Eight Calgary-area municipalities are joining forces to compete for global investment dollars, launching Invest Greater Calgary as a three-year pilot project that puts regional cooperation ahead of local competition. The partnership includes Calgary, Airdrie, Chestermere, Cochrane, High River, Okotoks, Foothills County and Rocky View County—all working together under an agreement hosted by Calgary Economic Development.

Rather than each community going it alone, the municipalities will pool their resources to present a unified pitch to investors. The collaboration focuses on four main areas: regional research, marketing, investor support, and program development. "This partnership shows the power of municipalities working as one to compete globally and act locally," said Bonnie Nunnari, who's leading the initiative as Interim Lead of the IGC Secretariat.

The municipalities are splitting costs based on their size and property values, with extra funding coming from provincial and federal grants. Each community keeps its own local economic development efforts while gaining access to shared data, coordinated marketing, and a broader reach with investors. The initiative ties into Calgary's broader economic strategy and reflects a growing trend of regional partnerships worldwide as communities band together to attract major investment.