CGC opens $210-million Wheatland County wallboard plant, creating nearly 100 jobs
CGC opened a $210-million Wheatland County wallboard plant producing Sheetrock, creating nearly 100 jobs and bolstering Alberta’s construction supply chain.
Canada’s largest gypsum-board manufacturer officially opened a $210-million wallboard manufacturing plant in Wheatland County on Wednesday, marking a major expansion of domestic drywall production. The new facility, operated by CGC Inc. with backing from its U.S. parent USG, will produce Sheetrock brand wallboard for residential, commercial and infrastructure projects across Canada. Company officials and local leaders said the plant strengthens regional manufacturing capacity and adds close to 100 full-time jobs to the local economy.
Investment and scale of the project
The Wheatland County facility represents one of the largest single investments in wallboard manufacturing by CGC in recent years. The company said the plant cost $210 million to build and is equipped to meet growing demand across multiple construction sectors. CGC and USG framed the project as a long-term commitment to North American manufacturing and supply resilience for gypsum-based building materials.
The plant’s scale is intended to reduce lead times for Canadian builders and contractors by increasing domestic output of Sheetrock, a widely specified brand in construction projects. Company executives emphasized that local production will help manage logistics and support faster deliveries to Alberta and neighbouring provinces.
Jobs and local economic impact
CGC and USG estimate the new plant has created nearly 100 full-time positions, spanning production, maintenance, logistics and administrative roles. Local officials said these jobs will have multiplier effects for the area, supporting service businesses and regional supply chains. Wheatland County Reeve Scott Klassen described the opening as a “strong sign of confidence” in the region and highlighted expected long-term benefits for the local economy.
Beyond direct employment, the facility is expected to generate work for transport companies, equipment suppliers and building trades through increased material flows. County leaders noted that the plant complements broader economic development efforts aimed at attracting manufacturing investment to the corridor east of Calgary.
Government support and policy context
The Government of Alberta contributed $3.7 million to the project through its Investment and Growth Fund, a provincial program designed to attract and scale private-sector investment. Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration, Joseph Schow, said the funding reflects the province’s strategy to foster a business environment attractive to manufacturers. Officials pointed to factors such as available land, a competitive tax environment and regulatory certainty as reasons companies are choosing to expand in Alberta.
Provincial support was presented as catalytic rather than covering project costs, intended to leverage private investment and generate broader economic returns. Municipal and provincial representatives also touted the plant as an example of public-private collaboration to strengthen industrial capacity in the region.
Production, products and market role
The Wheatland facility will manufacture Sheetrock brand wallboard, a gypsum-based panel used widely in drywall assemblies for homes, commercial buildings and infrastructure projects. CGC stressed that domestic production helps address supply chain vulnerabilities that emerged in recent years, while providing product consistency for contractors specifying Sheetrock materials. The plant’s output is expected to serve customers across Alberta and other Canadian markets.
Company representatives noted potential flexibility to adjust production in response to market demand and seasonal construction cycles. The plant adds redundancy to North American production networks, which industry participants said is increasingly important for project scheduling and cost predictability.
Corporate history and ownership
CGC Inc., founded in Nova Scotia in 1907, is Canada’s longest-established manufacturer of gypsum-based building products. The company and its U.S. affiliate USG are now part of the Knauf Group, the global building-materials conglomerate that completed a merger with USG in 2019. Executives positioned the Wheatland investment as one of the most significant wallboard manufacturing undertakings in the companies’ recent histories.
USG president and chief executive Chris Macey described the project as a milestone and highlighted the strategic importance of expanding manufacturing footprints in North America. The acquisition and integration under Knauf have reshaped global gypsum manufacturing capacity, and the Wheatland plant is one of several investments aimed at consolidating supply chains on the continent.
Community reaction and next steps
Local leaders and industry stakeholders said the plant’s opening sends a positive signal to other potential investors considering the Calgary-area industrial corridor. Officials emphasized that the facility will help diversify the regional economy and provide steady employment opportunities. Company and government representatives said they will monitor the plant’s ramp-up closely and engage with local workforce development initiatives to ensure staffing needs are met.
CGC indicated the facility will begin regular production cycles immediately, with hiring and supplier contracting continuing as the plant reaches full capacity. Stakeholders said they expect the new plant to contribute to more stable supply and pricing for gypsum board in Canadian construction markets.
The Wheatland plant reflects a broader push to strengthen domestic manufacturing of construction materials while supporting regional job creation and economic growth.
