Alberta Jobs Plan supports growth in value-added agri-food industry, economic diversification
The government is investing to expand its food-processing and business-development facility that helps create products and supports new business ventures and create job opportunities.
“Alberta’s primary agricultural producers grow some of the highest-quality products in the world and our food-processing industry has tremendous potential for growth, complementing our thriving agriculture industry. That’s why we are investing in this expansion, to help our industry grow and to diversify our provincial economy by creating new value-added products for sale in Alberta, across the country and around the world.” Oneil Carlier, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry
“Our agri-food entrepreneurs employ tens of thousands of Alberta workers and every year the Food Processing Development Centre helps as many as 100 new and existing businesses grow and succeed. Expanding this facility means more jobs and a more diversified economy that builds on our strengths. This is the Alberta Jobs Plan in action.” Deron Bilous, Minister of Economic Development and Trade
The $10-million capital investment will increase the capacity at Agriculture and Forestry’s Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator and Food Processing Development Centre in Leduc by adding 2,350 square metres of business incubation and development space. The Centre is a modern, fully equipped product development facility that provides equipment and services to help new and established companies develop their products, test their business plans and grow their business.
“The food-processing centre in Leduc has supported our company in its development and helped create the climate for our success. We have now built a new 3,250 square metre facility in Edmonton, employ 47 people and ship our Alberta-grown and made products across Canada and recently listed with a major retailer in Japan.”
Qiang Lin, President, Siwin Foods
Alberta’s food and beverage industries form the province’s second-largest manufacturing sector, employing approximately 25,500 people with sales of more than $13 billion.