Sturgeon County Mayor Don Rigney says after spending the economic downturn catching up and getting its house in order, the county is ready for the recovery he sees on the horizon.
The Morinville Rendevous Centre was packed for Rigney’s business breakfast and state of the county address last week.
Land developers, elected officials from across the region and several representatives from companies involved with proposed upgrader projects all came out to hear Rigney, who said Sturgeon is ready for significant growth in 2010.
The mayor opened by highlighting some of the major challenges the county faced last year. He noted the work of local firefighters, who responded to 798 calls, on top of the devastating 1,200-hectare wildfire that blazed in Sturgeon last spring.
He also referenced last summer’s drought that hit area farmers. Despite the dry conditions Rigney said Sturgeon farmers deserve applause for being so innovative and creating jobs in the county.
“Our farmers and ranchers not only produce the food and seed oils that we use every day, they are taking that one step further and adding value to those raw materials.”
Rigney said Sturgeon spent the downturn refocusing and recovering from the explosive growth the municipality experienced in the preceding years.
“Our county’s programs and services were not severely impacted by the economic downturn and in fact, it allowed us all to take a deep breath.”
He said there were several areas where the county will do well in the upcoming year, adding they now have staff in place who are keen to move Sturgeon forward.
“It saw significant change in our staff and also a change in attitude from overwhelming pessimism to optimism.”
Villeneuve Airport should significantly benefit from the closure of the Municipal Airport in Edmonton, Rigney said.
He said he was already working with several regional mayors who believe the airport will grow significantly.
“It is one of only three aerodromes in the region with a Nav Canada tower — the other being the muni, which is shutting down, and [Edmonton] international.”
Despite some of his concerns about the Capital Region Board, Rigney says the plan should still allow the county to grow.
“We have had some success in making sure that in areas of the valley there will be some housing growth and continued opportunities.”
The mayor agreed it is important for municipalities to work together, but also emphasized each has to be strong.
“Choice has provided us with much of the wealth and prosperity we enjoy today.”
Rigney also highlighted the increase in multi-lot subdivision activity that started sprouting in the county in the last half of 2009 as a good sign things were ready to take off again.
On the upgrader front, Rigney said there are signs that mining activity in the oilsands is improving, which will trickle down to Sturgeon.
“It can come as no surprise to anyone that the increasing pressure to develop the Alberta oilsands is good news for Sturgeon County.”
Rigney applauded North West upgrading for their proposed plant.
The company is waiting to hear from the Alberta government on their proposal to upgrade the province’s royalty barrels and Rigney said the county would stand fully behind the company.
“Sturgeon County council is poised to lobby heavily on their behalf to make sure the province lives up to their commitments and promises to build upgraders in the heartland.”
