Government funding for Fort Macleod facility expansion promises to create jobs

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on November 11, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade Matt Jones announced Friday an investment in Fort Macleod that will help boost the economy and create valuable jobs for Albertans.

The government of Alberta is boasting an investment-friendly environment by bringing in pro-growth policies, including the job creation tax cut and reducing red tape. The result is a growing economy that is attracting investment, including that from Structural Truss, a design and manufacturing company, said Jones.

“Structural Truss or STS has been an anchor of the local business community for decades, and today I’m pleased to announce nearly $1 million from Alberta’s Investment in Growth Fund known as the IGF, to help STS expand their operations by opening a fourth facility in Fort Macleod,” said Jones.

Structural Truss is investing $28.5 million into a new Fort Macleod facility, strengthening the regional economy and creating 33 permanent and 12 temporary jobs.

“The IGF support also demonstrates our government’s commitment to economic growth, because investment anywhere in Alberta benefits all Albertans, said Jones. “In fact, for every $1 million in IGF grants awarded, about $70 million is expected to be spent in the province contributing to Alberta’s overall prosperity. And to ensure areas outside of our major city centres continue to attract investment, the Alberta government added a rural stream to the IGF in 2022.”

The Investment and Growth Fund is designed to be offered in select late-stage investment discussions by six intake partners. Recent investments supported by Investment and Growth Fund funding include Southland Trailers expanding its operations and doubling its production capacity in Lethbridge County, creating 253 permanent and 25 construction jobs.

The Alberta-based Structural Truss Systems was established in 1981 in Fort Macleod. The company designs and manufactures engineered building systems such as roof trusses, open-web floor truss systems, prefabricated wall panels and laminated posts.

The new 180,000-square-foot facility is projected to be manufacture-ready by the end of 2024 and will house a training facility to ensure Albertans have the skills they need to gain meaningful employment with the company.

“The Alberta government’s support for our new production facility is a big boost for doing business in a small rural Alberta community,” said Brent Feyter, CEO of Structural Truss Systems. “Since our early beginnings in the 1980s, it has been incredibly rewarding and exciting to see our operations’ growth, alongside the growth of Fort Macleod. This expansion means we can better support our customers, our employees and, most of all, continue growing in our local community.”

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