April 6, 2023 (Edmonton Metropolitan Region)- Today, B.C. chocolate producer, English Bay Blending & Fine Chocolates, announced its final investment decision (FID) to relocate and expand its business from Delta, B.C. to Stony Plain, Alberta. The company will invest $30 million into the construction of a new, approximately 120,000 square-foot food manufacturing facility, hiring 70 permanent positions and 90 temporary construction workers with plans to hire more people as the business expands.
The company was growing and was looking to expand but ran into challenges with lack of affordable land in its original location in B.C. English Bay considered relocating to Ohio but ultimately chose Stony Plain and the Edmonton Region due to its abundant availability of affordable land, lower taxes, available feedstocks, and improved ability to get their product to market efficiently. The company was further incentivized to relocate by Alberta’s Investment and Growth Fund (IGF) – the company will receive a $2.14 million grant to support their relocation. Additionally, English Bay will benefit from the new 12% provincial tax credit aimed at companies that make a minimum capital investment of $10 million in value-added agri-processing in Alberta.
English Bay is an example of what’s possible to increase the economic benefits the Edmonton Region reaps through our food and agriculture sector. With the majority of agriculture in the province being primary production, expanding value-added food production could double or event triple our GDP related to this sector. In 2021, the agri-food sector contributed $8.1 billion GDP.
Relocating to Stony Plain will ensure English Bay is well-positioned to continue its growth from the Edmonton Region. As a value-added agri-processor, English Bay will have access to high-quality ingredients and plans to source as many local ingredients as possible for its production, including locally grown grains and oils.
English Bay selected 8.3 acres of land in Stony Plain as the future home of its new factory, which will begin construction in 2023 and is expected to be fully operational in 2025.
Quotes:
“Alberta’s government has created an economic climate that has attracted yet another high-impact investor to the province. May I be the first to welcome English Bay to Stony Plain. Our ‘Team Alberta’ approach with our partner Edmonton Global has been incredibly effective to position our province as one of the best places to do business in North America. Alberta checks all the boxes for companies like English Bay when they are looking for a place to grow.”
“In my many years of growing diverse companies, I find people to be my greatest resource. Our team is exceptional, helping each other across businesses. We have established relationships with the Town of Stony Plain through the development of our other entities and we seek to continue our growth in Stony Plain with the move of English Bay to this wonderful community.”
“Stony Plain is honoured to welcome English Bay Blending & Fine Chocolates. Over the years, countless people have contributed to the vitality of Stony Plain to create the value and opportunities we offer. English Bay’s investment will create impactful jobs for our residents, diversify and boost Stony Plain’s productive economy, and grow our one-of-a-kind community. At 120,000 square feet, the English Bay factory will be one of the largest agribusiness facilities in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region and the most significant private investment in Stony Plain’s history. This announcement today is an important one as it demonstrates the coming together of a multitude of partners. Together, we lay the groundwork to support significant economic projects that benefit the Edmonton Metropolitan Region.”
“English Bay coming to Stony Plain is extremely exciting news, and I’d like to welcome them to our lovely province. Our government is committed to rural communities like Stony Plain. And through the Investment and Growth Fund’s Rural Stream, Alberta’s government is helping to expand and diversify our economies and create opportunities.”
“We are extremely excited to welcome English Bay into the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. Value-added agriculture holds so much potential for our Region. We’re one of the few places in the world that produces more food than we consume and our Northern location means we’re strategically connected to global markets. We look forward to seeing English Bay benefit from our strong ecosystem and continue their growth here.”
About Edmonton Global:
The purpose of Edmonton Global is to radically transform and grow the economy of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. We are a not-for-profit corporation founded by 14 municipalities that make up the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. Our focus is attracting foreign investment, helping Regional businesses export with the world, enhancing our Region’s global competitiveness, and bringing our Region together with a unified voice to attract the attention and interest of investors the world over.
Media Contact
Sherri Bouslama
Manager, Brand Strategy & Communications
780.996.1524
sbouslama@edmontonglobal.ca
