Welcome to Clarke Connects. This page will highlight reports, opportunities, and initiatives that our office is focusing on for the upcoming month. The topics our office highlights will align directly into our strategic priorities for the year.
Economic Competitiveness
The first item coming to Executive Committee on June 10 is the refresh of Edmonton’s Economic Development Strategy. Economic development is a core priority for the ward and for Council as a whole. Our office has held off on motions related to this priority until this report is released. To say we are eager to see it is an understatement.
The “donut problem” remains at the core of our economic challenges. While Edmonton is the region’s economic hub, industrial businesses continue relocating to surrounding municipalities like Acheson, Nisku, and Sherwood Park due to lower costs. These municipalities can offer lower tax rates because they serve far fewer residents, while Edmonton carries the cost of services for the workforce that powers those industrial areas.
We need to reverse this trend by making Edmonton a more competitive place to do business, and getting this strategy right is the first step in signaling that we are serious about attracting and retaining investment.
Our office has been exploring the idea of targeted incentives to drive local growth. First, a business expansion credit could support companies looking to scale up locally. This would reinforce that Edmonton values and wants to work with local industry. Second, permit guarantees offer a major opportunity; because, these timelines are within our control, providing this certainty can make a real difference for businesses. Finally, we should consider grant programs to activate vacant industrial and commercial spaces, helping local businesses and revitalizing the areas that need it most.
Edmonton has a unique foundation of local businesses, and we need to ensure our city remains their best option for growth. We need to hit this Economic Strategy out of the park so we can stop losing businesses to Sherwood Park.
Best Sports City in Canada
Edmonton is a sports town. We love our teams, and we love our community. When those two passions collide, special things happen in our city.
On June 29th, the first motion our office passed, the Community Sports Legacy motion, will return to the Community and Public Services Committee. With the Canada Soccer friendly match taking place this month at Commonwealth Stadium (a facility built from the legacy of the 1978 Commonwealth Games), the timing could not be better for this motion to become official policy.
This motion focuses on leveraging sports for social good while attracting premier events to Edmonton through a rigorous, structured hosting process. Large sporting organizations want to give back to the communities they visit, but they often need a clear framework to do so. If Edmonton can provide that structure, it will separate us from the rest.
Partnerships
In our first seven months in office what has become increasingly clear is the need for corporate partnerships. Our City’s financial state is no secret, and we need external help to get our books in a good place.
The great news is that the corporate community wants to help. They just need to be given the chance. Our office has been working hard to build these bridges, teaming up with local businesses to host events and improve our city.
The events we have had the pleasure of hosting in partnership with local companies are:
- Capital City Clean up with Cantiro
- Fresh Nets for Nakota Isga with TELUS
- Capital City Clean up with IG Wealth (June 13th at 10:00 a.m.)
- Summer Kickoff Patio Party with Grindstone theatre and others
- Stay tuned for a special announcement coming soon with Green Shacks!
All of these events demonstrate the incredible willingness and excitement of our corporate community to be part of the solution. It is our responsibility as a City to continue reaching out, building these relationships, and giving local partners the opportunity to help make our city the best it can be!