The Economic Development Office works to stimulate the economy, expand employment opportunities, encourage the establishment and growth of commerce and industry and otherwise enhance the economic development of the Prince Albert community. The department can assist your business by providing information that can help with business planning. You will find many useful tools on our website. The community profile will provide you with demographic and community information, the market analysis will give you an idea of the city's retail market and the business start-up guide will provide you with the information you require to start a business in Prince Albert. For further assistance contact the Economic Development Office.

 

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Prince Albert Ranked 13th out of 112 Cities
As Reported in KPMG's 2010 Competitive Alternatives Study

KPMG released its 2010 Competitive Alternatives Study on March 30, 2010 which ranked Prince Albert 13 out of 112 cities internationally. The study was based on information collected in a six-month period ending in mid-2009 and measures the combined impact of 26 significang business cost components that are most likely to vary by location. (Prince Albert's statistics can be found in the International Report.)

Prince Albert in top ten of Canada’s Top Entrepreneurial Cities
As Reported in CFIB Survey of Canadian Cities 2009

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) surveyed Canadian cities measuring core statistics such as business start-ups and self-employment as well as direct measures of business climate such as the perspective of business owners on ability to generate business and views on local governance in rating the effectiveness of public policy on business.  The CFIB evaluates cities across the country on three key measures:

• Policy, which encompasses tax and regulatory policies;
• presence, which reflects the concentration of entrepreneurs and business startups; and
• perspective, which gauges the optimism and success of actual small business owners.

The report also outlines 12 indicators in assessing cities entrepreneurial ranking.

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Community Profile
The City of Prince Albert Community Profile and Business Guide is intended to be primarily a business attraction and retention tool and contains standard International Economic Development Council site selection data as well as a full variety of information, including historical, social, recreational and cultural information to more fully represent the city of Prince Albert.

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Pursuing Regional Economies through Prince Albert Region Engagement (PREPARE)
PREPARE is an inter-agency economic development working group that evolved from the desire of its members to more effectively deliver on their economic development visions and mandates.

Important initiatives to date include a labour market strategy, a business retention and expansion, a business incubator project and a competitive advantage analysis for the North Central Enterprise Region. Other studies, including an investment attraction strategy, are ongoing and will be included on this web page at a later date.

Some of the major organizations involved on a regular basis include:

• Saskatchewan Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
• Enterprise Saskatchewan
• The City of Prince Albert
• Prince Albert and District Community Futures
• Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce
• Prince Albert and District Tourism
• Prince Albert Grand Council
• Prince Albert Downtown Improvement District Association
• Riverbank Development Corporation
• North Central Enterprise Region

The following reports have been prepared for this group:

North Central Labour Market Strategy (PDF)
This document contains labour statistics by industry, demographis, age and education and provides several strategies to deal with the impending labour shortage in the North Central Enterprise Region.

Prince Albert Regional Business Retention and Expansion Results Report (PDF)
Business Retention and Expansion is an economic development approach that recognizes the importance of existing businesses in a region.

North Central Saskatchewan Business Retention and Expansion Program "Moving Forward" Report (PDF)
This report takes the findings of the business retention and expansion report and identifies strategic priorities to be addressed.

Competitive Advantage Analysis for the North Central Enterprise Region (PDF)
This report examines past trends with a view to comparing the performance of various industry sectors.

North Central Enterprise Region Census Profile: November 2009 (PDF)
This document provides a variety of statistics regarding the population of the region.

Prince Albert Region Business Retention and Expansion Program "Prepared for Growth" Report (PDF)
This document identifies next steps for moving forward in the Prince Albert Region.

North Central Enterprise Region Branding Report (PDF)
This report is the first stage in brand development, including a visual identity and marketing strategy.

Prince Albert Economic Development Landing Page (external website)
A directory of all Economic Development Associations within the City of Prince Albert and their role in the City.

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Economic Development Reports

The Economic Development and Planning Department is responsible for developing or commissioning critical reports, studies and documents for the City of Prince Albert.  The following reports, studies and documents will be of interest to those individuals looking for economic development information.

Population Household and Employment Study 2009 (PDF)
This comprehensive long-term growth forecast will be used as a background to the City's 2009 Development Levies and Servicing Fees Study as well as for land use planning, long-term infrastructure requirements, water and waste water facilities and capital budgeting.  It is divided into three phases: an economic and demographic profile of the city, a long-term population and employment forecast and a review of recent population and housing forecasts for Prince Albert.

Prince Albert Economic and Demographic Profile (October 2006) (PDF)
This study was prepared by Doug Elliot, publisher of Saskatchewan Trends Monitor for the City of Prince Albert in October, 2006.  The profile gives an overview of the city's demographic and economic profile.  Key highlights in the profile include population and age distribution, social and cultural characteristics of Prince Albert residents and the economic characteristics of the city's residents and the economy itself.  The profile is a great resource tool for strategic and development planning purposes.

Plan Prince Albert (Draft)
The City's official community plan is known as Plan Prince Albert.  It is a comprehensive policy framework that outlines the goals and objectives that will guide the growth and development of the City of Prince Albert for the next 25 years.

Prince Albert Area Transportation Planning Study-Final Report (PDF)
This 2008 study considers several core issues in the development of a long-term transportation network plan for the City of Prince Albert.

South Highway Corridor Concept Plans and Commercial/Industrial Feasibility Study (PDF)
This study considers how further inducstrial expansion will proceed in the South Industrial area. It details the potential industrial, commercial, institutional and mixed use available properties in the land area which lies between the two south highway corridors and it identifies the problems, opportunities, and priorities for the development of each.

Prince Albert Downtown Improvement District (PDF)
The downtown strategic plan was commissioned in 2005. It is a long-term planning document that provides recommendations on how to approach the revitalization of the downtown area.

Prince Albert Municipal Airport Master Plan (PDF)
Active expansion of energy, resources and commodity markets has resulted in rapid economic growth in the Province of Saskatchewan.  Significant numbers of passengers have been utilizing the Prince Albert Municipal Airport in recent years, primarily destined for mining operations and communities in Saskatchewan's north and near north.  The Master Plan provides guidance for airport development.

Prince Albert Eco-Industrial Development Park
The City of Prince Albert has the opportunity to become a national leader in attracting industry for the production, processing and marketing of high value "green energy" products.  A green energy park is being developed which will be home to environmentally conscious or efficiency based industries or businesses. The buildings and park itself will embrace recycling and renewable environmental development, from roadways to landscaping and buildings.

Diamond Industry – Opportunity and Impact Assessment (PDF)
The study, prepared by Diamond Consultants of Canada, was release in May of 2008 in order to provide a better insight of what a potential diamond industry could mean to Prince Albert.

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Business

The City of Prince Albert Bylaw No. 42 of 2004 governs the licensing of businesses in the City of Prince Albert so as:

1. to regulate businesses,
2. to ensure compliance with land-use and building regulations,
3. to gather land-use information, and
4. to facilitate planning decisions.

See Bylaw No. 42 of 2004 - Business License Bylaw on the Bylaws page.

Business License Applications
Find a copy of a business license application, home occupation license and a transient license application.

Municipal Enterprise Zone
The Municipal Enterprise Zone is located in the downtown district, and this section provides information on incentives for businesses that operate in this area.

Biz Pal
A Federal, Provincial and Municipal initiative created to guide you through the process of starting a business. This free on-line questionnaire will provide you with all the answers regarding what licenses and permits you will need when starting your business.

Economic Development and Planning Services and Fees
This contains a list of all permits, licenses and services that are provided through the Department of Economic Development and Planning as well as the associated fees.

Business Directory
A complete listing of all approved businesses within the City of Prince Albert.

New Business Support Programs
This page provides a list of support programs that are provided through associations, peers and different government programs that encourage and provide financial and mentoring assistance to new entrepreneurs interested in starting a business.

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Residential Land Development Presentation (PDF)
The City holds these forums throughout the year. They are designed to open up communication between stakeholder groups and the City of Prince Albert by providing the City with an opportunity to present interested parties with relevant information, as well as giving those individuals an opportunity to share any issues or concerns relating to land development.

The presentation includes information about the current land sale status and land availability for residential commercial and industrial development; new residential, commercial and industrial development areas; City growth and development trends and statistics.

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Economic Development and Planning E-Newsletters
The City of Prince Albert publishes an e-newsletter that reviews the current events and any change of policy or regulation to better communicate with business owners and the public in Prince Albert.  (Please let us know if you wish to be on our e-mail list to receive our e-newsletters.)

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Visitors Overview
Prince Albert is fortunate to have many historical attractions and museums, including "Diefenbaker House," the City residence of the Right Honourable John G. Diefenbaker, former Prime Minister of Canada. Prince Albert is truly blessed, and we sincerely invite you to join us in the "Gateway to the North," the Economic Engine of North Central Saskatchewan. Be assured you are a most welcome guest, resident or business owner in our community during all seasons!

Distances from PA

Rail and Trucking

Dangerous Goods Route
This map displays the required route for transportation of dangerous goods as per Schedule 50 of Bylaw No. 16 of 2005 - Transportation Bylaw.  (You can view the bylaw on the Bylaws page.)

Traffic Volumes  (pdf)