from a collaborative rather than a competitive standpoint. That’s a big change.” Within Crowfoot Crossing, the County of Paintearth has also recently introduced a fiber optic network – which serves as another testament to the county’s commitment to modernization and connectivity. That network is expected to provide high-speed internet access, making the park a more attractive destination for businesses seeking reliable and fast connectivity. By creating a robust digital infrastructure, the county is laying the groundwork for future economic development and positioning itself as a competitive player in the region. A key partner on that fiber optic network project is a company Rural Connect – a company that actually originated in Paintearth, which started through a local economic development group. They are an open-access, wholesale broadband utility that builds and operates broadband infrastructure in rural and regional communities throughout Alberta in partnerships with local governments. They are a company that envisions a future where all rural Canadians have equal access to broadband, enabling remote work, telehealth, innovation, and sustainable growth. By forming partnerships with companies like Rural Connect and municipal partners like the Town of Castor, the County of Paintearth has successfully transformed Crowfoot Crossing into a vibrant and modern industrial hub, in Michael’s opinion. That’s important, he explains, because because the County of Paintearth – like many counties in East Central Alberta – needs to attract investment and development to stay sustainable, and “having shovel-ready properties in our industrial park is a cornerstone of how we do that.” “By tying the park into the town’s sewer system and installing fiber optic internet network into the industrial park, we’re creating some very competitive properties that we think will attract some strong development, which then in turn should lead more jobs and growth for the community. “In a perfect world, this little innocuous project under the ground is going to be a catalyst for a new wave of development in the county,” Michael adds. “You wouldn’t think tying sewer service to a piece of industrial land would be such a big deal. But in our neck of the woods, that is a big deal. We’re expecting it to have a big impact.” JUNE 2025
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