By Kevin J. Sabo
For the Independent
County of Stettler council received two delegations during their March 10th, 2021 council meeting.
The first delegation was comprised of Stacey Benjamin and Matt Dorsett, the executive director and the president, respectively, of Stettler’s Board of Trade.
The purpose of the delegation was to highlight the important work in economic development the organization is doing, as well as offer council the opportunity to have a member join the board.
The second delegation to appear before council was Alberta BioBord CEO George Clark and two directors, Randy Kerr and Lorne Murfitt. The trio were discussing a proposed fibre board plant at a location near the Stettler airport.
During the presentation, the group re-affirmed their preference for a Stettler location, based on water, rail, and road access, though did note another possible location is available near Camrose.
Clark presented to council requesting their support with the Town of Stettler, as the location proposed for the plant is within the area administered by the Intermunicipal Development Plan between the two municipalities.
As of now, the land proposed for the project is in an area also proposed for annexation by the town for residential development.
“We are in negotiations with a land purchase agreement,” said Clark.
“We’ve been delayed, made more difficult by the IDP requirements.”
County of Stettler Chief Administrative Officer Yvette Cassidy noted that no applications have been yet to have the property potentially rezoned for the plant and suggested that Clark contact the County of Stettler development office to figure out what next steps are.
Reeve Clarke commented that there is an upcoming joint meeting between the Town of Stettler council and the County council and this project would likely be discussed at that venue.
The first phase of the fibre board plant would be the construction of a $36-40 million fibre pellet plant, which could be constructed in as little as three months.
The property has land available for the operation to expand into a full fibre board plant, which would necessitate an 18- to 24-month build.
Council accepted the presentation as information.