Projects Currently being Developed

Bio-Industrial Park

The municipalities share interest in the development of a 100 acre bio-industrial park (with options to expand) that will include environmental industries that will utilize the raw resources available in the region. It is anticipated that a network of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly companies can share in the co-generation of power and resources available on-site that would create competitive advantage for industry. Projects slated for the park include; an ethanol plant, a canola crusher, a biodiesel plant, an aquaculture plant and a commercial green house. Other opportunities for a cereal flaking plant, feed mill and a CO2 plant are being explored.

Ethanol Plant

The Parkland Ethanol Cooperative Ltd. (PEC) was formed in 2004 as an agricultural producer lead organization to develop a $140 million wheat based ethanol plant for the farmers of the region. The project was put on hold in Feb. 2008 with the financial collapse in the United States, where major funds for the industry originated. The Co-op is reviewing its options as market conditions change.

PEC was prepared to share 20% equity and development costs with an investor for 80% equity and development costs.

Canola Crusher and Biodiesel Plant

The Parkland Biodiesel Cooperative Ltd. (PBC) was formed in 2005 as an agricultural producer lead organization to develop a vertically integrated biodiesel plant that would incorporate its own canola crushing plant. The farmers have partnered with an investment group who are interested in design, construction and operation of a 330,000 tonne canola crushing plant whose canola oil will be used to produce 120 million litres of biodiesel. The cost of the project is estimated at $60 million. The project was put on hold in Feb. 2008 with the finacial collapse in the United States.

Forestry

PARC has been investigating options to utilize the vast forest residue that remains in commercial cut blocks and on private woodlots. There are more than 40 quota holders with cutting rights and other in the region who would be interested in developing a project. PARC is currently reviewing possible consultants who have the experience in the Parkland and/or have additional experience in forest inventory analysis. PARC is interested in renewable fuel and using forestry products and waste.

Long-fibre Industrial Hemp

PARC responded to an opportunity with industrial hemp fibre. International interest has grown to include hemp in fabrics and textiles. PARC has included the Composite Innovation Centre, Manitoba Agriculture Food & Rural Initiatives and the Parkland Industrial Hemp Growers Co-op to assist in the project as well as several federal government departments..

Regional Integrated Waste Management

To respond to the need for industrial development a review of supporting infrastructure was made. The municipalities are operating aging landfills that are in various stages of their lifecycle.

The municipalities have received funding through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and through Manitoba Conservation-Province of Manitoba to complete a prefeasibility study and detailed analysis of a potential site. Genivar was contracted to provide an analysis of the 11 landfills operating in the area and recommendations on developing a regional site to serve all communities.

After completing an area surveillance of possible locations, Genivar completed detailed drilling and has monitoring wells at the identified site. The intention of the site is to provide environmental waste diversion options such as recycling and compositing and to evaluate technology that would provide waste to resource options, while ensuring future needs can be met.

Child Care Study

Support services for working families are important to attract and retain families in the communities and to provide a stable workforce for employers to attract and retain skilled workers. With the development of industry, a low employment rate and approximately 62% participation rate in the workforce, it is imperative that communities review and improve their childcare infrastructure to provide basic services to working families. The region is responding to the lack of childcare and providing options to avoid barriers to employment and rural development.

Over 2006, the Child Care Coalition of Manitoba studied the economic and social impact of childcare in the PARC trade corridor for the communities of Roblin, Grandview, Gilbert Plains, Ethelbert and Dauphin. The study found that childcare generates multiple benefits for childcare, families, and the regional economy. The report provides detailed information on Parkland’s childcare services and childcare labour force and the economic effects of the childcare sector. The research was supported by a local Advisory Council of leading stakeholders and additional meetings in each of the communities by parents and other residents to talk about the gaps in childcare provision.

The study has concluded that childcare means $1.9 million to the region’s economy. As this money “ripples” through the local economy, it is estimated to produce economic benefits of $3 million, accounting for direct and indirect effects. Childcare enables parents to work and it was calculated that the annual earnings of parents who use full-time childcare in the region to be over $7.7 million. For every $1 spent on childcare in the region it generates $1.58 of benefits to the communities. Investment in childcare creates high yields and brings significant benefits to children, families, communities and Parkland’s economy.

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Opportunities to be Developed

Value added processing – there is an abundance of resources in the region that are underutilized. Crops are currently grown for the export market. The area enjoys a unique climate that supports superior crop production for grain and oilseeds. There is a quantity of wood waste from commercial logging operations, cutting on private woodlots and vegetation management. Ethanol (wheat) and biodiesel (canola) are currently being developed.
Agro-products marketplace to retail and wholesale locally made products from the farm, forestry and non-timber forest products. The centre could be a regional marketing clearance house.
Develop highway commercial uses & services (e.g. truck stop/services, automotive service stations, fast-food/restaurants, hotels/motels, etc.) along the PTH No. 5, 10 and 83. Several locations along the highways have been identified for development. Rural locations have been identified for a larger operation, land requirement and need for businesses requiring separation from incompatible urban uses such as residential and recreational uses.
Promote residential and related uses:
Cottage development – Large areas of land in close proximity to the Duck Mountain Provincial Forest and Riding Mountain National Park are rated Class 5 Canadian Land Inventory for recreation. With the increased interest in eco-tourism in Manitoba and increased level of international interest in purchasing lots near the parks, there are many opportunities for cottage development and other recreational projects.
Loon Lake recreational trail and campground. The bed of the former Canadian National Railway that was removed several years ago has been preserved by the RM of Ethelbert. The rail bed offers an opportunity for development of a regional recreational trail that could be used seasonally by snowmobiles, skiers, hikers, cyclists and horseback riders which would bring tourist dollars to the Village of Ethelbert. Loon Lake located to the north of the Village of Ethelbert remains under-developed.