$210 million wallboard plant coming to rural Alberta

WHEATLAND COUNTY, ALTA. — CGC Inc., the Canadian division of USG Corporation, plans to construct a $210-million wallboard manufacturing plant in Wheatland County.

Work on the plant is expected to start next year.

“Our customers in Western Canada have said they want a more efficient way to access our CGC wallboard products they’ve been buying for over 100 years. Shipping our products from eastern Canadian or American manufacturing plants no longer meets their growing demand,” said Chris Griffin, president and CEO of USG Corporation, in a press release. “Which is why I am thrilled to announce our plans for a brand new CGC wallboard plant in Wheatland County, Alta. — a cutting-edge facility that will deliver our industry-leading Sheetrock® brand wallboard to our customers across Western Canada, helping them build faster, smarter and more sustainably.”

CGC explained it chose Wheatland County because of the immediate economic benefits offered by local and regional governments, as well as long-term growth opportunities thanks to its close proximity to Calgary.

In 2021, Wheatland County Council approved Bylaw 2021-23, making Wheatland County one of the first municipalities in Alberta to implement a municipal property tax incentive.

The province and Invest Alberta worked with CGC for more than a year on the project and will provide $3.74 million from the Investment and Growth Fund to support the expansion.

“An unprecedented diversification of our economy is happening,” said Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. “This investment by CGC to build a wallboard manufacturing plant in Wheatland County is proof of that, with more great news for Alberta’s economic recovery.”

CGC noted it is aiming for high environmental standards.

For example, the Wheatland plant’s electricity needs will be powered by renewable energy through an onsite solar power farm. Additionally, this will be the company’s first plant in Canada built with the technology to manufacture USG Sheetrock Brand EcoSmart Panels, which require up to 25 per cent less water and 20 per cent less CO2 to produce than traditional wallboard.