CAEP unveils 'Team Central Alberta' plan after Innisfail meeting with mayors
Regional mayors and reeves met in Innisfail to shape a three-year economic development strategy for Central Alberta.
Why it matters
The strategy could shape how Central Alberta municipalities attract investment and coordinate infrastructure advocacy amid trade and political uncertainty.
The Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP) has launched a new regional branding and advocacy push called Team Central Alberta, following meetings with the region's mayors and reeves in Innisfail. Executive Director Paul Salvatore said municipal leaders identified two priorities: promoting Central Alberta to investors in Canadian and international markets, and advocating with governments for regional projects and infrastructure that boost competitiveness.
Over the next three years, CAEP plans to strengthen its regional investment pitch, improve investor readiness among member communities, and expand government relations and advocacy work. Trochu Mayor Barry Kletke, CAEP's vice-chair, said municipalities from Red Deer to Sundre to Trochu benefit when the region competes successfully for investment, and that CAEP allows them to present a unified story to the market.
Salvatore said CAEP wants to reassert Central Alberta's standing as the province's third-largest economy and is discussing collaboration with Red Deer D.R.I.V.E., the city's economic development agency formed last year. He also pointed to ongoing pressures from the Canada-U.S. trade war and Alberta's separation-related referendum as factors pushing municipalities toward more creative, collaborative solutions.
CAEP, now in its 27th year, said the next step will be delivering measurable results to member communities and stakeholders.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.