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Here’s Why Your Business Should Be in Edmonton

Top 10 reasons why you and your business can thrive in Edmonton

  1. Natural resources. The foundation of Edmonton’s economy is its proximity to the Athabasca oil sands, the third-largest oil reserve in the world.
  2. Major investments. Major investments worth $191 billion are planned or under way in northern Alberta.
  3. Diverse economy. Edmonton has the second-most diversified economy of Canada’s largest cities. It is a centre for energy, manufacturing, government, financial services, education, transportation, and much more.
  4. Culture of innovation. Edmonton is a leading centre for research in sustainable resource development, nanotechnology, life sciences and more.
  5. Globally competitive tax environment. We have no provincial sales tax, the lowest overall personal income taxes in Canada, low corporate income taxes, no capital tax, no payroll tax, no machinery tax and no equipment tax.
  6. Workforce. Edmonton’s excellent job opportunities attract a younger, better skilled and more diverse workforce.
  7. Education. With 150,000 full- and part-time students, Edmonton’s nine post-secondary institutions are training the engineers, technologists and trades people that your business will need to grow.
  8. Connections to global markets. We are connected to the North American Free Trade zone and North Asia through a 24/7 international airport, continental highway and rail systems and a rail-sea container route to Asia via Prince Rupert.
  9. Prosperous, growing market. The 1.2 million people in our region enjoy the benefits of one of Canada’s fastest-growing economies and high disposable incomes.
  10. Quality of life. Edmonton, rated in 2011 by the Canadian magazine MoneySense as one of the best cities to live in Canada, offers Canada’s best combination of thriving economy and vibrant quality of life.

Did you also know?

Edmonton is a world-class centre for innovation and research in energy and the environment. Centres of excellence in the region include:

  • University of Alberta Centre for Oil Sands Innovation
  • Alberta Co-operative Conservation Research Institute
  • Canadian School for Energy and the Environment
  • Canadian Centre for Isotopic Microanalysis
  • Centre for Earth and Observation Sciences
  • Climate Change and Emissions Management Corp.
  • Helmholtz Alberta Initiative
  • Nanofab
  • National Institute of Nanontechnology
  • NovaNAIT
  • Oil Sands Tailings Research Facility
  • Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures
  • Alberta Water Research Institute
  • C-FER Technologies 
  • AGAT Laboratories
  • CanmetEnergy Devon Research Centre
  • Schlumberger Global Reservoir Fluids Centre
  • Syncrude Research
  • TRLabs.

Bottom line: our strength is energy and much more

  • Growth & investment
  • Talented workforce 
  • Research & innovation
  • Connected to the world
  • Leading in medicine & focused on health
  • Enrichment through life-long education
  • Committed to keeping it green

Now Let Us Help You Grow Your Business in Edmonton

EEDC has helped companies from around the world establish new businesses in Edmonton. We will be happy to support you with:

  • Business Plan Assistance: We provide your business with regional business data and assist in its interpretation.
  • Regional Business Connections: We bring industry, civic and government leaders to the table to assist with your location process.
  • Real Estate Information: We connect you with real estate resources to assist in the development of detailed plans, industrial land information or impartial real estate surveys.

Learn more:

For more information about growing your business in Edmonton, make your first call to:

Kent McMullin
Director, Business Development
KMcMullin@edmonton.com  
780.917.7645

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