The City of Saskatoon is partnering with SREDA to help local businesses navigate growth.

SREDA’s Director of Business Expansion, Ashley Dean, says ‘Gateway’ gives businesses a single point of contact for all their development needs, reducing red tape and avoiding miscommunications.

“Funneling all of that though one group really helps with the transparency on both sides. I think it keeps both the City and companies accountable to the permit submission, review, and approval process.”

For successful applicants, SREDA will conduct a discovery call to collect details. They then put forward an info package to the City, collect feedback from the impacted departments, and then help the business obtain the required permits.

She adds that the service was a direct response to a call for help from the business community.

“We took note of the business sentiment around red tape and the regulatory burdens of building and development in our city. Through interviews with business stakeholders, we heard stories of miscommunication, misinformation, and ultimately time and money lost.”

However, the service is not for everyone. Dean says projects involving mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and life sciences will take the focus. Applying businesses must meet two of three criteria: willing to invest at least $500,000 in the project, construction or leasing of at least 5,000 square feet, or the creation of 10 or more new jobs.

She adds that Gateway will only have capacity for about four or five projects at first, but that will expand with time.

Those who are interested can head to SREDA.com and reach out to anyone on the team.