Feds Give $1.5 Million For Port Alberta

EDMONTON - The federal government has anted up $1.5 million to help launch Edmonton's Port Alberta project.

Western Economic Diversification Minister Rona Ambrose said developing Edmonton as a major inland trade and transportation hub is one of her priorities, and the money will help fund an industry-led council to bring it to reality.

The goal of the initiative led by Edmonton Airports, Edmonton Economic Development Corp., and Edmonton Chamber of Commerce is to develop a major warehousing and air, road and rail distribution hub linking Asia and North America through the port of Prince Rupert.

Prince Rupert's new container port, which opened last September, is 58 hours closer to Shanghai than any other North American port.

Edmonton Airports CEO Reg Milley said Edmonton is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the "tsunami" of trade coming from China to North America.

The new funding is vital in the international airport becoming a key cargo processing centre capable of hosting multiple modes of transportation, he said.

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