ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY REPORT Q4 2018 OCT | NOV | DEC

Tara March Business Development Officer [email protected] | 403.357.2398

Sandra Badry Economic Development Officer [email protected] | 403.357.2395 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT a

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

This past year has brought many changes to . The Business Licensing Program is in full swing. We have more than 600 business licenses for the County, which is great news as it indicates the County is growing and thriving. One interesting note is that small businesses have embraced the business license program. The average number of employees per business license is 11. In 2018, more than 100 new businesses opened their doors within Red Deer County, including, but not limited to:

• Best In The West Bakery & Café • Total Fire Solutions Inc. • Hilltop Wedding Center • Alternative Landscape Solutions • Calecorp International Ltd. • Red Hart Brewing Inc. • Udaya Wellness Clinic Inc. • Hurricane Energy Services Ltd. • Total Fire Solutions • Calmont Equipment Ltd. • Hanson Architects • Parkland Audio • Valve Pro Services Corp • Party City • Crunch West Inc. • Simba Transload Ltd. • Clearwell Oilfield Solutions Inc.

With the completion of the QE2 interchange around Gasoline Alley, Red Deer County has responded to the needs of travellers by partnering with Alberta Transportation. A five-acre Partnership Rest Stop has been constructed at the northwest corner of QE2 and Highway 42 ( overpass) called “Junction 42.” This rest area is paved and has lighting and washrooms for the highway travellers. Immediate future plans for Junction 42 consist of a major truck stop with cardlock, restaurants and electric plug-ins. Work continues on the 282-acre County-owned Junction 42 lands. It is envisioned that the development will take 30-plus years to build out, and will ultimately become as large an employment base as Gasoline Alley, as well as providing much needed commercial and industrial tax dollars for the County. Red Deer County is very excited about the future prospects Junction 42 holds.

Q4 - NEW BUSINESSES: 19 INCLUDING NEW HOME-BASED BUSINESSES: 2

Q4 2018 INFRASTRUCTURE investment a

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT

2019 will see capital expenditures return to traditional levels from higher than normal expenditures during the preceding three years.

Key initiatives for 2019 include: • Bridge reconstruction • Range Road 280 south of Penhold • Township Road 350 southeast of Innisfail • Range Road 43 west of • Liberty Avenue (north Gasoline Alley) • Big Bend Airport Upgrades • Old Highway 21 to • Township Road 370 (west) • Junction 42 Utility Installation • Transit & Shelters • Red Deer Regional Airport Improvements

Engineering and Pre-construction • McKenzie Road and Range Road 273 (40 Avenue) Roundabout • Lake Street Urbanization (Gasoline Alley) • Lantern Street Widening & Liberty Avenue Roundabout (Gasoline Alley)

Other projects that Administration continues to work on in support of the County’s “Economic Development Strategy,” include:

• Strengthening partnerships: Working with other municipal economic development officers by participating in regional collaboration and engagement through the Economic Partnership and Access Prosperity initiatives. • Website: Red Deer County is very excited to announce the launch of a new Economic Development website: www.growrdcounty.ca • Connectivity and broadband: Participating in the CAEP Regional Broadband and Preparedness Study. • Agricultural development: Ongoing exploration to develop a year-round producers market in the County. Participation in the Innisfail Trade Show as well as the Agri-Trade Equipment Expo. • Renewable Energy: Working with Saturn Power, undertaking transmission and connectivity studies for a proposed future 20 MW project at the Red Deer Airport. • Tourism Development. Supporting local business in attending a Tourism Support Startup Seminar. • Business Visitation Program: Forming relationships with local businesses to create a better understanding of the types of businesses the County has, and to learn how best to serve them.

Q4 2018 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY REPORT Q4 2018 OCT | NOV | DEC

2018 BUILDING STATISTICS/AREA 2018 HOUSING STARTS

Q1: 48 Q2: 51 Q3: 37 Q4: 19

YTD: 155

Red Deer Areas (1, 2, 9, 10)

West of QE2 (5, 6, 7, 8, 11)

East of QE2 (3, 4)

BUILDING STATISTICS Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 YTD

Dwellings $ 7,960,799.35 $ 14,418,598.53 $11,929,293.00 $4,461,377.45 $38,770,068.33

Res Other $ 690,500.00 $ 2,146,550.00 $2,929,47.00 $900,300.00 $6,666,397.00

Demolition $ 12,500.00 - $12,000.00 $5,000.00 $29,500.00

Commercial $ 11,871,600.00 $ 12,372,993.29 $7,352,00.00 $21,594,192.00 $53,077,048.42

TOTAL $ 20,535,399.35 $ 28,938,141.82 $22,222.340.00 $26,960,869.45 $98,543,013.75

RED DEER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VISION:

To actively encourage business growth that contributes to sustainable prosperity for the County and its community partners and that protects the region’s values, strengths and livability.