Economic Development

Vision

The physical environment of downtown Prince Albert is intrinsically valuable. The important qualities of the community include its proximity to the North Saskatchewan

Guiding principles

Promote Diversity of use:
The intent is to be pedestrian friendly by promote mixed uses downtown including retail, office, hotels, housing, culture, entertainment, recreation and special events

Develop attractive Pedestrian links:
People must be able to walk between activity centers. Convenient links should be direct and physically attractive. These links must connect active retail, residential, restaurant and entertainment locations.

Access to the District:
Protect the district environment from the negative impacts of arterial roads running through the community, while maintaining reasonable vehicular and bicycle access to activity nodes within the area.

Proximity to the Riverfront:
The riverfront should be utilized thoughtfully and integrated with the Downtown District theme.

Environmental sustainability:
The incorporation of energy conservation materials and sustainable processed in buildings encouraged.

Municipal Enterprise Zone

The creation of the Municipal Enterprise Zone is the result of a partnership between the Prince Albert Downtown Improvement District Association (PADIDA) and the City of Prince Albert.

The mission of PADIDA is to encourage and facilitate the continuing development of a vibrant and prosperous downtown district.  They are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, including property owners and business persons within the area.

The Enterprise Zone is an area of downtown designated for revitalization.  Click on the map to see the area in greater detail.

To encourage revitalization and economic growth within this area, a system of incentives was created for new and existing businesses operating there.

1. Property Tax Abatement
   
   

   Any COMPLETED building improvements which result in an increase to the assessed value of a property  will qualify for the tax abatement incentive.  The incremental tax increase will be reduced as follows:

   • Year 1 - 100%
   • Year 2 - 90%
   • Year 3 - 80%
   • Year 4 - 80%

     Please Note:

     • The four-year abatement will be based on the increase between the original and the new assessment values of the property.

     • The incentive will be based on a maximum increase in value of $100,000 during any abatement cycle.  If the value of the development exceeds $100,000, the incentive will be based on $100,000.

     • The total tax incentive amount is only valid for one tax abatement cycle.

     • The Municipal Enterprise Committee will consider the applicant's ownership of the property or leasing arrangements in determining the value of the incentive.

2. Rebates on Fees for Development Permits and Sign Permits

   Permit amounts will be reimbursed after the application for the rebate has been approved.

   The City must first approve the type of business before a development permit can be issued. Permitted Use businesses are those which can be approved by the Economic Development and Planning Department. Discretionary Use businesses are those which first require approval from Council. See Section 16 of the Zoning Bylaw for lists of permitted and discretionary use businesses.

3. Business License Incentives

   Tier 1 - Any new permitted-use business in the downtown (with an approved Development or Building Permit) will have the initial business license fee waived.

   Tier 2 - If the owner of an existing business incurs costs in excess of $100,000 for renovations or development that is consistent with Section 4.1 (General Urban Design Principles) of the Prince Albert Downtown Strategic Plan, business license fees will be waived for the next five years.

Eligibility

 All applicants must meet the following regulations:

1. The business must be legally registered with the Province of Saskatchewan
2. The owner must have or be applying for a valid City Business License
3. All City taxes must be paid up to date.

Process

1. Obtain an application form, either:
   • from the Economic Development and Planning Department at City Hall,
   • from PADIDA (located at 9 - 11th Street West), or
   • by downloading an electronic copy
2. Submit the completed application form to either the Economic Development Coordinator or PADIDA.
3. The Municipal Enterprise Zone Committee will discuss your project and review the requirements. An estimate of incentives will be given at this time.
4. If the Municipal Enterprise committee and the applicant agree on the value of the incentives, the request will be forwarded to City Council for final approval.
5. Once City Council approves the incentives and final inspections have been completed, the approved incentive amounts will be granted to the recipient.

The PADIDA can offer:

• Applications for the Municipal Enterprise Zone
• A liaison between the property owner and the City
• Information regarding the Municipal Enterprise Zone
• Information regarding the Downtown Strategy

For more information on the Municipal Enterprise Zone, you can contact either the Economic Development and Planning Department at City Hall or:

PADIDA
9 - 11th Street West
Prince Albert, SK S6V 5R4

Phone: (306)763-1802
Email: padia@sasktel.net

 

City of Prince Albert
Economic Development and Planning
1084 Central Ave.
Prince Albert, SK.
S6V 7P3

Phone: (306) 953-4370
Fax: (306) 953-4380