Three-Year Initiative Aims to Boost Chestermere’s Profile and Attract Investment

In a bold move to elevate its economic standing, Chestermere has signed on as a founding member of Invest Greater Calgary (IGC), a new, three-year pilot program designed to promote business growth across the Calgary Metropolitan Region.
At its July 8 council meeting, City Council instructed Mayor Shannon Dean to formalize Chestermere’s participation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding. IGC unites eight municipalities—Airdrie, Calgary, Chestermere, Cochrane, Foothills County, High River, Okotoks, and Rocky View County—into a cohesive regional voice for attracting investment
“This is a smart investment for Chestermere,” Mayor Dean stated. “By pooling resources, we gain access to regional market intelligence and investor outreach that would be difficult for a single municipality to achieve on its own, while still focusing on our local priorities.” His remarks echo similar messages from participating communities that emphasize regional cohesion without sacrificing autonomy .
Helmed by Calgary Economic Development, IGC was initiated in 2023 under the direction of the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board. It is structured around a regional secretariat tasked with coordinating four core areas: regional research and analysis; marketing and promotion; investor support; and program development.
The pilot aims to eliminate duplicated efforts across municipalities and concentrate efforts on attracting business—notably, national and international investors—through a unified regional approach.
Chestermere’s participation involves an annual contribution of $6,000 from its 2025 operating budget, with funding shared among municipalities based on population, equalized assessment, and a flat-rate model.
This aligns with the cost-sharing formulas used by similarly sized partners, such as Rocky View County, which contributes $48,400 over three years, and Cochrane, which will invest $29,004 across the pilot period.
An IGC Advisory Committee, comprising representatives from each member municipality, will meet quarterly to set strategy, approve budgets, and steer regional projects—ensuring a one-member, one-vote model that maintains equitable decision-making.
The first year will focus on building a shared regional brand, conducting market research, and initiating investor engagement. Progress reports are expected to be delivered to local communities as the pilot progresses.
As Chestermere joins its neighbours in this collective effort, the city positions itself to benefit from elevated exposure and strengthened economic networks—backed by a framework that balances regional ambition with local focus.