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City’s new economic development strategy focuses on the "Edmonton Advantage" to drive prosperity through 2030
June 10, 2026

The City of Edmonton has released an updated economic development strategy that will guide its work to support and foster economic growth from 2026 to 2030.

Edmonton Advantage: Edmonton’s Economic Development Strategy 2026-2030 outlines how the City will transform its processes to better support and grow local businesses, attract global investment and build a vibrant and sustainable economy as the city grows to a population of two million.

"The Edmonton advantage is undeniable. Edmonton is a global leader in innovation and research, advanced manufacturing and the most affordable major city in Canada to do business," said Mayor Andrew Knack. “City Council’s core priorities have given us a clear mandate to move with purpose and accelerate growth, attract investment and deliver measurable results for Edmontonians. This refreshed strategy will guide us as we follow through on our commitments to ensure Edmonton continues to be the best place to start, grow and scale a business.”

Interconnected actions fuel cycles of success
The new strategy sees the City's role adjust from a traditional regulator to an active growth partner. Built on extensive data collection and insights from the business and economic development communities, it focuses on three strategic pillars designed to create a continuous cycle of economic success:

Enabling a strong business environment: Building upon red tape reduction efforts that already save businesses $16 million annually, optimizing local procurement and expanding Business Friendly services to help all businesses thrive.

Marketing the Edmonton Advantage: Co-creating a unified, compelling place brand with economic development partners to raise global awareness of Edmonton’s unique business advantages while lowering operational costs.

Driving investment: Leveraging the City's land, talent and infrastructure. This includes executing the Downtown and Industrial Investment Action Plans, establishing an Economic Opportunities Fund and providing tax incentives for new major commercial and industrial builds.

A collaborative strategy built with community partners
Recognizing that economic growth is a collective effort, the final strategy was deeply informed through engagement sessions with the City’s many economic development and business partners.

“The launch of Edmonton Advantage: Edmonton’s Economic Development Strategy marks the next stage of a thoughtful, measured approach to maximizing long-term economic impact,” said City Manager Eddie Robar. “Moving forward, the City will prioritize initiatives that offer the highest return on investment, generating economic momentum that will fund future stages of the plan. Backed by the collective spirit of our local builders, innovators and industries, this strategy aims to accelerate opportunity and leverage the Edmonton Advantage.”
For more information:
Edmonton Advantage: Edmonton’s Economic Development Strategy 2026-2030

Media contact:
Melissa Lovatt
Director, Communications and Engagement
Urban Planning and Economy
780-719-0544

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Chamber key takeaways from last week's Secretary of State chat:

https://www.edmontonchamber.com/2026/08/17/ruby-sahota-secretary-of-state-takeaways/

In partnership with the Downtown Revitalization Coalition, the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce welcomed The Honourable Ruby Sahota, Secretary of State for Combatting Crime. This event on August 13, 2026 was a timely conversation on public safety and what it means for Edmonton's economic future. Joined by business leaders, community partners, and Chamber members, the discussion focused on crime trends, community safety investments, and what it will take to make Edmonton the safest major city in Canada.

Public safety remains a critical economic issue

The conversation centered on the direct connection between safety and economic growth. Property crime remains a significant concern, increasing by more than 10% and continuing to impact operations, employee well-being, and consumer confidence. It was shared that 3 out of 5 Chamber member businesses surveyed said that they have safety concerns operating their business in Edmonton. Edmonton Chamber CEO Doug Griffiths, emphasized that attracting investment, supporting downtown revitalization, and growing Edmonton's economy requires both safer communities and a strong perception of safety among residents, workers, and visitors.

Crime severity is down, but businesses continue to face property crime challenges

A recurring theme throughout the event was the difference between overall crime statistics and the lived experiences of businesses. Cheryll Watson, Chair of the Downtown Revitalization Coalition, noted that although Edmonton has made meaningful progress in reducing crime severity, many businesses continue to experience theft, vandalism, and other property-related crimes that hinder investment. Addressing these concerns is essential not only for public safety outcomes, but also for maintaining confidence in Edmonton's downtown core and commercial districts.

Federal investments are being directed toward community safety

Secretary Sahota outlined several federal initiatives designed to strengthen public safety and support communities dealing with crime. She highlighted approximately $650,000 in federal support for local initiatives, as well as the federal government's commitment of $70 million over five years through the Canada Community Security Program. These investments are intended to help communities improve security measures, prevent crime, and create safer environments for residents, businesses, and community organizations.

Complex public safety challenges require more than enforcement alone

Throughout the fireside chat, Secretary Sahota stressed that organized crime, repeat offending, and community safety challenges cannot be solved through enforcement alone. While legislative changes and justice system reforms remain important tools, lasting results require a comprehensive approach. Edmonton Chamber Vice President, Heather Thomson, discussed the importance of combining prevention, rehabilitation, social supports, law enforcement, and community partnerships to address root causes while improving public confidence in safety outcomes.