Syncrude is moving around 300 of their employees off site and into downtown.

The oil company is opening a new office on Hardin Street as their Mildred Lake building is nearing the end of its intended life span.

Spokesperson Will Gibson tells Mix News they thought this would be a good opportunity to help out a struggling downtown.

“It’s important to note we see this as an opportunity to provide support to the downtown businesses… that’s 300 more people having lunches, doing a little shopping downtown rather than being at site for the entire day.”

The RMWB has been trying to encourage businesses to stay and move to the Lower Townsite. They’ve been helping owners upgrade their property through different grants.

This is just one initiative they’re undertaking as more people choose to live and work north of the Athabasca Bridge.

For Syncrude, they see moving downtown as a win-win.

“We’re taking advantage of leasing in Fort McMurray because it provides benefits to both Syncrude and the local economy.”

The office, which will be across from Peter Pond Mall and Boomtown Casino, is expected to be ready for the employees this spring.