Alberta BioBord’s plans for Stettler plant moving ahead on different parcel of land

A medium-density fibreboard (MDF) company planning to build a plant near Stettler has announced it’s signed a land purchase agreement and is proceeding with the project, though it’s not the parcel of land they initially identified. ECA Review/Submitted
Written by Stu Salkeld

A medium-density fibreboard (MDF) company planning to build a plant near Stettler has announced it’s signed a land purchase agreement and is proceeding with the project, though it’s not the parcel of land they initially identified.

Alberta BioBord notified the ECA Review in a press release March 22 that its plans to build a multi-phase MDF plant near Stettler is proceeding, with one difference: the parcel of land.

“Alberta BioBord Corp. today announces that it is proceeding with its projects in Stettler County, Alberta. The company has signed a land purchase agreement on a full quarter section situated in Stettler County that has excellent highway and railway access and is sufficient in size and layout to meet all development requirements. 

The initial application for rezoning has already been filed and the application for the first phase pellet mill development permit is being prepared for filing.”

Alberta BioBord President and CEO George Clark stated by phone March 24 the initial site, south of Stettler near the municipal airport, was a great site but was already earmarked for residential development.

The CEO stated Alberta BioBord instead found a site northeast of Stettler on the east edge of Hwy. #56 and south edge of RR #392 that is ideal. He noted the development will take place in the southeast corner of the quarter section.

County of Stettler Reeve Larry Clarke said the municipality has already been on the site with Alberta BioBord representatives.

“The developer has submitted an application to our Planning & Development department,” stated Clarke’s email.

“Staff met with representatives of Alberta BioBord at the prospective site this morning, and we look forward to working through the regulatory compliance process with them. 

“The County of Stettler is committed to growing our local economy and excited by the possibility of attracting new projects to our region.”

Town of Stettler Mayor Sean Nolls told the ECA Review in an email March 23 the new site “provides a lot of advantages.”

“We are always excited about the opportunity to attract business to our community, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with Alberta Biobord and the County of Stettler during this development process,” stated Nolls in his email.

“We believe that the land selected by Alberta BioBord provides a lot of advantages in the interest of good planning.”

Alberta BioBord stated at a County of Stettler meeting March 10 they’d like to begin construction early this summer.

 

Stu Salkeld, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

ECA Review

About the author

Stu Salkeld

Stu Salkeld, who has upwards of 28 years of experience in the Alberta community newspaper industry, is now covering councils and other news in the Stettler region and has experience working in the area as well.

He has joined the ECA Review as a Local Journalism Initiative Journalist.

Stu earned his two-year diploma in print journalism from SAIT in Calgary from 1993 to ’95 and was raised in Oyen, Alta., one of the communities within the ECA Review’s coverage area.