Smoky River Regional Economic Development

03/26/2026

✨Learn more about the labour market in the Smoky River Region on April 1st.

Find more details below 👇🏻

11/07/2025

Did you know that Community Futures Peace Country provides a wide range of small business services, developmental lending up to $150,000 and business management tools for people wanting to start, expand, franchise or sell a business?

Whether you’re in the start-up phase, planning for growth, planning your exit strategy and retirement, or you’ve been turned down by a financial institution, our team is here to help you.

Call us at 780-624-1161 for more information or stop by our office in Peace River at 9816-98 avenue.

11/04/2025

Fill out our survey and be entered to win a $500 Gift Card to our local grocery stores. Smoky River Fcss

Link to survey:
https://s.surveyplanet.com/pu2o95qn

10/17/2025

✨ Check out this online training session coming up October 29th! ✨

Learn how creativity fuels business success and ways to bring fresh ideas to life with Kim Westlund.

Sign up now!!! 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/wayfinder-training-creativity-in-business-tickets-1825968915179?aff=oddtdtcreator

10/15/2025

Congratulations!!

We’re thrilled to share that our founders, Gilbert and Sharon Wolfe, have been named EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 – Prairies Award Winners!

Gilbert and Sharon’s leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence have guided Wolfe Honey from its humble beginnings to one of Canada’s leading honey packers. This recognition is a true testament to their vision, hard work, and dedication over the course of their careers.

We are so very proud of them!

10/03/2025

“Is it time for you to make your dream a reality? Once the kids are back in school, you can now focus on starting that small business. Microbusiness is looking for strong candidates that want to be part of the next virtual Self Employment Training cohort that gets underway October 14th.”

https://microbusiness.ca/service/self-employment-training-now-online/

09/24/2025

Wolfe Honey is hosting a Job fair at the Log Cabin on October 1st from 3:00–7:00 PM and invites your business to participate if you are looking to hire staff.

The afternoon will be an opportunity for local businesses to connect with the community, showcase their offerings, and build stronger ties with their neighbours.

Wolfe Honey welcomes and encourages other local employers to join them for the event. If you’re interested in joining them, please get in touch with Doreen Brulotte at 780-925-2282 or by email at [email protected]

09/16/2025

Alberta’s government is launching the Alberta Youth Employment Incentive, a new $8-million program designed to help young Albertans (ages 15–24) find meaningful work and build skills for the future.

Through this initiative, employers will receive direct funding to offset the costs of hiring, training, and employing youth:
$4,000 for hiring 1–2 young workers for a combined minimum of 400 hours.
$7,500 for hiring 3–5 young workers for a combined minimum of 750 hours.

The program is expected to support around 1,000 businesses and create opportunities for 2,500 young workers beginning October 2025.

In addition, Alberta is introducing a new digital badge system for youth who complete at least 200 hours of work and pass a skills-verified employer assessment. This recognition will strengthen résumés and help employers identify candidates with proven workplace skills.

The incentive will be administered by CAREERS: The Next Generation Foundation, a trusted not-for-profit connecting youth with employment since 1997. Eligible employers include Alberta-based for-profit businesses, non-profits, and First Nations or Métis Settlements.

With Alberta’s youth unemployment rate at 17%, this program comes at a critical time to ensure young Albertans have the support, training, and opportunities they need to thrive in today’s workforce.

Kickstartingcareers for young Albertans | alberta.ca

09/05/2025

Smoky River Regional Economic Development would like to proudly congratulate Sharon & Gilbert Wolfe of Wolfe Honey Ltd on their finalist position with EY Entrepreneur of the Year in the Prairies 2025.

Congratulations to the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2025 Prairies finalists

08/29/2025

Attention Peace Country and region Business Owners!

DID YOU KNOW the Sunstone Strategic Wayfinder Program is FREE and offers personalized support for business owners and entrepreneurs located within the Community Futures Peace Country boundaries. This program is offered in partnership with Northern Sunrise County, Sunstone Strategic and Community Futures Peace Country.

Whether you're just getting started, growing your business, or facing challenges, the program includes:

• One-on-one business advice
• Marketing and branding support
• Networking opportunities
• Access to tools and resources

Book a free session to talk about your goals and see if the program is a good fit:
🔗 https://shorturl.at/mjpPt and contact Jason at [email protected] with any questions!

08/16/2025

What will jobs look like in Smoky River five years from now?

We’re not waiting to find out—we’re planning for it. By sharing your experience, you’ll help shape supports and actions to reflect what’s really happening on the ground. The stronger the insight, the
better our region’s strategy.

Two surveys are now open:
For residents – whether you’re working, retired, between jobs, in school, or running your
own thing.

For employers – whether you’ve got one employee or fifty.
This is about shaping the future of work in our region with real, local insight. It all starts with what you
tell us.

Your responses are anonymous. The survey takes less than 10 minutes. You’ll also be entered to
win a $50 gift card to a local business.

Live in Smoky River? Start here:
[English] https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CommunityLabourMarket-Eng
[Français] https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CommunityLabourMarket-Fr

Run a business here? Start here:
[English] https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EmployersLabourMarket-Eng
[Français] https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EmployersLabourMarket-Fr