A Moment with the Mayor: Lloydminster's growth

The word growth has a lot of meanings for us in Lloydminster. I plan to tackle a few of the meanings and explain why they are so important to us on many fronts.

Population growth is often the first type of growth we think of. As we experience the inward flow of individuals and families moving to fill job opportunities, opening businesses, or they might be searching for a job or a place to retire as a city, we’re here offering a place.

The next area of growth can either lead to or follow population growth – business and residential growth. As our provinces grow, accommodation is required to house our new residents. These accommodations often range from short- to long-term rentals, condos or single-family dwellings. The local market conditions play a huge role in the types of existing accommodations and new construction in our community and surrounding area.

Business construction often falls into either commercial or industrial areas. The economy plays a huge role in the demand and availability of land ready for development to meet each specific need or existing property that businesses may be looking for. As a city, we have an economic development team that helps businesses and property owners connect, and they work to meet the needs of Lloydminster residents.

A balance often happens between supply and demand, jobs and labourers. We have data indicating Lloydminster serves a trading area of around 150,000 to 180,000 people. This knowledge helps businesses and developers to target and build in ways that will serve the needs of our trading area.

In all this, Lloydminster and the area are well-positioned for growth. We offer quality of life, land to grow on and an employable workforce, all of which will help support current and future growth in and around our community.

Why is growth important? Growth sends signals to provincial and federal governments about the need for schools, hospitals and other government services to support the citizens in our area. Growth helps to support our local community in maintaining, building, and developing infrastructure and all those things that contribute to quality of life. 

I truly believe that growth has made our community and surrounding area better. With your help in sharing the good news about Lloydminster and the area, we look forward to continuing future growth and opportunities for our residents and businesses.

Mayor Gerald S. Aalbers
City of Lloydminster