Jobs, Economy and Trade Minister Matt Jones, Structural Truss Systems chief executive officer Brent Feyter and Livingstone-Macleod MLA Chelsae Petrovic. The province is investing nearly $1-million in Structural Truss System’s new facility through the Investment and Growth Fund.
The provincial government on Friday announced it is investing in a Fort Macleod business and the local economy.
Jobs, Economy and Trade Minister Matt Jones delivered nearly $1-million to Structural Truss Systems through the province’s Investment and Growth Fund.
“The funds that are being provided will help them expand their business as they invest $28.5-million into a new facility that will create 33 permanent and 12 temporary jobs for Albertans,” Jones said.
Jones and Livingstone-Macleod MLA Chelsae Petrovic announced the funding Friday during a news conference at the company’s facility in Fort Macleod.
“Structural Truss, or STS, has been an anchor of the local business community for decades,” Jones said.
The nearly $1-million from the Investment and Growth Fund will help Structural Truss Systems Ltd. open a new 180,000 sq. ft. facility on the west end of Fort Macleod.
Structural Truss was established in 1981 in Fort Macleod and designs and manufactures engineered building systems such as roof trusses, open-web floor truss systems, prefabricated wall panels and laminated posts.
Construction of the new facility is to start soon and be manufacture-ready by the end of 2024 and will house a training facility for new employees with the company.
“As the minister of jobs, economy and trade I look forward to our continuing partnership,” Jones said.
Jones said the investment demonstrates the government’s commitment to economic growth.
“We recognize that job creation of any size is beneficial to the local community,” Jones said. “What we also see is the more investment we get in an area, the more investment we can attract. That’s why we have programs like the Investment and Growth Fund, which rewards job creators.”
Jones said every $1-million in Investment and Growth funding generates about $70-million in spending in Alberta.
To ensure investment takes places in rural areas, a rural stream was added to the Investment and Growth Fund in 2022.
That rural stream has supported projects in Medicine Hat, Stony Plain and Lethbridge County.
“We are very excited to add Fort Macleod to that list,” Jones said.
Chief executive officer Brent Feyter said Structural Truss Systems and Forma Steel have outgrown the production capacity of its present facilities in Fort Macleod.
“A new facility is required to ensure both companies keep growing safely and effectively,” Feyter said. “The new facility will more than double plant size.”
Feyter acknowledged his father and mother, Frans and Stiena Feyter, who entrusted their children with carrying on the business established more than 40 years ago.
“It’s been an immense pleasure to be able to do this with you,” Feyter said.
Feyter also credited the leadership team and more than 220 employees who have helped the companies grow, as well as partnership and contractors who provide support.
Feyter, who is mayor of Fort Macleod, also thanked the municipality for its support.
“We very much believe we have a partner in the Town of Fort Macleod in promoting an helping to grow business,” Feyter said.
The town supports business through its tax incentive, involvement with the Chamber of Commerce, and providing for residential and industrial development.
Fort Macleod has been a great rural community in which to do business,” Feyter said.
Feyter said the province’s involvement through the Investment and Growth Fund is important.
“The provincial government’s investment in this new manufacturing facility is testament to a province that supports the growth and attraction of business,” Feyter said.
Petrovic also welcomed the news of Structural Truss Systems’ plans for expansion.
“Fort Macleod is part of a vibrant and growing area of the province,” Petrovic said. “An investment such as this is positive proof that we have much to be proud of, and much to look forward to here in Livingstone-Macleod.”
