownership of local energy resources on one side and training the next generation of aviation workers on the other.