More than a data centre: How Sturgeon County is preparing for a new era

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"When we put our rod in the pond, we thought we might catch a trout — but instead, we caught a whale."

That's how Sturgeon County Mayor Alanna Hnatiw describes the announcement that Meta will invest approximately $13 billion in a new data centre within Alberta's Industrial Heartland.

For Mayor Hnatiw, the investment didn't suddenly place Sturgeon County on the map. It confirmed what local leaders had believed for decades.

"We always knew the Industrial Heartland was a world-class cluster," she said. "Meta validated what we already knew."

Located near Highway 643 and Range Road 222, the facility is expected to create thousands of construction jobs, support local businesses, and generate long-term economic growth for the region. The reasons behind the investment are no mystery, according to Hnatiw.

"We have world-class geology, salt caverns, flat land, water, good soil, and access to a skilled workforce of 1.4 million people. Those assets make this region incredibly competitive."

But while the headlines have focused on the data centre, Hnatiw believes the real story is what comes next.

Preparing for growth

Originally from rural Saskatchewan, Hnatiw grew up on a fifth-generation family farm before careers in business, insurance, occupational health and safety, oilfield waste management, and recycling that eventually brought her to Sturgeon County in 2000.

After years of community volunteerism through school boards and Rotary, she entered municipal politics and, in 2017, became the first woman elected mayor in the county's 100-year history. Throughout her career, she has viewed leadership as helping people understand change.

"So much of what was happening in Sturgeon County wasn't being understood by residents," she said. "I see my role as an interpreter — highlighting the issues, explaining the options, and empowering people."

During her time as mayor, Sturgeon County council has introduced long-term planning tools, including a 25-year Drainage Master Plan, an updated Sturgeon Valley Area Structure Plan, the Villeneuve Airport Area Structure Plan, a Waste Management Plan, a Fire Service Master Plan, a 10-Year Assessment Plan, and rolling five-year operational plans.

Yet many of the region's biggest challenges remain collaborative ones.

How should municipalities share infrastructure? How should regional services be funded? How do neighbouring communities work together on water, recreation, emergency services, and transportation?

"Planning and governing is an iterative process," Hnatiw said. "We need to provide certainty, but we also have to leave room for change and nuance."

Looking ahead, she sees enormous opportunity in advanced manufacturing, the defence sector, and continued industrial investment — but she recognizes one issue underpins it all. Housing.

Building communities to support opportunity

"The county hasn't experienced the same residential growth as many neighbouring municipalities over the last decade," Hnatiw said. "We've traditionally been rural, but every community evolves. We need to move at the pace of relevance while recognizing that growth requires everyone working together."

That evolution is already beginning.

Civil engineer Mark Solikowski is helping design one of the county's most significant future communities — a master-planned neighbourhood being developed jointly by Cantiro, Cameron Communities, NAC Management, Strata Developments, and Sturgeon Heights Properties.

For Solikowski, the project is deeply personal. A longtime Sturgeon County resident, he hopes future generations — including his daughter Ella — will have the opportunity to remain close to home.

"One day, Ella asked me, 'Dad, if I wanted to live by you someday, could I?'"

That question has stayed with him.

"This community gives families that opportunity," he said. "It creates housing choices while supporting new roads, parks, and infrastructure that benefit everyone."

A career spent shaping communities

Solikowski has spent nearly three decades designing communities throughout Alberta. After beginning his career at UMA Engineering, he co-founded Select Engineering Consultants, helping to deliver neighbourhoods across the Edmonton region.

"This career lets you make a lasting impact," he said. "You can drive through a community years later and see the ponds, parks, roads, and neighbourhoods you helped create."

But this project carries unique meaning. "This is probably my favourite project because I live here."

Although five different development companies own land within the project area, he says the shared vision has created strong collaboration.

"Sturgeon County hasn't undertaken a community at this scale before, and we are ecstatic to be part of this journey with them."

The neighbourhood will achieve approximately 35 dwelling units per net residential hectare while carefully transitioning housing forms from existing acreages to more compact development.

From an engineering perspective, the work is especially transformative.

"We're delivering roads, a new CN Rail underpass, major infrastructure and a unique financing partnership with the county — all at the same time," he said.

A different kind of community

For Katrina Rowe, president of Cantiro Communities, successful development begins with partnership.

"This is a team sport," she said. "Municipalities and developers want communities they can be proud of. Both sides need each other to succeed."

She acknowledges that developing communities is never simple. "If development was easy, everyone would do it."

Cantiro first acquired land within the project nearly two decades ago. Following approval of the Area Structure Plan in 2021, work has continued through refinement of the Neighbourhood Structure Plan. The vision is to create a community that respects Sturgeon County's rural identity while expanding housing choice.

"Historically, Sturgeon has been known for large homes on large lots," Rowe said. "Those homes remain important, but they don't meet everyone's needs. People are looking for different housing options at different stages of life."

The community will begin with predominantly single-detached housing, with a greater mix of housing types — including townhomes and higher-density residential — introduced closer to the City of Edmonton and in areas farther from existing development. Parks, gathering spaces, commercial amenities, and thoughtfully designed public spaces will help create a complete community.

Rather than flattening the landscape, the design embraces the site's natural topography.

"There will be grade changes throughout the neighbourhood, creating character, unique streetscapes, and interesting landscaping," Rowe said.

Ultimately, Rowe says successful communities respond to changing market demand. "We build what people want to live in," she said. "If demand changes, we adapt. That's our responsibility."

Building for tomorrow

For Mayor Hnatiw, Meta's investment represents more than a single project. It demonstrates what becomes possible when a region invests in long-term planning, infrastructure, and partnerships.

Now, she believes the next chapter depends on ensuring communities can grow alongside employment opportunities. Economic development and housing cannot be planned independently.

As Sturgeon County welcomes billions of dollars in investment and prepares for future industries, creating complete communities — with housing, infrastructure, and services — will be essential to ensuring today's momentum becomes lasting prosperity for generations to come.