September 10, 2015 – For immediate release
Chestermere, AB – Alberta’s newest City is excited to announce that it has taken another step forward in sustainability – land ownership. With the purchase of 101 acres only minutes from the TransCanada Highway, Calgary International Airport, and CN Logistics Park, the City of Chestermere has entered into land development for the first time and is open for your business.
“We are excited to take the step of becoming a City in January. We’ve received many calls about areas for development since then and we’re thrilled to offer this opportunity for more businesses to call Chestermere home,” said Chestermere Mayor Patricia Matthews.
Having experienced extraordinary population growth for many years, Alberta’s newest City is now seeking to attract light industrial and commercial enterprises to expand and diversify the City’s non-residential sectors.
“Having strong diversity of non-residential development is essential to the health and sustainability of a community,” said Chestermere’s Economic Development Manager, Jean-Marc Lacasse.
Lacasse explained that Chestermere’s developers have no current or future plans to create these types of spaces, so when an opportunity arose to purchase developable land for under market value, the City decided to take control of its future by pursuing its own development.
“We have already been experiencing significant interest from major enterprises looking to find a new location,” said Lacasse. “With the ability to develop this land ourselves, we will now be able to offer space for companies looking to find a great home on Calgary’s eastern border.”
Located in the south east part of the City, this development in Chestermere offers excellent transportation access, no business licence tax, an available workforce, competitive tax rates and a stunning community in which to work, live, and play.
Having already completed feasibility assessments of the land, the City will begin the regular development approval process with an Area Structure Plan to be completed soon. The City will require all applicants to submit high design standards to ensure that the development fits into the City’s high quality atmosphere.
The City is seeking to begin selling parcels in the next 1-2 years but is eager to speak with interested investors now.
“Chestermere has so much to offer businesses looking to expand,” stated Lacasse. “We hope that many new light industrial and commercial businesses will consider Alberta’s Oasis and come grow with us. Not only is life better at the lake, but we believe business will be better too.”
Background
The Land
• The land is located in the south east portion of Chestermere.
• This development in Chestermere will offer excellent access to the TransCanada Highway, Calgary International Airport, and the CN Logistics Park, in addition to no business licence tax, an available workforce, competitive tax rates and a stunning community in which to work, live, and play.
• The land will be developed for 1-5 acre lots for light industrial and commercial businesses.
• Types of businesses the City is seeking includes professional and technical services (e.g. engineering firms, mechanics), distribution and logistics (e.g. warehouses, third party logistics), research and development, and manufacturing (e.g. small scale indoor production and fabrication).
• This development will not include ‘smoke stacks’ or outdoor industrial storage areas.
• There will be very high standards and architectural controls for this area to ensure it is visually appealing and fits into the character of the City.
• Over the next two years, the City will pursue the regular development process starting with an Area Structure Plan.
• The City anticipates that it will be selling lots in the next 1-2 years.
• The City estimates that full development of this area will take 5-10 years.
• Chestermere’s Economic Development staff are currently speaking with interested investors and can be reached at (403) 207-7093.
The Decision
• The City of Chestermere has purchased 101 acres of land.
• This is the only piece of developable land the City owns and any return on investment will contribute to the costs of amenities and services for residents.
• There are currently no light industrial areas available for investors/companies in Chestermere.
• No developers have any current or future plans to add light industrial areas
