SEDA, with the support of PrairiesCan and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Trade and Export Development, is implementing a two-year investment readiness and activation program called the Saskatchewan Investment Readiness Initiative (SIRI). Working within five designated geographic project areas, SEDA is assessing economic development and investment attraction opportunities in the targeted sectors of agri-value, manufacturing, minerals and energy. 

Data Collection & Analysis  January 2025 to December 2025

• Primary Research: 134 communities (40% of 340 municipalities located within the project scope) were engaged via a virtual interview and/or digital readiness assessment survey. 52 virtual interviews with businesses were also conducted. Outreach to the 42 First Nations within the project scope is currently underway.
• Secondary Research: Population and demographic data projections were utilized along with workforce and economic trends, to inform a SWOT analysis and identification of potential investment attraction targets and associated economic development strategies.
• Deliverables: Preliminary assessment reports for the five geographical areas have been prepared and distributed to the 340 municipalities. In addition, 9 micro-regions (inter-community collaborations) were identified within the project scope and individual assessment reports prepared and shared with communities in these micro-regions. A summary Capacity Assessment of Rural Economic Development (CARE) Index has been developed, providing an indicator of rural investment readiness.

Action Plan Development and Implementation September 2025 to December 2026

Based on the preliminary assessment reports,  SEDA will work with inter-community collaboratives to develop an action plan, and provide capacity to assist in implementing those plans. Industry engagement will continue during this phase.

Investment Readiness Capacity Building January 2025 to December 2026

SIRI will build investment readiness capacity via a series of monthly briefings, targeted meetings, and pathfinding. A tax incentive database is being developed as well as other tools to support communities in ramping up their readiness quotient.

Download our monthly Strategies for Success Briefs:

• February 2025 Are you investment ready?
• March 2025 Is it time for CEDS?
• April 2025 Are you taking care of business?
• May 2025 What do clusters have to do with it?
• June 2025 Resilience and Readiness – What’s the Connection?
• July-August 2025 Rural Innovation Hubs
• September 2025 The Circular Economy: A Strategic Imperative
• October 2025 Procurement: What Role does it play?

Commercial/Industrial Land Inventory September 2025 to December 2026

The Commercial/Industrial Land Inventory component of this project will gather municipal and First Nation land for sale along with associated site selector data to support the Province of Saskatchewan’s investment attraction initiatives. 

For more information contact:

Jackie Wall

Manager, Special Programs

Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance

tel: 306-205-9712    email: ecdev@seda.ca