Three large energy projects near Edson, Alberta, have created an economic boom for the small town, 200 km west of Edmonton..Edson — population 8,400 — saw a 24% surge in residents with the addition of 2,000 workers staffing the three major construction projects in the energy sector..Contributing to the economic flurry are the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion, a pipeline project from TC Energy and the construction of the $1.5 billion Cascade Energy Project power plant..Rental vacancies sit at virtually 0% and hotels in and around the area are busting at the seams..“Quite booked up is an understatement,” said Lillian Nero, front desk attendant at Edson’s Best Western High Road Inn..Nero said the town has been bustling for the better part of a year, but in the last few months they have had to “frequently turn people away.”.“We’re so full that people often have to move on to check hotels in Wildwood or Hinton,” said Nero. who added she’s heard people are opting to sleep in their vehicles..Another front desk clerk at the Aries Motel said with the exception of the Christmas break, the town is usually “mostly full.”.Edson’s mayor, Kevin Zahara, told the CBC the bustling economic activity has overall been a “hugely beneficial thing for our community.”.“Our hotels are packed — we have 0% rental vacancy available,” Zahara said..Zahara said the downsides that have come from the boom in population — especially for those already experiencing homelessness — include a negative impact on traffic, crime, and lack of available housing..Karen Spencer-Miller, Chamber of Commerce president in Edson, also told the CBC she sees great benefits to the community..“If you walk into any local business or local restaurant in town, it’s always full,” said Spencer-Miller, adding companies have been giving their workers “Edson bucks” as a form of Christmas bonuses encouraging support to local businesses..The only downside Spencer-Miller sees is a disruption in supply chains due to the pandemic and recent BC floods..Nero said the downside she sees is for the companies trying to book rooms for their workers on a regular basis. By Tuesday, Nero said the Best Western High Road Inn will again be fully booked for most of January..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
