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Town Projects

An update on all current Town of Oyen projects is coming soon! Stay tuned!

Town administration is working on a multi-faceted project entitled ‘Building a Community Development Strategy for Oyen’ with Natalie Gibson of InnoVisions & Associates. InnoVisions is a consulting firm that specializes in helping rural communities with community and economic development.

“Our town needs a coordinated plan that helps our businesses to thrive and grow as a key part of a vibrant community” says Mayor Jones. “Our community depends on the success of our businesses to ensure a good quality of life for the residents. It is incumbent upon us to do what we can to foster their success.”

The Town hosted the first of a series of ‘community café’ discussions on November 22, 2022 and the second session took place February 16, 2023 with 54 participants. These café events were an opportunity for residents, business owners, rural citizens, student families, seniors, etc. to identify existing assets in Oyen & area, then create opportunities that will provide long-term prosperity for residents and businesses alike. Session #2 working groups viewed the opportunities identified by the public through café sessions and the online survey (over 100!) and discussed the three main opportunity groups that emerged and created an action plan for what can be done, and who will do it.

1. BUSINESSDEVELOPMENT - strive to support local businesses; focus on business retention; investment attraction; and workforce development
2. EDUCATION - Provide more education opportunities for youth and adults that lead to local employment
3. AGRICULTURE - Increase agriculture collaboration and innovation; add more value-added products and services produced locally
4. MEDICAL - secure additional medical services and continue to support the local hospital

We would like to thank those who attended the sessions. To date, over 250 individuals have participated. You are important to this process, and you are valued!
"Community" is a group effort; your opinion, knowledge, network, and participation are needed to create the Oyen you envision.

Names of individuals who have expertise and experience in business development, education, agriculture, and healthcare were provided by the attendees at the February Café Session. Champion committees meet to discuss what needs to happen and who will be involved to achieve goals. As progress is made or help is needed, we will update in the chart below.

EDUCATIONAGRICULTUREMEDICALBUSINESS RETENTIONINDUSTRY

WINS

✓ Health Care Aide program returning to SCHS

Current Situation

  • Committee of Municipal and Educational leaders is created
  • Promoting current activities and accomplishments at Oyen schools on Town's social media

Goals

  • Increase number of students enrolling in Oyen High School
  • Increase interest in trades/careers available in Oyen
  • Headstart in career path
  • Retain teachers in Oyen

Strategies

  • Dorms/housing options
  • Career Fairs/education
  • Promote & enroll students in RAP program with local companies
  • Integrate & retain
  • Promote & Develop academies to increase school enrollment

WINS

✓ Committee created with volunteers from CARA, Special Areas, and local farmers/ranchers

Current Situation

  • Acadia Valley irrigation project = new crops & increased yields
  • Railyard expansion = attract agriculture businesses/industry

Goals 

  • Grow new high-value crops
  • Value-added businesses
  • Increase people and businesses tax payers

Strategies 

  • Education sessions
  • Promote business opportunities and profiles
  • Identify prov/federal advantages


WINS

✓ BCH's Emergency Dept. and 5/10 acute care beds reopened 24/7

✓ Local Site manager hired, Shelaine Woods

Current Situation

  • A committee of champions has been formed and meet every few weeks.
  • Marketing for open nursing positions at BCH
  • An incentive package is created for attraction
  • Newcomer Connector volunteer position open to integrate/welcome new employees in the community
Goals
  • Attract nurses and other medical professionals to Oyen ($15,000 incentive package from the Government if relocating over 100km) 
  • Differentiate us from the "rest of rural"
  • Fill all vacant positions with signed nurses (no contract nurses)
  • Increase patient load for our doctors
  • Increase medical services including a Dementia Unit
Strategies
  • Mirror Doctor recruitment successes to attract & integrate nurses and other medical professionals into the community
  • Host and Attend career fairs
  • Housing support and buddy system
  • Grow Our Own
  • Promote high school students to enroll in the Prairie Rose Healthcare Aide Program

WINS

✓ Oyen is a designated community for the Alberta Advantage Rural Entrepreneur Stream

Current Situation

  • Business Directory (marketing) on Town website
  • Working with the Chamber of Commerce to develop strategies
  • Employer needs survey
  • Applied to become a designated community in the Alberta Rural Renewal Stream
  • Local businesses closing 
  • Limited bars/restaurants
Goals
  • Strengthen local support for businesses
  • Increase workforce active & available
  • Attract new businesses to open
  • See succession planning within local businesses
Strategies
  • Alta. Advantage Immigration Program
  • Ukrainians/Refugees
  • Housing selection
  • "Grow your Own" RAP program in school
  • Promote mentorship & scholarships for Returning to Rural


WINS

✓ Proposed Economic Corridor Expansion West (rail) has been approved

✓ Oyen East Industrial Area Structure Plan has been approved by Council

Current Situation

  • Investment possibilities have been proposed 
  • Feasibility study for expansion of the railway west
  • Received the National Trade Corridor Grant for rail development within Oyen/surrounding

Goals

  • Increase industry in Town = increase tax assessment
  • Acquire more industrial land in Oyen
  • Increase amount of tax payers

Strategies 

  • Annex land East of CARA
  • Promote advantages
  • Railyard expansion


Stay up to date with the process right here or on the Town of Oyen Facebook Page.

“At the end of this project, we will have some clear strategies and plans on where we are going, how we are going to get there and who’s going to do what to ensure a dynamic business community” says Debbie Ross , Town CAO.



The Oyen Railyard project has been developing over the past several years. The Canadian National Railway (CNR) has certified the Oyen Railyard "rail ready" (click here to view CNs document). This certification adds Economic Benefit to the Town of Oyen and area as it is now a desirable placement for industries to build/expand.

For more information, view the following documents or contact Doug Jones.

06/12/2020 - Notice of Annexation

Oyen East Industrial Area Structure Plan - draft

The Council of the Town of Oyen gave first reading to Bylaw No. 904-23 on February 14, 2023 at a Special Council Meeting. A Public Hearing will be formally held on March 14th, 2023 commencing at 6:00pm. Council will accept formal complaints from any person claiming to be affected by the proposed bylaw. 

The proposed Bylaw 904-23 can be viewed on our website under Government - Bylaws, or copies may be pick up at the Town Office Monday thru Friday between 8:30am and 4:30pm.

The Open House was held on March 1, 2023 at 6:00pm in the Town Council Chambers. Eighteen members from the public attended, along with representatives from the Town of Oyen, Palliser Regional Municipal Services and the Special Areas Board. A presentation was given by Palliser, then the floor was opened up to questions and comments from the public. Conversation was constructive and respectful. We would like to thank all of those who attended!


Kindly contact Debbie Ross, CAO, at (403)664-3511 for further information.

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