How will this pilot project attract potential investment new business to Beaumont?

As mentioned above, the ELA pilot project is just one part of our economic development strategy. There is considerable research showing that when governments invest in innovation and projects like this, there is on average a 20+ percent return on investment. That return can be realized in many ways (jobs, earned media coverage, learnings/knowledge, etc.).

We also know that during the ‘smaller,’ shorter and less ‘ground-breaking’ deployments of ELA, there were thousands of riders and public interest. With our pilot project in Beaumont being over a six-month duration, we anticipate visitors to Beaumont to experience this new technology, and that means experiencing our community and visiting the Beaumont businesses.

There are also early plans for a conference later this year in the region that will bring national and international players in the autonomous transportation sector to the Edmonton region. Beaumont’s project is expected to be a key feature and highlight of such a conference. These large companies, leaders in the industry and interested investors will learn about Beaumont, and we are ready to work with them.

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1. What is the linkage between the ELA Pilot Project and Beaumont’s Economic Development initiatives?
2. How will this pilot project create jobs?
3. How will this pilot project attract potential investment new business to Beaumont?