The new St. Albert Business Centre not only has the professional looks needed to attract business to St. Albert. It also connects economic development with local businesses and takes investors right to the core of the city, says Guy Boston, executive director for economic development.
The centre celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday. The former CIBC bank location at 29 Sir Winston Churchill Ave. is now home to economic development, the office of community sustainability and some public works staff.
“The proximity to downtown is great, to city hall is great and the other benefit of this is because we are part of the downtown, we are now in the DARP area, the Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan,” Boston said.
“When we are dealing with investors who are interested in our downtown it’s great to bring them here as opposed to being up on the highway and saying ‘imagine downtown and let’s go for a drive.’ ”
While most local businesses already know about the centre, Boston said the grand opening provided an opportunity to meet the staff and take a look at the new office.
Economic development previously shared space with the St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce at 71 St. Albert Trail.
City council approved the $150,000 cost of the relocation in 2012 as part of a phased plan to address space needs for city staff. The move took place in early February.
The new building comes with several private offices, bright colours and a boardroom that can accommodate up to 20 people.
Boston said his team works to attract new businesses to St. Albert and to help them with the planning and development process. While there are costs associated with starting a business and getting a business licence, economic development does not charge for consultation services.
“We are an open arms kind of facility,” Boston said.
“If anyone is contemplating setting up a business in St. Albert and they come to us we will help them in every way we can to understand who they do need to go talk to.”
Leah Kongsrude, manager of community sustainability (formerly environment) for St. Albert, said her staff was first located at city hall and then moved in with public works. Due to space problems, they also re-located to the business centre.
Despite the department’s name change, Kongsrude said her staff still looks after environmental concerns, such as monitoring the city’s air and water quality, greenhouse gas emissions and protecting natural areas.
