Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a widely recognized planning tool used by municipalities and regions across North America to guide long-term economic growth and community prosperity.

Through research, analysis, and community engagement, the CEDS enables the Town of Westlock to:

• Assess current economic conditions and emerging market trends
• Identify community strengths, challenges, and opportunities
• Engage businesses, residents, regional partners, and key stakeholders
• Develop a clear, evidence-based strategy with measurable goals
• Provide an implementation framework to guide public and private investment

Westlock’s CEDS is structured around seven strategic pillars, which serve as the foundation for strengthening the local economy and positioning the community for long-term growth. These pillars focus on key areas such as business development, workforce and talent attraction, economic identity and storytelling, infrastructure readiness, industry and investment attraction, regional collaboration, and community development.

Rather than focusing on a narrow set of industries, the CEDS provides a flexible framework that allows the Town to pursue a range of economic opportunities aligned with Westlock’s assets, regional advantages, and emerging market opportunities.

The Town of Westlock has completed the development of its Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) — a forward-looking initiative designed to guide Westlock’s economic growth, resilience, and prosperity.

Throughout 2025, the Town undertook the planning and development phase of the strategy, engaging businesses, community stakeholders, regional partners, and residents to identify key priorities and opportunities for economic growth. The insights gathered through this process helped shape a strategic roadmap that reflects the needs and aspirations of the Westlock community.

The implementation phase of the CEDS will span from 2026 to 2030, providing a coordinated and actionable framework to strengthen the local business environment, attract investment, support workforce development, diversify the economy, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents and visitors.

This initiative reflects the Town’s commitment to proactive planning, strong community partnerships, and sustainable economic development, positioning Westlock for long-term economic success while building on the community’s existing strengths and opportunities.

The Town of Westlock’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) was developed between May and November 2025 through a structured process that included research, stakeholder engagement, and strategic analysis. The finalized strategy was formally launched in Q1 2026, marking the beginning of the implementation phase for the 2026–2030 planning period.

NOTE: The BREWD (Business Retention, Expansion, and Workforce Development) Survey was identified as a complementary initiative and will be conducted as a separate project to better understand the local business environment and the needs of Westlock’s business community.

Step 1: Explore Perceptions (May - June 2025)

Purpose: Establish a clear, data-informed understanding of Westlock’s current economic landscape and gather insights from local stakeholders.

View or download the Socio-Economic Benchmark Report.

Step 2: Future Scenarios and Implications (June - October  2025)

Purpose: Through the Think-Tank session, explore future economic scenarios, assess workforce trends and shifts — including insights gathered through the student survey — identify potential opportunities and challenges, and define shared community priorities to guide Westlock’s long-term economic development.

View or download the Westlock Student Survey Report

View of download the Westlock Think-Tank Report

Step 3: CEDS Draft (October - November 2025)

Purpose: Translate research and engagement results into an actionable draft strategy that aligns with local priorities.

Step 4: Strategic Roadmap (November 2025)

Purpose: Deliver a complete and polished strategy with practical tools to guide implementation and measure progress.

Step 5: Next Steps & Launch (December 2025 - March 2026)

Purpose: Approval and endorsement by Town Council, and implementation of action plan.

Community engagement was a cornerstone of this project. Throughout the process, residents, businesses, community organizations, students, and regional partners were invited to participate through surveys, interviews, and workshops. This approach ensured that the final strategy reflects the needs, aspirations, and priorities of the Westlock community.