Like most Canadian provinces, the focus of Alberta's success is centered on its major metropolitan areas. Site Selection declared Edmonton one of the top three "smart cities" in 1999, and there's no reason to think it's dumbed down since then. The province has used $322.6 million of its surplus to establish the Alberta Heritage Science and Engineering Research Endowment Fund. The province's elementary and secondary education programs were recently boosted by a $141.3 million injection of funds for Edmonton and Calgary schools. Edmonton's Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts will receive $40.6 million in order to expand to accommodate up to 2,400 students. And $43.2 million will go toward other education projects in the city, including five brand new schools.
      Perched at the junction of the Trans-Canada Yellowhead Highway and the beginning of the north-south Highway 2 that takes a million trucks a year to and from the U.S. I-15 corridor to Mexico, Edmonton can easily claim the title of economic crown jewel of western Canada. It's also the northernmost fully developed city in Canada, sitting as it does near the 53rd parallel, with a population nearing 1 million and a network of more than 60 industrial parks.
      But "sitting" would be a gross mis-characterization. In fact, the atmosphere is just the opposite, as demonstrated by the city's recent hosting of the IAAF World Championships of Athletics in August. While the world's best athletes stretched and sprinted in Edmonton's clear air and sparkling facilities, city and provincial officials were eagerly using the world spotlight to showcase some of the city's other selling points to multinational corporate decision-makers from around the world.
      "We had a total of 65 candidates participate in our Advantage 2001 program," says Norris. "We had candidates representing 18 different industry sectors. Anecdotally, we have already heard of some visitors from Europe who have been looking into real estate opportunities as a result of their visit."
      The sales pitch is not difficult when it comes to overall economic vibrancy. Growing at a 6.1 percent clip, Alberta's economy is the strongest in the country, and its residents enjoy the nation's highest personal disposable income per capita. In April, the Conference Board of Canada revised its forecast for the Edmonton region's growth this year to 4.8 percent, the highest rate of any major city in Canada, with Calgary close behind at 4.3 percent.
      "This outstanding growth rate tells us that business in Greater Edmonton is firing on all economic cylinders," says Jim Edwards, president and CEO of Economic Development Edmonton.
      "Leading this growth is a massive investment in our oilsands, located a few hours north of Edmonton, near Fort McMurray," explains Mark Erdman, corporate communications director for Alberta Economic Development. "There are now roughly 79 major projects ongoing in the oil, gas and oilsands industries in Alberta, with an approximate value of $28.4 billion. As the Gateway to the North, most of the goods and services needed for the oilsands projects are either fabricated in or flow through Edmonton. Product extracted from the oilsands also returns to the Edmonton area, to our refineries and pipeline distribution networks."
      Erdman is quick to point out that the area is also home to a thriving agribusiness and food industry and, like Vancouver, hosts its share of call centers -- around 160 at last count, including the new catalogue sales call facility belonging to Quality Call Center Solutions Inc., a division of upscale retailer Neiman Marcus Direct. The center will employ up to 500 people during peak periods. Neiman Marcus officials cited the available skilled and educated work force, reliable telecommunication infrastructure and the attractive quality of life as key factors in their decision.
      The Edmonton International Airport is seeing its own surge. Earlier this year, Canada 3000 announced an increase in its flights into and out of the capital city from 16 to 50 each week. As Klein noted then, "The company president explained the changes by saying, 'Where's the place you need air travel going in the future? It's Edmonton. This is the biggest industrial expansion in the history of North America, and it's happening in Northern Alberta.' "