Agri-Food corridor will bring jobs

Olds College and Calgary Economic Development have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish the Calgary-Olds Smart Agri-Food Corridor, which they describe as the leading smart agri-food corridor in the country.

It will help attract new startup companies and jobs to the region, according to Olds College president Stuart Cullum.

The MOU was signed this past Wednesday in Calgary.

"Today, more than ever before, agriculture and food producers are looking to technology and science to optimize their operations," Cullum said. "Through the creation of the Calgary-Olds Smart Agri-Food Corridor, we will establish a strong regional position that will attract agriculture entrepreneurs, startup companies and technology developers.

"This corridor will leverage Calgary's global corporate presence and distribution hub with Olds College's applied research and integrated learning. It will further develop an ecosystem that supports innovation and incubates entrepreneurial companies."

During an interview with the Albertan, Cullum said not all entrepreneurs and companies will necessarily be attracted to Olds as opposed to Calgary. It will depend on what each has to offer them. But he's confident the Olds area will get its share.

"The point is that regardless of where they situate, whether it's in Olds or whether it's in Calgary, they're utilizing the capabilities of both," Cullum said.

"So if a company is locating in downtown Calgary because that's where they need to be in order to access that corporate environment and that financial environment, but they need to do their technology development and their more practical development, they can do that at Olds and they can have a presence in Olds, but they don't necessarily need to have to have their head office here.

"And vice versa. You'd have companies that potentially would be located here because they need to be closer to their manufacturing facilities, but they can have a presence or have efficient and effective access to the capabilities that Calgary has to offer," he added.

The 100-kilometre corridor helps Calgary and Olds play "a key role" in the federal government's proposed Smart Agri-Food Supercluster and positions the area "at the forefront of an industry that's critical to the Alberta and Canadian economies" according to a news release.

Olds & District Chamber of Commerce president Ben Stone also likes the move.

"This appears to be excellent news for Olds and area. What we're seeing here is the college leveraging its expertise in agri-business with the global contact network that is available in Calgary through partnership and co-operation," Stone said after the announcement.

He said the town as a whole will benefit from the exposure and jobs the agreement will provide.

"The Town of Olds will also benefit from the increased focus on agriculture and agri-business, along with numerous jobs that increased business activity brings."

Stone said the agreement will open up more opportunities for Olds College students and "provide further recognition for the Town of Olds which is proving itself to be one of the most diverse and progressive towns in the province."