Calgary city councillors have approved an inter-municipal agreement that paves the way for the massive Prairie Economic Gateway joint development to create a bustling North American inland port.

Councillors approved the framework for an agreement with Rocky View Country at Tuesday’s regular meeting of council to create the Prairie Economic Gateway on the city’s southeastern border.

The Prairie Economic Gateway collaboration between the two municipalities to create an industrial park with direct rail access. The land is in Rocky View County and the City of Calgary will be relied upon for the area’s infrastructure.

Initially, it was to be an annexation of lands by the City of Calgary. That turned into a cooperative effort that reduced tensions built up between the two sides.

“I remember speaking with Reeve (Crystal) Kissel in the early days and saying, ‘If we do an annexation, there’s only one party that’s going to benefit. If we lose the request for annexation, it stays with you, and if we win, then we are shouldering all of the cost on this,” Mayor Jyoti Gondek recalled.

“We came up with this thought that we’d prefer to work together.”

Mayor Gondek said that put wind in the sails of a vision to create the strongest inland port in North America.

“Prairie Economic Gateway is not just a project, it is a promise of prosperity, productivity and opportunity that will transform our region for future generations,” the mayor said.

“When I first championed this initiative, I saw it as a chance to redefine Calgary’s economic landscape. With today’s council vote, we are creating over 30,000 jobs, we are bringing in over $7 billion into our economy, and we are setting the stage for unprecedented growth.”

Reeve Kissel said it was a special day that came about through hard work.

“We’re lucky to be here, two strong partners and then a development group who wants to be here in partnership with us, and we’re very, very grateful for that,” she said.

“So, I look forward to what the region can bring for all of us with this project, and I’m hoping this will be just the beginning of what we can do together looking into the future.

With this approval, an oversight committee will be created, and funding will be sought. Starting next year, study and design, along with land acquisition will be done. Infrastructure and site development is planned for 2027 to 2029, with revenue generation from 2030 into the future.

There was some concern about how the project would move forward after the province cut off funding for the Calgary Metropolitan Regional Board late in 2024.

Regional planning and cooperation is key: Coun. Spencer

Ward 12 Coun. Evan Spencer, who has been a part of shepherding this project forward, said the plan isn’t just about dollars and jobs. He said it’s measured in the ability to create a sustainable and resilient economic environment for Calgary moving forward.

“Calgary’s role as an economic engine is intrinsically tied to regional planning and inter-municipal cooperation,” he said in his open on the motion to approve the recommendations.

“Recent uncertainty in our regional frameworks for collaboration underscores the need for Calgary to remain steadfast in protecting our long-term interests and ensuring that growth in the region aligns with principles of sustainability, smart planning and shared prosperity.”

Ward 10 Coun. Andre Chabot said Calgary’s exercised a uni-city model for decades. He said that this is a timely way to move forward to benefit both municipalities.

“I’ve said this before, the Edmonton region, the capital region, has benefited significantly from economic activity and investment because of their ability to partner and to collaborate together with the surrounding municipalities,” he said.

“This is a first for Calgary.”

Ward 3 Coun. Jasmine Mian, who was on the committee that worked on the plan, supported the concept, however highlighting that it will be competing for critical infrastructure dollars.

“I’m actually not sure that this one would reach the top of my funding list, even though I do think it’s really important,” Mian said.

“That being said… as I’ve come to learn, the strategic challenges that the city is facing on industrial I think we absolutely have to think outside of the box, and so even though it might not supersede something like Game Plan for me or other things that we’re funding, I think, as a leader, it’s important to me that I support things that are innovative and that are collaborative, and that ultimately, when other people put in hard work towards something, I’m not going to stand in the way of that.”

The City of Calgary estimates $475 million in cumulative tax revenue will be collected over 35 years in a revenue-sharing agreement to be ironed out with the County.  

The land will be governed by an Area Structure Plan outlining how the properties will be used.

• with files from Aryn Toombs