Town of Cochrane Strategic Plan – Final Report October 2014
5.0 SWOT Analysis
A SWOT analysis summarizes the existing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
affecting an organization (Table 5.1). Strengths and Weaknesses are internal factors that are largely
within the community’s control. Opportunities and Threats are external factors over which the
community has little control. Opportunities may be capitalized upon, to turn them into strengths,
and threats may be mitigated by developing plans to reduce their risk, or by exploring whether the
threat can be turned into an opportunity. See Appendix C for details on each item.
Table 5.1: Cochrane SWOT Analysis
Strengths
<-- INTERNAL -->
1. Nice, friendly, safe town
Weaknesses
2. Lots of clubs, activities, events
1. Board of Trade and business community are
perceived as ineffective
3. Lake Commando
2. Little municipal economic development capacity
4. Detour has recently created jobs, training
3. Little business competition (prices high)
5. Volunteers are recognized
4. Downtown core needs improvement
6. Relatively good relations with First Nations
5. Lack of municipal transparency
7. Community Centre and Pool
6. Lack of community-wide communication
8. Fibre network being expanded
7. Not enough trades people to meet needs
9. Local farming knowledge and available land
8. Little diversification in economy
10. Airport & related services
9. Volunteers are getting tired
10. Businesses falling behind re: technology use
Opportunities
<-- EXTERNAL -->
Threats
1. Develop training programs for trades people
1. People shopping out of town
2. Increasing interest in agricultural land
2. High gasoline prices
3. Leverage the Polar Bear Habitat
3. Youth and senior outmigration
4. Pursue contracts from Detour Gold
4. Lack of youth volunteers
5. Expand air-based services
5. Remote geographical location
6. Increase education through technology
6. Apathy in business community
7. Better leverage traffic on TransCanada
7. No affordable housing / assisted living
8. Lobby for return of spring bear hunt
8. Perceived lack of support for entrepreneurs
9. Leverage airport (esp. low fuel prices)
9. Low use of Polar Bear Express train
10. Strengthen local business community
10. Closure of campgrounds
11. Forestry sector experiencing a revival
11. Loss of spring bear hunt
12. Rail freight potential
12. Increasing cost of housing and rental units
13. Highway 11 Location
13. Boom-bust economy
14. Declining tourism industry
15. Aging infrastructure
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