Activating Angel Networks
You are invited to a free virtual education session, presented by the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO), about angel investing and the opportunity to mobilize angel capital in Grande Prairie on June 24, 12-1:30PM.
The City of Grande Prairie Economic Development has teamed up with NACO to provide a tailored education session for anyone interested in the world of angel investing – whether you’re a new or experienced angel investor, entrepreneur, or just want to learn more.
National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) provides intelligence, best practices, tools and resources to its 4,000 members to unlock the capital and mentorship that Canadian entrepreneurs need to scale their companies. Since 2012, NACO members have invested over $850 million into more than 1400 companies, creating over 7,700 jobs. Angels are essential for paving the road to venture capital, scale and growth. Visit https://builtbyangels.com/grande-prairie to learn more and register today. |
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Direct flights to Toronto and Vancouver
Last week, Flair Airlines announced the addition of service to Grande Prairie with non-stop service to Toronto and Vancouver, beginning in August.
Service will be twice a week for both non-stop routes. Vancouver flights will begin August 2 with evening flights on Mondays and Fridays. Toronto flights will begin August 4 with afternoon flights on Wednesday and Saturdays.
Flair is offering one-way base fares as low as $39. For more details, check out the Flair Airlines media release here. |
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City seeks small businesses, non-profits for pilot pop-up market
The city is seeking small businesses and not-for-profits to help launch a new outdoor farmers market-style pilot program.
Pop-Up in the Park will be set up along the path between the senior playground and outdoor pool at Muskoseepi Park, with vendors permitted to sell their wares, with the exception of food and alcohol.
You can find more information and the application here. The deadline for businesses and not-for-profits to apply for a permit is set for June 15th.
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Financial Incentives for Local Businesses
Several grants are available from the City of Grande Prairie to support various businesses needs and goals. Visit cityofgp.com/businessgrants for more information.
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The average residential sale price on homes sold in the City in May was $317,195, a 6% increase from May 2020. The year-to-date average sale price this year is $313,081, up 6% from the same period last year. Unit sales were up 151% in May with 138 sales in 2021, compared to 55 in 2020. Year-to-date, unit sales are up 70% with 606 in 2021, compared to 357 in 2020. Compared to 2019, unit sales are up over 9% year-to-date.
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The City saw 15 single-family and 4 multi-family housing starts in May, compared to 4 single-family and 11 multi-family starts for the same period in 2020. Year-to-date, housing starts within the city are up 87.1% with 58 starts in 2021, compared to 31 in 2020.
Regionally, there were 56 single-family and 7 multi-family starts in Q1 2021, compared to 16 single-family and 2 multi-family starts for the same period in 2020.
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56 building permits worth over $8.1 million were issued in May 2021, compared to 55 permits worth over $2.4 million in May 2020, a 2% increase in volume and 238% increase in value. The increase in value is largely attributed to an increase in new home builds and commercial alterations including beautification and patio projects for restaurants and new commercial buildings.
Year-to-date, 287 building permits worth over $39 million in 2021 have been issued compared to 241 permits worth over $17 million for the same period in 2020 - a 19% increase in permit volume and 126% increase in construction value.
Click on the links below for interactive maps showing where development is occurring throughout the city
Commercial l Residential l Industrial l Institutional
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The region's unemployment rate saw a decrease from 9.8% in April to 9.5% in May. Provincially, the unemployment rate decreased from 9.9% to 9.3%.
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276 Drilling Licenses have been issued in the Grande Prairie region so far this year, compared to 152 in 2020, an increase of 82%. Of the licenses issued to date, 85 are for oil, 187 for gas and 4 for other industry-related wells, compared to 50, 95 and 7 respectively for the same period in 2020.
Completions are up 6% year-to-date in 2021, with 256 completions compared to 242 for the same period in 2020.
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380 overdimensional vehicles passed through the city in May 2021, up from the 270 vehicles recorded for May 2020. To date, the city has seen a 18% decrease in overdimensional vehicle traffic compared to 2020.
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May 2021 settled at $85.38/MWh, representing a 224% increase from May 2020’s settle of $26.38/MWh and a 3% decrease from last month’s settle of $87.99/MWh.
May 2021 had eight triple digit daily settles, occurring May 3rd, 5th, 13th-14th, 16th, 20th and 26th and 31st, ranging from a ‘low’ of $103.88/MWh on May 16th to a ‘high’ of $238.66/MWh on May 13th. The month saw 106 hours settle above $100/MWh, with SMP peaking on May 13th HE (hour ending) 20 when it hit $787.09.
For more details, check out TC Energy's Power Market
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Travel
The Grande Prairie Airport saw 4,029 passengers pass through its doors in April 2021, compared to 849 in 2020, a 375% increase.
The average hotel occupancy rate in Grande Prairie was 40.9% for April 2021, while the provincial average was 28.2%. Grande Prairie has the second highest occupancy rate in Alberta, with Fort McMurray leading the province at 49.1% in April.
For additional information on the travel and tourism industry check out the Alberta Tourism Market Monitor. |
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Events
Road to Resiliency – A Virtual Panel
Hosted by: Business Link
Wednesday, June 23 10:30AM-12:00PM
Register here
Canadian Survey on Business Conditions Discussion
Hosted by: Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Friday, June 25 l 1:00PM- 2:00PM ET
Register here
Building Equitable Entrepreneurship Ecosystems in Rural Alberta
Hosted by: Grande Prairie Regional Innovation Network
Monday, June 28 l 12:00PM-2:00PM
Register here
Improve Your Online Presence: Get Funding to Hire a Digital Student
Hosted by: Business Link
Tuesday, June 29 11:00AM-12:00PM
Register here
Getting to Net Zero: Opportunities for SME Business Sector Leadership
Hosted by: Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Wednesday, June 30 l 1:00PM-2:00PM ET
Register here
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Business in Alberta
Hosted by: Business Link
Tuesday, July 6 3:00PM-4:30PM
Register here
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Franchise Opportunities
When available, new franchise opportunities will be shared here.
Mr. Lube
For more information CLICK HERE
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