The Innisfail Advantage “Innisfail; An active and vibrant community that is a great place to live and create a future.” Conveniently situated on the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor, Innisfail is a thriving mid-sized community in what some may say is the perfect location. It’s just 15 minutes south of Red Deer and an hour north of Calgary, meaning whatever few amenities we don’t have are available just a short drive in either direction. But let’s focus on what we do have. Where do we start? Well, we’ve got a robust employment sector that includes anything from major national corporations to small mom-and- pop operations. We’ve got schools that offer comfortable class sizes and safe learning environments. We’ve got Rocky Mountain vistas. We’ve got a wide and varied talent pool with a strong rural work ethic. We’ve got subdivisions that are home to some of the most luxurious new homes in the province. And we’ve got some of the most visited tourist destinations in all of Central Alberta. But that’s just a start! With close to 8, 000 residents, there’s plenty more to this town and it’s all worth exploring. Whether you’re thinking about relocating, are looking at setting up business here, or simply want to know what all the fuss is about, give us a call today at 403-227-3376. Here are just a few reasons investors have chosen to set up enterprise here: Highly visible sites on the Queen Elizabeth 2 A full-service community offering small-town Highway corridor in the heart of Central Alberta amenities to attract and maintain a labour force Access to municipal water and wastewater Locally available selection of affordable housing services at competitive user rates Lower costs for serviceable land compared to Access to a range of life experiences in the sites closer to Edmonton, Calgary or Red Deer foothills of the Rocky Mountains Access to a skilled and educated labour force Competitive tax rates and a council sensitive and locally and within easy commuting distance responsive to the needs of business Innisfail Overview Population (2016) Edmonton Devon Age Total Percentage Leduc 0-14 years 1,435 18.3 Camrose Wetaskiwin 15-19 years 480 6.1 13 20-29 years 805 10.3 2 Ponoka 30-39 years 930 11.9 40-64 years 2,570 32.8 Rocky Lacombe Mountain House Sylvan Lake 2 Stettler 65+ years 1,627 20.6 11 Red Deer Total: 7,850 100 54 Innisfail Projected Population Sundre Olds 27 22 Year Population 2 2020 8,868 Drumheller 2025 9,516 Airdrie 2030 10,211 Banff Cochrane 1 Strathmore Calgary 2035 10,957 1 2040 11,757 Labour Force (2016) Total Male Female Population 15 yrs+ 6,200 3,010 3,185 In the labour force 3,980 2,125 1,855 Participation rate (%) 64.2 70.6 58.2 Employed 3,620 1,870 1,745 Employment rate (%) 58.4 62.1 54.8 Historical Population Nearby Municipalities (within 35 kms) Year Population Municipality Population 1995 6,064 Red Deer 100,418 2005 7,208 Red Deer County 19,541 2011 7,876 Sylvan Lake 14,816 *Information courtesy of Stats Canada Innisfail Overview Business Summary (2015) Employee Summary (2015) Total # of businesses 470 Employees # Businesses # By category: 1-4 265 5-19 165 Other 82 20-99 36 Construction & materials 79 100-499 4 Legal, accounting & business services 59 Auto dealers & repair 49 Educational, health & social services 46 Major Employers (by # of employees) (2015) Food stores & dining 39 Innisfail Health Centre 250 Agricultural & natural resources 36 Bilton Welding 180 Hotels, theatres & recreation 25 Chinook’s Edge School Division 177 Manufacturing 24 Johns Manville 175 Finance, insurance & real estate 23 Country/Sunset Manor 133 General merchandise & apparel 8 NWP Industries 87 Educational Attainment 15 yrs+ (2016) University degree 590 University certificate 150 College, CEGEP, other certificate/diploma 1,300 Apprenticeship, trades certificate/diploma 750 High school certificate (or equivalent) 1,995 Mill Rate (2018) Residential Non-Residential Equipment 6.5111 8.0739 8.0739 Town of Innisfail 4943 53 St. | Innisfail, AB | T4G 1A1 P: 403-227-3376 | F: 403-227-4045 W: www.innisfail.ca *Information courtesy of Stats Canada Location The Innisfail area has long been considered one of the most ideally located in the entire province. Edmonton Even before the town was incorporated in 1903, the area had Devon a long history of providing convenience to transient voyagers and long-term settlers alike. Today, the town’s location still Leduc presents plenty of benefits to relocate here. Take a look at a Camrose Wetaskiwin map and you’ll see why. 13 2 Ponoka Distances Rocky Lacombe Mountain House Innisfail is within a short distance of several major urban Sylvan Lake 2 Stettler 11 centres. As well, an hour’s drive can take you anywhere from Red Deer mountains, badlands and forests, to lakes, rivers and plains. 54 The town is truly at the centre of it all. Innisfail Sundre Olds 27 22 Distances from Innisfail: 2 Drumheller Red Deer - 31 km Calgary - 118 km Edmonton - 183 km Airdrie Banff National Park - 215 km Banff Cochrane 1 United States border - 370 km Strathmore Calgary 1 Highways Innisfail sits immediately adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth 2 Highway (known colloquially as the QE2) and is located near the midway point of the Calgary-Edmonton corridor -- one of the most economically vibrant regions in the entire country. The QE2 provides direct access to Calgary and Edmonton, and also leads to a number of other active trade routes that traverse Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest. As well, the highway links to the CANAMEX Trade Corridor, connecting Innisfail to the United States and Mexico through one of the most important trade routes in the continent. Location Innisfail lies at the heart of a 200-km radius trading area with a population of over 2.5 million people. The town is also connected by rail to millions more in the Western US market, and to the rest of the world through ports in Vancouver and along the West Coast. See Innisfail’s location within CN and CP rail networks at innisfail.ca/ economicdevelopment BRITISH COLUMBIA Fort McMurray ALBERTA Prince George SASKATCHEWAN Pacific Ocean Edmonton Kamloops Innisfail Saskatoon Vancouver CalgarCalgary Victoria Medicine Hat Regina United States of America Population & Demographics With just under 8,000 residents, Innisfail boasts plenty of small-town charm while being absent of the traffic, congestion and overcrowding that’s characteristic of larger urban centres. Population (2016) Age Male Female Total Percentage 0-14 years 765 670 1,435 18.3 15-19 years 260 215 480 6.1 20-24 years 225 180 400 10.3 25-44 years 890 910 1,800 11.9 45-64 years 1,010 1,085 2,095 32.8 65+ years 710 920 1,630 20.6 Total: 3,860 3,980 7,850 100 Projected Population Annual Household Income (2015) Year Population Average disposable income $64,831 Average discretionary income $50,189 2020 8,868 2025 9,516 2030 10,211 Nearby Municipalities (within 35 km) 2035 10,957 Municipality Population Red Deer 100,418 Historical Population Red Deer County 19,541 Year Population Sylvan Lake 14,816 1995 6,064 Mountain View County 13,074 2000 7,208 Olds 9,184 2005 7,876 Penhold 3,277 *Information courtesy of Stats Canada History The Early Years: Henday Arrives The story of Innisfail’s long and illustrious history dates back to the fall of 1754, when Hudson’s Bay Company explorer Anthony Henday embarked upon an expedition to the area. Although Henday’s bid to convince the Blackfoot tribe to trade at York Factory in Manitoba proved futile, the explorer’s name and image have long since continued to be associated with the town’s history, and can still be found in many places around town today. The Evolution: A Town is Born The area later became known as Poplar Grove -- a popular stopping point along the Calgary-Edmonton Trail for stagecoach travellers, settlers and hunters among others who used the route. What began as a collection of shacks where they could stop for an overnight rest eventually grew into a permanent settlement, and thus, a town was born. The construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1891 was accompanied by a new name for the then village: Innisfail -- a Celtic word, literally meaning ‘Isle of Destiny’. The Town of Innisfail was incorporated a short time later in 1903. The Present: Innisfail Thrives Innisfail is home to almost 8,000 residents, and continues to benefit from its prime location on the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor. Businesses small and large contribute to healthy and vibrant retail, commercial and industrial sectors, while regional tourism brings hundreds of thousands of tourists to the area every single year. In summary, the town is no longer simply a stopping point; it’s a destination. Labour & Employment The Central Alberta region fosters a strong rural work ethic that produces no shortage of skilled and dedicated workers. The presence of several higher education institutions contributes to an immensely diverse talent pool, which Innisfail benefits from directly. Labour Force (2016) Total Male Female Population 15 yrs+ 6,200 3,010 3,185 In the Labour Force 3,980 2,125 1,855 Participation Rate (%) 64.2 70.6 58.2 Employed 3,620 1,870 1,745 Employment Rate (%) 58.4 62.1 54.8 Business Summary (2015) Employee Summary (2015) Total # of businesses 470 Employees # Businesses # By category: 1-4 265 5-19 165 Other 82 20-99 36 Construction & materials 79 100-499 4 Legal, accounting & business services 59 Auto dealers & repair 49 Educational, health & social services 46 Major Employers (by # of employees) Food stores & dining 39 Innisfail Health Centre 250 Agricultural & natural resources 36 Bilton Welding 180 Hotels, theatres & recreation 25 Chinook’s Edge School Division 177 Manufacturing 24 Johns Manville 175 Finance, insurance & real estate 23 Country/Sunset Manor 133 General merchandise & apparel 8 NWP Industries 87 Taxation Innisfail’s highly competitive tax rates -- which sit well below the regional average -- make the town an immensely attractive place to live, work and do business.