User:Jellyco/sandbox

The Global Transportation Hub is a world-class transportation and logistics enterprise located at the west end of Regina, Saskatchewan in the heart of Western Canada. The GTH, dubbed “Saskatchewan’s Gateway to the World”, is strategically located within Canada’s Asia Pacific Gateway and provides centralized access to global supply chains to enhance market reach for clients. Within a day’s drive is a market of 60 million consumers and within two day’s is a market of over 270 million. It is designed to help suppliers and retailers efficiently move their products throughout the country and around the world.

The GTH provides rail access to all major Canadian ports, Gulf Coast ports and mid-western U.S. trans-shipment points, as well as trucking connections to all major networks including the Trans-Canada, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Chicago and Mexico. Development of the GTH grew out of a desire to build a transportation system that connected Saskatchewan to the rest of the world and the rest of the world to Saskatchewan. As a province with a worldwide reputation as ‘seasoned exporters’, Saskatchewan ships about 75 per cent of what it produces around the world. The GTH provides transportation and logistics support and gives Saskatchewan industries and producers state-of-the-art access to export markets.

Transition to Inland Port
On November 28, 2012, the Government of Saskatchewan introduced Bill No. 81 – The Global Transportation Authority Act - in the Legislature, moving control of the development and operation of the Global Transportation Hub from municipal to provincial jurisdiction to further support the business success of GTH clients. The new act will streamline governance and formalize responsibilities and ownership of infrastructure assets within the GTH footprint. The new legislation will also help to transition the GTH into a full inland port operation to further grow Saskatchewan warehousing, transportation and logistics sectors.

Anchor Clients
The project began with a commitment by Canadian Pacific Railway in late 2007, when CP became an anchor client of the GTH, announcing it would upgrade and relocate its intermodal facility from downtown Regina to the GTH site. It completed the first-phase of its 300 acre development in January 2013, which will increase its lift capacity from 40,000 to 250,000 annually.

In August 2008, the GTH’s second anchor client – Loblaw Companies Ltd. – announced plans to build a one million square foot warehouse and distribution centre valued at about $250 million, and in close proximity to CP’s IMF. Loblaw completed phase I, II, and III of its 85-acre development in 2011 and 2012. Two major transportation companies – the Yanke Group of Companies and Consolidated Fastfrate have since joined the GTH site, along with Regina’s new curbside recycling company the Emterra Group of Companies (13-acre project) and the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (15-acre project). Additional clients are expected to join the GTH in 2013.

Serviced Land and Infrastructure
The GTH offers competitively priced land that is available immediately, including leasing options. In 2012, the GTH completed a $32.8 million capital investment project which developed 425 acres of serviced land  for sale which features four kilometers of roadways and asphalt paving, water and sanitary sewer lines, site-grading and storm channel construction. Installation of gas, power and communication services has also been completed.

The GTH is also influencing surrounding infrastructure to allow for access in and out of the hub to be effortless. The GTH is strategically positioned between two national highway systems – Highways #1 and #11 – and is located next to the Canadian Pacific main line.

Single Point of Contact
As the lead agency and single point of contact, the GTH team will connect the right people and information to quickly move their clients from design concept to start up operations. The combined efforts of the GTH allow for efficient, fast and tailored solutions for client developments. The GTH positions clients to achieve a return on investment goals quickly.

Experience Value
The GTH is designed to help companies in the transportation, logistics and supply chain businesses experience value through:
 * Reaching customers;
 * Accelerating the Return On Investment;
 * Increasing Productivity; and,
 * Reducing Business Risk.

Greenfield Location
The GTH is an opportunity to develop a customized solution for transportation and logistics needs. As a true greenfield operation, the GTH has the following benefits:
 * Flexibility and natural synergies with hub clients;
 * A coordinated long-term vision for the hub with unlimited growth potential, and,
 * A strategic partnership aligned to deliver supporting infrastructure.

The Saskatchewan Advantage
Saskatchewan continues to experience unprecedented economic growth and all forecasts indicate that the province will lead the nation in GDP growth for several years to come. Capital investment in the province is projected to increase to a record level of $20.2 billion in 2012. To foster and manage the expanding economy, the provincial government created the “Saskatchewan Plan for Growth.”

The Plan envisions Saskatchewan becoming a global leader in exports. There are new investments in infrastructure, knowledge and innovation – both public and private – that will propel the province into this leadership position. The GTH will play an instrumental role in enabling domestic and international trade. The Government of Saskatchewan will also undertake six core activities to foster economic growth and address the challenges of growth:
 * Investing in the infrastructure required for growth;
 * Educating, training and developing a skilled workforce;
 * Ensuring the ongoing competitiveness of Saskatchewan’s economy;
 * Supporting increased trade, investment and exports through international engagement;
 * Advancing Saskatchewan’s natural resource strengths, particularly through innovation, to build the next economy; and,
 * Ensuring fiscal responsibility through balanced budgets, lower debt and smaller, more efficient government.

Largest Population Increase
Today, strong economic growth is contributing to the largest population increase the province has experienced since 1921:
 * In the past year, Saskatchewan’s population rose by 22,154 – the largest increase since Statistics Canada started keeping annual figures in 1921 – meaning the province has grown by nearly 80,000 people in just five years;
 * Saskatchewan’s population is expected to reach 1.1 million by the end of 2013; and,
 * Saskatchewan’s vision includes 1.2 million people by 2020.