For the past eight years, Grande Prairie has ranked in the top six of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’ annual report on entrepreneurial cities. After rising to number 4 in 2015, the Swan City has fallen to 31.
The best places to start and grow businesses are ranked on characteristics like business start-up rates, levels of optimism, and help from local governments. This year only one Alberta spot made the top 25.
GP dropped 8.5 points to 62.3 out of 100 on entrepreneurial presence, perspective and policy. It ranked fourth in entrepreneurial policy in mid-sized cities. Grande Prairie is still the third highest ranked Alberta city, behind Calgary’s periphery in 23rd and Camrose in 27th.
Calgary’s surrounding communities were ranked number one last year, replaced this year by Collingwood, Ontario. Four communities in that province made the top 10.