AB-2025-05490 - RFP-25-014 Prairie Gateway Advocacy Support Final

This Statement of Work defines the roles, responsibilities, deliverables, and terms for a third-party consultant engaged by The City of Calgary and Rocky View County. Although the City and County currently coordinate on their own “in-house” government relations efforts, there are limitations to this approach. The consultant will provide third-party advocacy services for infrastructure funding and regulatory support to enable the implementation of the Prairie Economic Gateway initiative. The consultant will promote the initiative to provincial and federal governments, facilitate meetings with key officials, and support the communications necessary to deliver an advocacy strategy that allows the City and County to ensure that necessary infrastructure is funded appropriately.

A2. Project Overview / Background The Prairie Economic Gateway is a strategic collaboration between the City of Calgary and Rocky View County aimed at establishing a state-of-the-art inland logistics hub. This initiative seeks to enhance regional transportation infrastructure, including rail, road, and air networks, to facilitate the efficient movement of goods and people. Central to the project is the development of a 2,190-acre industrial park with direct rail access, connecting Calgary to major trade corridors across North America. Prairie Economic Gateway is projected to generate over $7 billion in economic activity and create more than 30,000 jobs over the next 10 to 12 years.

A3. Objectives The primary objectives for engaging third-party advocacy support are to complement existing in-house efforts to:
 Secure Infrastructure Funding: Obtain provincial and federal financial commitments to support the development of essential infrastructure, including roads and utilities, integral to Prairie Gateway’s success.
 Enhance Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with government officials, industry leaders, and community stakeholders to garner broad support for the initiative.
 Promote Economic and Environmental Benefits: Advocate for Prairie Gateway's role in boosting regional economic growth, job creation, and its alignment with sustainability goals, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions through increased rail transport of goods.
 Facilitate Policy Alignment: Work with government bodies to ensure that policies and regulations support the timely and efficient development of Prairie Gateway.
 Monitor and Report Progress: Provide regular updates on advocacy efforts, funding negotiations, and stakeholder engagement activities to ensure transparency and accountability.