Central Alberta Economic Partnership to dissolve after 28 years
The regional economic development agency's board voted this week to wind down operations, citing funding cuts and budget pressures across member municipalities.
Why it matters
Smaller Central Alberta communities that relied on CAEP for economic development support may now lack the resources to fill that role themselves.
The Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP) has told its members it is shutting down after 28 years, with the board of directors passing a dissolution motion this week. In a letter dated Oct. 27, Chairperson and Innisfail Mayor Jean Barclay said dissolution is expected to be completed within 60 days.
Barclay said the decision stems from changing provincial funding. CAEP was set to receive $125,000 this year, with only 50 per cent allowed toward operations, down from 75 per cent last year and zero next year. Raising the per-capita membership rate, currently 90 cents, to compensate met strong pushback from the board, leaving no viable path forward.
Barclay said CAEP was not redundant despite newer groups like Central Alberta First and Red Deer D.R.I.V.E., noting it served as the de facto economic development office for smaller communities such as Trochu and Beiseker, which may now struggle to fill that gap.
The organization's Fall General Meeting and all other events are cancelled, with registration fees to be refunded. Barclay expressed disappointment that initiatives such as a new Team Central Alberta strategy, a free economic data dashboard for members, and a recently completed Howse Pass feasibility study can no longer move forward.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.