Economic Development Regina launches Regina’s first Place Brand
Economic Development Regina (EDR) launched the city’s first ‘Place Brand Strategy’ this week. The new brand, Grow Your World Here, is designed to position the city “as a globally competitive and desirable place to call home.”
“Regina has a unique and compelling story to tell the world,” said Mayor Sandra Masters. “Our city is a place where people, businesses, and ideas can grow and thrive. The future of Regina is extremely bright, and the homegrown possibilities are endless.”
The brand and its strategy was developed with consultation with business and community leaders. “Regina’s Place Brand is all about creating an easy, common narrative about our city that we can all speak to,” said Chris Lane, EDR president and CEO. “Across our economy, whether it’s entrepreneurship, investment attraction, tourism or community pride, an authentic, shared story is key to growing our city and our economy.”
EDR will lead the implementation of the brand by engaging with partner organizations and sharing the strategy and creative assets, and develop related marketing campaigns.
SaskPower selects modular reactor for potential deployment
SaskPower has announced this week that the company has chosen the GE-Hitachi BWRX-300 for potential deployment in Saskatchewan in the mid-2030s.
“This is an important milestone as Saskatchewan works towards a cleaner, more sustainable future,” said Don Morgan, Minister responsible for SaskPower. “Today’s announcement further acts on the Saskatchewan Growth Plan goal of advancing potential development of zero-emission small modular reactor technology.”
SaskPower assessed potential reactor options before choosing GE-Hitachi, looking at safety,
technology readiness, generation size, fuel type and expected cost of electricity. The selection follows an independent and comprehensive assessment process that also included close collaboration with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and a review by Calian, an independent engineering firm with extensive experience in Canada’s nuclear industry.
“We are excited that SaskPower has chosen our technology as it looks to SMRs for the generation of carbon-free electricity,” said Jay Wileman, president & CEO, GEH. “We believe the BWRX-300 is an ideal solution for SaskPower and customers that want to make an impact on climate change and energy security in a meaningful timeframe. Decades of design and licensing experience coupled with our proven and existing fuel supply chain position the BWRX-300 as the leading SMR solution.”
Saskatchewan companies see investment from PrairiesCan
June 29 saw PrairiesCan announce investments into 11 Saskatchewan businesses for expansion, operational improvements and job creation.
The projects were funded under the Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) stream of the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program, and the Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF). The total investment is $25,933,033 and is expected to create over 500 jobs, $470 million in revenue growth, and over $290 million in export sales.
The 11 companies receiving funding include:
- Biktrix Enterprises Inc. – $3,500,000
- Northern Nutrients Ltd. – $3,855,620
- SolusGuard and ORA (Kasiel Solutions Inc.) – $252,500
- Northern Quinoa Production Corporation (NorQuin) – $276,480
- MyComply – $948,500
- Mother Labs – $1,799,933
- Canadian Plasma Resources Corporation and Plasma SK Regina Inc. – $500,000
- C-Merak Industries Inc., C-Merak Grain Ltd., C-Merak Foods Ltd., Cas-Per Farms Inc., and King’s Lake Farms Ltd. – $2,000,000
- Coconut Software Corporation – $5,000,000
- Donald’s Fine Foods – $5,000,000
- LyteHorse Labs Inc. – $2,800,000
“To succeed in the new global economy businesses need to commercialize their cutting-edge products and services to accelerate growth and create new markets. When those promising businesses need that extra help to achieve success, our government will be there to help. Saskatchewan’s economy is strong, and the businesses supported today are just a few examples of what makes Saskatchewan a great place to invest, do business, and grow,” said Hon. Daniel Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan.
CN invests $185 million in Saskatchewan
CN announced on June 27 that it will invest $185 million in 2022. This will include investments in technology, capacity, rolling stock units, decarbonization initiatives and network improvements. These investments will power sustainable growth and ensure the continued safe movement of goods in Saskatchewan and everywhere on CN’s transcontinental network.
“We continue to make significant investments in our network, technology, and capacity. We are building the premier railroad of the 21st century to do even more for our customers, railroaders, shareholders, and the communities in which we operate,” said Sean Finn, executive vice-president, corporate services and chief legal officer at CN.
This year, the company will replace 25 miles of rail; install more than 151,000 new railroad ties; rebuild 23 road crossing surfaces; and conduct maintenance work on bridges, culverts, signal systems, and other track infrastructure.
GFI completes work on pea facility
Global Food and Ingredients Ltd. (GFI) announced that it has completed work on its new pea splitting facility at its plant-based ingredient processing complex at Zealandia, Sask. The new facility can process over 60,000 metric tonnes of yellow and green peas into split peas and pea fibre annually.
“Our new pea splitting facility is a cornerstone to GFI’s plant-based ingredients strategy, using leading edge technology to provide top quality split peas to food markets, while also providing inputs for our pet food ingredients business, connecting our business lines and maximizing margins while eliminating waste,” said David Hanna, GFI CEO.
Global Helium increases landholdings in Saskatchewan and Montana
Calgary-based Global Helium Corp. announced on June 27 that it has increased its landholdings in Saskatchewan to 1.7 million acres, an increase of 13 per cent. As well, the company has acquired a third helium property in Montana.
“We continue to advance our strategic priorities and corporate objective of aggressively pursuing the acquisition of proven, helium-rich lands and expanding the Company’s already massive land position. Our ability to continue growing the land base while simultaneously transitioning the company into an operationally focused, helium-producing entity showcases Global’s ability to execute the plan and exceed expectations,” said Jesse Griffith, president of Global.
Sask Polytech opens Hannin Creek Education and Applied Research Centre (HCEARC) encampment
Saskatchewan Polytechnic (Sask Polytech) officially opened its new encampment for land-based education at the Hannin Creek Education and Applied Research Centre (HCEARC) near Candle Lake. The Indigenous Outdoor Learning Centre is an extension of the HCEARC.
The Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC), Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) collaborated on the project, and four tipis were raised on June 15 for the new Indigenous Outdoor Learning Centre.
“The new centre will be called mitho askiy kiskēyihtamowin, which is Cree for good learning through experiences on the land,” said Dr. Larry Rosia, Sask Polytech president and CEO. “This is an exciting collaboration that will focus on land-based learning and will provide cultural awareness training and education about the ways and history of Indigenous people. We are thrilled to have the Prince Albert Grand Council and Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation as partners on this important centre located in northern Saskatchewan.”
and-based learning is the focus of the encampment, designed to encourage students and camp participants to learn from the land, live off the land and live in harmony with the land.
“This is a continued expansion of the original vision that brought Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the SWF together; to grow and encourage education, research, cultural and historical opportunities and advancements,” says SWF president, David Yorke. “This is an exciting collaboration to now have PAGC involved to offer a new dimension to Hannin Creek programming.”
