STOP AT NOTHING. Flagstaff Region Investment Guide

www.StopAtNothing.ca WELCOME TO THE FLAGSTAFF REGION

Located two hours southeast of , the Flagstaff taxes on a $100,000 assessment is approximately $1,362, Region and the 10 communities within it (population 8,361) while average commercial taxes on a $100,000 assessment thrive on their strong energy and agriculture sectors. The is approximately $2,537. The average household income for centerpiece of the Region’s energy sector is the the Region is lower than the provincial average, but is offset Hub, where much of ’s oil production converges for by a lower cost of living. When combined with affordable transportation to North American energy markets. More housing options, this leaves more disposable income in the than a million acres of cultivated cropland drive agricultural hands of residents — supporting dynamic, vibrant retail and productivity in the Region. A vast groundwater aquifer offers business services sectors. potential to expand both of these industries. Quality of life is increased by a variety of recreation facilities and 130 The Flagstaff Region allows room to grow your business kilometres of natural, undeveloped river valley. or invest, with undeveloped, affordable commercial and industrial lands that offer abundant highway and rail access. The Flagstaff Region offers affordable housing options, Our legacy of prosperity comes from our classic Albertan an overall lower cost of living, and lower business costs roots, meaning connections made in the Flagstaff Region are compared to larger urban centres. A skilled workforce as significant as the lands are wide. We are resilient, proud, drives enterprise productivity, with 38 percent of workers friendly, and entrepreneurial, working together to nurture new possessing a post-secondary trade or university certificate, and innovative economic horizons, and pursue a life more diploma, or degree. The average calculation of residential authentically lived.

WHY FLAGSTAFF REGION

Stop At Nothing. That is The Flagstaff local and oil sands energy development, and solar/wind Region mantra for our relentless pursuit power. Available low cost industrial land and an established of entrepreneurial spirit. industry support network are supporting thriving freight trucking, management consulting, machinery and equipment Flagstaff envisions a day when Alberta’s food processing repair, and metal fabrication enterprises that reward brand is world-renowned. The Flagstaff Region is an entrepreneurial initiatives. agricultural leader, with a million acres of farmland producing a wide variety of crops that have potential to be processed Potential for industry is high in the Flagstaff Region, much locally in a low-cost business environment. There are in thanks to access to a vast underground aquifer and opportunities in greenhouses, meat snacks, pulse foods, bulk water stations, competitive wages for skilled labour, ready meals, agricultural services, and craft value-added very affordable housing, openness to consider industry production. A well-established regional supply chain includes development proposals, and competitive business costs. Viterra, Great Northern Grain, and Paterson Grain. Easy market access is available via the Railway, More deeply, the Flagstaff Region is classic Alberta, rooted in CN short-line partner and innovator of the Composite values as stable as bedrock for those who want to pursue a Blending Program. life more authentically lived.

The Region believes in an Alberta that is ’s energy To further explore opportunities, contact leader, achieving a balance between conventional and Kristy Jackson renewable sources, tapping the talented, entrepreneurial Economic Development Officer soul of its people. The Flagstaff Region is a provincial [email protected] distribution hub for the North American oil and gas sector 780-384-4121 via the presence of the Hardisty Energy Hub. There are www.stopatnothing.ca opportunities in bio energy, metal fabrication supporting QUICK FACTS

POPULATION: 8,361 RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES (2014): 3,770 HOUSING STARTS (2015): 32 CONSTRUCTION VALUE (2015): $54.8 Million BATTLE RIVER ALLIANCE FOR AVERAGE RESALE SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSE PRICE (2016): $156,820 ECONOMIC VALUE OF DEVELOPMENT PERMITS (2015): $54.8 million DEVELOPMENT NUMBER OF REGISTERED BUSINESSES (2016): 508 source:

The Region is within easy driving distance from major centres FORT MCMURRAY such as Camrose, Edmonton and Red Deer. Whether it is connecting to Alberta’s abundant natural resources to the north or linking to major markets to the east, west and south, the Flagstaff Region is within reach. MAJOR HIGHWAYS • 75 kilometres east of Camrose • 115 kilometres west of Wainwright HIGH LOAD CORRIDORS • 150 kilometres southeast of Edmonton EASTERN ALBERTA TRADE CORRIDOR • 200 kilometres northeast of Red Deer • 325 kilometres northeast of • 160 kilometres from border • 440 kilometres north of United States border EDMONTON • 550 kilometres south of Fort McMurray

MAJOR ROADWAYS: • convenient access to the Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor (EATC), linking to Mexico. • Highway 36 (part of EATC and the high load corridor FLAGSTAFF north and south) REGION • Highway 53 (E/W trade corridor) • Highway 13 (E/W trade corridor) CALGARY AIRPORTS: • Municipal Airports: Flagstaff Regional Airport and Hardisty Airport • Edmonton International Airport, 150 kilometres away

RAIL: • Canadian Pacific Railway • Short-line (previously Canadian National line)

COURIER: • Full courier services

INTERNET: • High-speed Internet commonly available www.stopatnothing.ca THE FLAGSTAFF REGION AT A GLANCE

VILLAGE OF VILLAGE OF VILLAGE OF ALLIANCE HEISLER LOUGHEED (POPULATION 154) (POPULATION 160) (POPULATION 256)

Situated just off Highway 36 on The Village of Heisler is situated on The Village of Lougheed is located on Secondary Highway 602, the Secondary Highway 855 between Highway 13 between Sedgewick and Village of Alliance is a quaint yet Highways 13 and 53, along the Hardisty, along the Canadian Pacific vibrant community that perches Battle River Railway between Railway. Lougheed has a longstanding atop the hills near the scenic Battle Forestburg and Camrose. Although economic base in agriculture along with River Valley. This community has a small community, Heisler has a a strong retail and energy sector support a long-standing economic base in lot to offer; a sustainable industrial services. This growing community has agriculture and has been a major base, amenities for seniors and a good mix of retail and agri-businesses rail shipping point for grain to world recreational opportunities for offering products and services to Village markets. With oil and gas discovery residents and visitors. Heisler is and area residents. Lougheed is also in the early 1990’s the energy ideal for families, retirees, sport home to the largest population of Mexican industry has added substantially enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs. Mennonites in the Flagstaff Region. To to the area’s economic diversity. The Village offers a favourable accommodate this population as they deal This picturesque Village is ideal for incentive package for development with their new Canadian home, the citizens families, retirees, artists, and tourists. with a signed agreement to of Lougheed have initiated unique and The Village is the starting point of the develop lot within 2 years. It is a ground-breaking events and enterprises to Battle River Railway. great place to set up shop and put ensure a smooth transition to the Region. down roots.

VILLAGE OF FORESTBURG (POPULATION 875)

The Village of Forestburg is located at the junction of Highway 53 and Secondary Highway 856, along the Battle River Railway. The scenic Battle River Valley is only 20 kilometres south and offers both a unique, natural setting and varied recreational opportunities. Forestburg has a healthy business sector that includes agribusiness, trades, energy sector support services, healthcare, professional services, and a strong retail sector that provide products and services to Village residents and nearby communities. The Village is just 15 kilometres northeast of the Diplomat Mine Interpretive Site, Canada’s only surface coal mining museum. THE FLAGSTAFF REGION AT A GLANCE

TOWN OF KILLAM TOWN OF TOWN OF (POPULATION 989) HARDISTY

The Town of Killam is a thriving and (POPULATION 824) (POPULATION 554) vibrant community, located at the The Town of Daysland is located on The Town of Hardisty is located along intersection of Highways 36 and 13, Highway 13, along the Canadian Highway 13 and Canadian Pacific Railway along the Canadian Pacific Railway. Pacific Railway midway between on Secondary Highway 881. The Hardisty Killam is an exceptionally clean, Killam and Camrose. Daysland was Tank Complex is home to Gibson Energy, quiet municipality with welcoming and is an agricultural community. Enbridge Pipelines, Flint Hills Resources, residents that are committed to Agriculture and related support Interpipeline, Spectra Energy, Husky their community. Agriculture and the services, retail, health services, Energy, Plains Marketing, Canadian Natural energy industries form the economic and recreation are the basis of Resources, and TransCanada. The Town base for Killam. These industries are Daysland’s economy. A vibrant is also home to the USD and Railserve complemented by a robust business business mix provides products offloading site, which is transporting crude mix that includes agribusiness, and services to Daysland and oil by rail. Hardisty offers a strong and trades, energy sector support many surrounding communities. dynamic business sector which includes services, healthcare, professional Daysland is proud to be home to automotive service and supplies, energy services, and a strong retail sector. the Daysland Medical Centre, and sector services, trades, hotel/motel The Town operates its own natural Paterson Grain. accommodations, healthcare, professional gas service (operated jointly with services, and a strong retail mix that the Town of Sedgewick) providing provides goods and services to residents residents and businesses in the and neighbouring communities. community with inexpensive natural gas rates.

TOWN OF SEDGEWICK (POPULATION 811)

The Town of Sedgewick is located midway between Killam and Lougheed, along Highway 13, Secondary Highway 869, and the Canadian Pacific Railway. The economic base of Sedgewick is agriculture, the energy sector and related support services. Sedgewick is one of several municipalities in the province to operate its own natural gas service (operated jointly with the Town of Killam) providing residents and businesses in the community with inexpensive natural gas rates. INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

AGRICULTURE OIL & GAS Available SECTOR SECTOR industrial lands Approximately Strong and growing 1 million acres oil storage capacity of high quality at the Hardisty farmland Energy Hub FABRICATED METAL Existing industry and micro business specialization

Supporting a strong oil Access to vast groundwater and gas and High concentration of labour aquifer and multiple bulk agriculture in the mining, quarrying, and sector water stations throughout oil and gas extraction sector the Region Ample availability of campgrounds Existing industry support and RV parks network for business Part of a Established regional larger regional attraction and expansion supply chain fabricated Numerous heritage metal sector museums TOURISM & HOSPITALITY Four golf Two hours courses from Edmonton throughout Quality hotel and motel with access to the Region accommodations quality rural Dedicated Battle River available amenities Railway short-line to service the local agriculture sector Access to FEATURES COMMON TO skilled and ALL SECTORS unskilled • Highways 13 and 36 connect • Competitive wages for labour the Flagstaff Region to skilled labour national and international • Superb quality of life in rural markets via the Eastern and small town settings Alberta Trade Corridor (EATC) Innovative Composite Competitively • Plentiful access to health • Part of a strong economic care services Blending Program priced region with consistently low unemployment rates. • Lower housing costs supports the agricultural commercial compared to larger supply chain lands urban centres FLAGSTAFF REGION POPULATION FACT SHEET 10000 8000 TRADE AREA The population and primary trading area of the Region is 6000 comprised of 8,361 people, which encompasses the boundary of , and extends to a radius of 40 kilometres. The 4000 8969 8803 8269 8361 secondary trading area of 56,102 people extends to a radius of 80 kilometres. This greater trading area encompasses portions 2000 of neighbouring municipalities, which include , Beaver County, County of Paintearth, M.D. of Provost, Stettler 0 County, and M.D. of Wainwright, as well as the City of Camrose, 2001 2006 2011 2016 Towns of Provost, Stettler and Wainwright, and the smaller towns and villages within an 80-kilometre radius. The Region has a steady transient population that increases the total trading area to AGE STRUCTURE 59,102 people. 1500 Female EMPLOYMENT BASE Male Agriculture, oil and gas, retail, construction, healthcare 1200

MAJOR EMPLOYERS 900 Arnett & Burgess Oilfield Construction (350) GCS Energy Services (200) 600 Battle River School Division (150) Killam Health Care Centre, Covenant Health (124) 300 Daysland Medical Centre (100)

INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL LANDS 0 65+ 45-64 20-44 0-19 There is roughly 70 acres in assorted industrial and commercial lands available in the Flagstaff Region, which provides a competitve advantage for companies considering location or expansion. These are both public and private lands. A listing MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME of available land is on the Flagstaff Region Investment website $100,000 www.StopAtNothing.ca. Contact Flagstaff County Economic Development for more information at 780-384-4121. $80,000

UTILITIES $60,000 Electricity and natural gas are deregulated in Alberta. The Alberta Government provides a website to assist consumers $40,000 with choosing an appropriate provider for their residence of $67,805 $80,271 $65,500 business. To learn more about electrical or natural gas providers visit: www.ucahelps.gov.ab.ca. $20,000

MUNICIPAL 0 An average monthly water/sewer/garbage utility bill in the Flagstaff Alberta Canada Flagstaff Region communities is $133*. Enterprise investments in the County operate on independent water/septic services, and *Assumes 19 cubic metres average Alberta household commercial garbage pick-up. consumption per month Src: http://www.calgary.ca/ docgallery/BU/environmental_management/Climate_ Change_and_You/Watertap.pdf FLAGSTAFF REGION HOUSE PRICE COMPARISON FACT SHEET

EDUCATION Approximately 300 students are enrolled in high school annually from the Flagstaff Region with Battle River School Division.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Number of businesses (2016): 508

RESIDENTIAL HOUSING STARTS Housing starts for Flagstaff Region (2015): 32

HOUSING Housing prices are comparable to neighbouring counties, and up to 50 percent lower than average pricing in HOME OWNERSHIP Edmonton. Residential and Commercial real estate listings – www.realtor.ca. Search by each of the community names in the Flagstaff Region. RENTERS CONSTRUCTION VALUES 214 Total construction value in millions (includes all residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional activity) for Flagstaff Region (2015): $55.1 million

TAX RATES County Residential Total Property Tax Rate: 7.3086 OWNERS Commercial Total Property Tax Rate: 20.111 1352

Based on $100,000 assessment Residential taxes would be $738.86; Commercial Property taxes would be $2,011.10

AVERAGE TOTAL RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TAX RATE 13.802 CORPORATE TAXES AVERAGE TOTAL COMMERCIAL TAX RATE 23.8289

Based on $100,000 assessment average community Residential taxes would be $1,380.20; average community Commercial taxes would be $2,382.89.

GENERAL MANUFACTURING AND PROCESSING INVESTMENT SMALL BUSINESS LABOUR FORCE EDUCATION PROFILE PROFILE

The Flagstaff Region is part of the larger Camrose – Economic Region that makes up 5.4 percent of the province’s population. The Flagstaff Region is a place of employment. The Region has a skilled workforce with 38 percent possessing some form of post-secondary, trade, or university certificate, diploma, or degree.

Source: Statistics Canada (Labour Force Survey, November 2016)

FLAGSTAFF REGION BY INDUSTRY 4.1% % 6.8% 12.7 AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL FISHING, HUNTING ESTATE MINING, QUARRYING, OIL & PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, GAS EXTRACTION TECHNICAL SERVICES 12.1% CONSTRUCTION & UTILITIES ADMINISTRATION, WASTE MANAGEMENT, REMEDIATION MANUFACTURING EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE & % RETAIL AND WHOLESALE 24.4 % SOCIAL ASSISTANCE 3.4 TRADE OTHER SERVICES TRANSPORTATION / 4.2% WAREHOUSING PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

10.1%

21.1% 3.9% % % 4.1 1 16.6%

13.4% FLAGSTAFF REGION BY OCCUPATION

% MANAGEMENT ARTS & SPORTS 10.7 % BUSINESS & FINANCE SALES & SERVICE 1.8 % SCIENCES TRADES & TRANSPORT 1.1 2.5% HEALTH NATURAL RESOURCES 3.5% EDUCATION, LAW & MANUFACTURING & 7.8% GOVERNMENT UTILITIES 10.6%

1% QUALITY OF LIFE AMENITIES

RECREATION & CULTURE The Flagstaff Region offers many great recreational and cultural activities and opportunities for visitors and residents of all ages to enjoy.

ARENAS SWIMMING POOLS There are eight arenas in the Region with both natural and There are both indoor and outdoor swimming pools in the artificial ice surfaces where you can enjoy public skating, Flagstaff Region. learn figure skating or take part in a local hockey game. • Killam (indoor) • Alliance • Forestburg (outdoor) • Daysland • Sedgewick (wading pool) • Forestburg • Galahad (outdoor) GYM/FIELDHOUSE • Hardisty • Daysland (gym) • Heisler • Forestburg (gym) • Killam • Killam (gym) • Lougheed • Lougheed (fieldhouse/gym) • Sedgewick TENNIS COURTS CURLING RINKS There are public tennis courts in the Region. There are six curling rinks in the Region. • Daysland • Daysland • Forestburg • Hardisty • Killam • Forestburg BALL DIAMONDS • Lougheed If baseball or softball is your game of choice, enjoy any of the • Sedgewick ball diamonds within the Region. • Strome • Alliance GOLF COURSES • Daysland The Flagstaff Region boasts four 9-hole golf courses, where • Forestburg golfers of all levels can enjoy a game. • Hardisty • Daysland • Heisler • Forestburg • Killam • Hardisty • Lougheed • Sedgewick • Sedgewick • Strome QUALITY OF LIFE AMENITIES

BOWLING ALLEY ART & CULTURAL GROUPS For the bowlers, you can improve your game here. There are several groups that offer arts and cultural events, activities and programs in the region. • Galahad • Heisler • Battle River Art Club, Sedgewick • Sedgewick • Communities in Bloom, Forestburg • Concert Series, Forestburg SENIORS CENTRES • Curtain Call Community Theatre, Forestburg There are seniors’ centres in most communities in the • Daysarts, Daysland Flagstaff Region. • Flagstaff Players, Sedgewick

• Daysland LIBRARIES • Galahad Public libraries are in most communities in the Flagstaff • Forestburg Region. We are part of the Parkland Regional Library system, • Hardisty which is a network of over 50 public libraries connecting • Heisler over 200,000 residents in . You can visit their • Killam website and find out more about the Parkland Regional • Lougheed Library or check out an e-book or magazine at • Sedgewick www.prl.ab.ca. • Strome SKI HILL THEATRES The Valley Ski Hill is located in the Battle River Valley near There is a theatre in Daysland, where movies, plays and Alliance. The ski hill has a full-service lodge, rental shop and community art and cultural programs are run. a ski school. TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE

BATTLE RIVER TRAIN EXCURSIONS Enjoy an exciting new opportunity riding the rails. Take a ride in a vintage passenger car through the communities in the southern part of the Region, where you can enjoy the spectacular scenery around Alliance, the ‘medieval hamlet’ of Galahad, beautiful gardens and communities in bloom in Forestburg and Canada’s Largest Baseball Glove in Heisler. Catch the train for corporate or family events, or enjoy one of the year-round themed train rides. For more information or to book tickets, visit friendsofbrr.com

DIPLOMAT MINE INTERPRETIVE SITE Experience the rich history at Canada’s only surface coal mining museum, or take a step back in time at any of the five other museums in the Region.

• Sodbusters Archives Museum in Strome • Sedgewick Archives Gallery and Museum • Lougheed Iron Creek Museum • Forestburg Historical Society Museum • Alliance and District Museum.

GOLF The Flagstaff Region has four courses. Take part in one of the many seasonal golf tournaments like the Battle River cash scramble at Forestburg Golf Club or the mixed scramble at Sedgewick Centennial Golf Club.

• Sedgewick Centennial Golf Club, www.sedgewickgolf.ca • Daysland Golf Club, www.dayslandgolf.com • Hardisty Lakeview Golf Club, www.hardistygolf.com • Forestburg Golf Club, www.forestburggolfclub.com

CAMPING Take pleasure in fishing, hiking, boating, or camping at any of our 18 campgrounds.

See flagstaff.ab.ca/visitors/campgrounds-and-parks BUSINESS RESOURCES

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ALBERTA/CANADA Flagstaff County 780-384-4100 Alberta Small Business Resources www.flagstaff.ab.ca www.smallbusiness.alberta.ca Toll Free: 877-387-4100 Directory of business resources for new and established entrepreneurs. TOWNS AND VILLAGES For business licenses, development permits, utilities, and Alberta Enterprise and Advanced Education taxes in the local communities, contact the town or village www.albertacanada.com offices directly. Investment, competitive advantage, and statistical information. Alliance 780-879-3911 www.villageofalliance.ca Daysland 780-374-3767 www.daysland.com Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development Forestburg 780-582-3668 www.forestburg.ca www.agric.gov.ab.ca Hardisty 780-888-3623 www.hardisty.ca Business and marketing information for agriculture and food Heisler 780-889-3774 www.villageofheisler.ca processors. Killam 780-385-3977 www.town.killam.ab.ca Lougheed 780-386-3970 www.villageoflougheed.com Travel Alberta Sedgewick 780-384-3504 www.sedgewick.ca www.travelalberta.com Tourism information. REGION Battle River Alliance for Economic Development (BRAED) Business Link http://www.braedalberta.ca/ www.canadabusiness.ab.ca One-stop information resource about business and Government information service for businesses. Information economic development in east central Alberta. for federal and provincial government services, programs, and regulatory requirements for business. Community Futures East Central Alberta http://eastcentralalberta.albertacf.com/ Business Development Bank of Canada (Edmonton) Business and economic development services for the https://www.bdc.ca/en/business-centres/alberta/pages/ Flagstaff Region. edmonton.aspx?source=directory Financial, investment and consulting services to Canadian Central Alberta Realtors Association small and medium-sized businesses. http://www.carassociation.ca/ Real estate statistics. The Government of Alberta http://occinfo.alis.alberta.ca/occinfopreview/info/browse- wages.html. This database is searchable by region; The Flagstaff Region is located in the Camrose-Drumheller region. STOP AT NOTHING.

Remember the simple, invincible days of your youth...when any imagined horizon was achievable... when obstacles were easy to leapfrog? Stop at nothing in your quest for entrepreneurial greatness...dare we say immortality.

Call 780-384-4121 to explore your next business idea and great life adventure.