Town of Coaldale recognized by Invest Alberta for driving economic growth and investment

Posted on August 1, 2025 by Sunny South News

Town of Coaldale

Mayor Jack Van Rijn accepted a prestigious Belt Buckle Award from Invest Alberta on July 9, 2025, during its Invest Alberta Breakfast and Partner Showcase, held at the SAM Centre in Calgary. He was joined at the event by Cameron Mills, the town’s Director of Growth and Investment and Deputy CAO. 

The award recognizes the Town of Coaldale’s outstanding leadership in facilitating foreign direct investment and economic development in Alberta. In particular, it celebrates the town’s swift and collaborative efforts to bring the $222 million NewCold cold storage facility to Coaldale, the largest private investment in the community’s history. 

In presenting the award, Invest Alberta shared the following. 

“When investors are choosing where to grow, timing and certainty matter, and Coaldale delivered. Under Mayor Van Rijn’s leadership, the town rezoned land and approved a critical rail spur, all within just seven days. That kind of speed and responsiveness is exactly what sets Alberta apart. This project secured a new cold storage facility, local jobs, and long-term economic opportunity for the region. Thank you, Mayor Jack Van Rijn and the Coaldale team.” 

While the award was presented to Mayor Van Rijn, he emphasized that the honour is shared by the entire Coaldale team. 

“I accepted this award on behalf of our unified Town Council and Administration,” said Van Rijn. “This recognition reflects the trust, collaboration, and shared commitment that exists between council and staff. It’s a testament to what can be accomplished when we work together with purpose and focus.” 

The NewCold facility, now complete and operational, has already generated over 50 permanent jobs and up to 200 construction positions. Strategically located within Canada’s Premier Food Corridor, the fully automated cold storage warehouse boosts regional export capacity while supporting Alberta’s growing agri-food sector. The facility also features proprietary cold storage technology that is 50 percent more energy efficient than traditional systems. 

The project’s success was made possible through the combined efforts of the Town of Coaldale, Invest Alberta, and the Government of Alberta. It included key infrastructure developments such as upgraded CPKC rail connectivity, positioning Coaldale as a critical hub for export and logistics.