Economic Development Regina
Guided by the City of Regina’s Official Community Plan, Economic Development Regina (EDR) provides leadership for economic growth to the City of Regina and the community, with specific accountability for the following core functions:
- Support industry growth and diversification through retention, development and attraction of business and tourism.
- Find innovative ways to support the community in sustaining growth while effectively addressing the challenges of growth.
- Market and promote the Greater Regina Area for business and tourism.
- Ensure the Greater Regina Area prospers as a vibrant and diversified economy for investors, is a strong destination experience for visitors and a place of choice with a high quality of life for residents.
EDR is incorporated as a not-for-profit municipal corporation of the City of Regina. City Council’s directed mandate for the organization is:
- Create and implement an economic development strategy to grow and sustain prosperity in the city and region.
- Encourage the retention, development, attraction and growth of business and tourism products and services for those who live, work, visit, and invest in the city and region.
- Market and promote the city and region for business and tourism.
The Board of Directors of EDR is appointed by City Council based upon the recommendations from EDR, which are grounded in creating a broad and influential representation of economic and tourism interests of the region. The organization is funded through an annual grant from the City of Regina. This core funding is supplemented by significant other financial resources including:
- Industry investment;
- Fee for service contracts;
- Grants from other levels of government.
Tourism Regina
Tourism Regina, a branch within the City of Regina administration, leads the marketing of Regina as a tourist destination and promotes the development and growth of the City’s tourism industry. We are focused on attracting day and overnight visitors to the City, by promoting our family friendly attractions, and being the best event hosts in Canada. We will increase tourism revenues by supporting industry in the development and delivery of remarkable experiences.
Regina Exhibition Association Limited
Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) operates a 100-acre campus, REAL District, located moments away from the downtown core. REAL District is home to:
- Mosaic Stadium and the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
- The Regina Pats, who have played on the property for more than 100 years and call the Brandt Centre home.
- The Queensbury Convention Centre, a 42,000 sq. ft. flexible space for conventions, conferences, weddings, trade shows, meetings and more.
- The recently renamed AffinityPlex, a 90,000 sq. ft. with a regulation indoor soccer field and flexibility to host trade shows, conferences, gala dinners and more.
- The six-rink hockey arena, the Co-operators Centre, which hosts tournaments almost every weekend generating considerable tourism and economic benefit.
- The Viterra International Trade Centre (VITC), which is the new home for the Canadian Western Agribition, major trade shows, conferences and other events of all shapes and sizes.
- Two signature events, Queen City Ex and Canada’s Farm Show, which bring our community together at REAL District as we showcase the best Regina has to offer.
REAL has evolved into an organization that operates and maintains the community’s hub of events and entertainment. REAL began operating as a not-for-profit municipal corporation in 2014 with oversight from a volunteer Board of Directors appointed by Council. The City of Regina owns the lands and assets of REAL District that REAL operates on behalf of the City. Council provides a small annual grant to support its operations. However, the vast majority of REAL’s revenues are generated by the services it provides. REAL operates as a not-for-profit corporation and any surplus profit at year-end is invested in the maintenance and improvement of civic infrastructure at REAL District, all of which is owned by the City of Regina.
The mandate of REAL is to:
a) operate in the best interests of the community and enrich the quality of life for people in the community through the hosting and delivery of local, regional, national, and international events;
b) develop, operate and maintain City and other facilities to provide world-class hospitality for trade, agribusiness, sporting, entertainment and cultural events that bring innovation, enrichment and prosperity to the community; and
c) operate with an entrepreneurial spirit and to pursue expanded business venture that could generate additional revenue.
Regina Downtown Business Improvement District
The Regina Downtown Business Improvement District (RDBID) is an organization that provides a range of business and community services to promote and enhance the Downtown District’s unique assets, to improve conditions for businesses operating in the district, and to improve the quality of life for those who shop, work, live and play downtown. RDBID’s services supplement services provided by the City of Regina.
RDBID programs and services are financed by a special property tax assessment collected from commercial property owners located in the defined boundaries of the Downtown District. This District encompasses 53 blocks bordered by Angus Street to the west, 13th Avenue to the south, Halifax Street to the east, and Saskatchewan Drive to the north. RDBID also extends along Broad Street south to College Avenue.
The special assessments are approved by the Board of Directors of RDBID, which is appointed by Council, and includes a representative from Council.
Regina Warehouse Business Improvement District
Regina Warehouse Business Improvement District (RWBID), commonly known as Regina Warehouse District was established to:
- Promote and enhance the area’s unique buildings and other historical assets
- Enhance business conditions
- Improve the quality of life for those who live in and use the area.
The Warehouse District encompasses 80 blocks from the west side of Albert Street to the east side of Winnipeg Street and north from the CP rail yard to the south side of 4th Avenue. Businesses located within these geographical boundaries are automatically members of the Warehouse District. The RWBID receives operating revenue from an annual levy that is added to all commercial property taxes within the district. This is used to fund RWBID operations, marketing, and general awareness.
Regina Warehouse District represents over 550 businesses, many of which are independently owned and operated and have been in continuous operation for several decades. The Warehouse District provides a wide range of services, including engaging with and advocating on behalf of our member businesses, organizing arts and cultural events, developing green space, streetscaping initiatives, as well as graffiti and litter removal.
Regina Public Library
The Regina Public Library (RPL) is comprised of eight neighbourhood branches and a central library that includes a central children’s library. The programs, services and supports it provides help to build a strong community; one that values knowledge and understanding, and respects and upholds diversity. Regina Public Library seeks to empower the community by providing access to technology, lifelong learning, and diverse cultural and leisure experiences. In addition to an extensive physical collection, the Library offers a digital collection of eBooks, music, television shows and movies that can be streamed, musical instrument lending, a professional-grade digital media studio, virtual reality gaming, an arthouse film theatre, a contemporary art gallery, and more.
RPL is governed by a Board of Directors, which is appointed by Council and includes the Mayor, one other member of Council and several members of the general public.
The Board of Directors of the RPL sets the plan and budget for the Library. They then seek the approval of Council to obtain the resources for their budget through the establishment of a Library Mill Rate, which is included as part of residents’ annual property tax bill. The Library may also apply to Council for additional financial resources to acquire, build, refurbish, equip or maintain a library building.
Regina Police Service
Regina Police Service (RPS) enhances the safety of our city by providing policing services to the residents of Regina and, in partnership with the RCMP, to some of the surrounding region.
RPS is governed by a Board of Police Commissioners, which is appointed by City Council and includes the Mayor and some members of City Council as well as at least one member of the general public. The Police Act of Saskatchewan stipulates that the municipality:
a) is responsible for the maintenance of law and order within its boundaries;
b) shall provide policing services to maintain a reasonable standard of law enforcement; and
c) shall provide adequate and reasonable facilities required for the policing services mentioned in clause (b).
The Board of Police Commissioners is responsible for approving the plans and budget of the RPS. City Council’s role is to approve the funding required by the budget established by the Board of Police Commissioners.
Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation
The Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant provides safe, high quality drinking water to its customers. Located at Buffalo Pound Lake, the Plant provides water to approximately 260,000 customers primarily in Regina and Moose Jaw. Secondary water users include SaskWater, Buffalo Pound Provincial Park and users of the farm water stand located at the Plant.
The Plant operates as a not-for-profit corporation legally known as the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation. The Cities of Moose Jaw and Regina jointly own the Plant (City of Regina: 74%; City of Moose Jaw: 26%) and a Board of Directors governs the Corporation on behalf of the two Cities. The current Board of Directors is comprised of six members who were appointed by the Cities of Regina and Moose Jaw.
The Plant has developed a long-term sustainable asset management plan to ensure high quality water treatment into the future. Based on that plan, the Board has established the rate at which it sells treated water to its customers. In addition to the purchase of water, the Cities are responsible for providing the infrastructure to get the water from the Plant to their residents as well as collecting and treating wastewater.
