Community Profile 2016 | Page 11

The Town of Cochrane is committed to enhancing its business community through the Economic Development department, by supporting businesses that are looking to get started or expand.

The Town’s Economic Development department works to diversify and strengthen the community’s economic outlook and create jobs, by providing advice and assistance with economic and business development, as well grant acquisitions. This unit assists businesses and organizations through referrals to development information from the local and provincial level, one-on-one support and various business resources.

The Economic Development team supports industrial, commercial and retail business activity in Cochrane in various ways. Ongoing liaison with key stakeholders in the community’s commercial and industrial nodes, provides staff with information on existing and new real estate opportunities, and patterns of business activity. In addition, confidential advice for business planning and consultation on public policy issues is readily available.

Why do Business in Cochrane?

The Town of Cochrane is working to create economic opportunities based on core community values:

• Preservation of, and reduced impact on, the environment.

• Development that creates long term quality employment.

• The nurturing of a strong social fabric, from recreation to community pride,

to health and wellness.

It is the ideal location to establish your business. Here are some advantages:

• Diverse economic climate

Local telecommunications services

Lower cost of hydro (20% reduced cost on NOW Hydro)

Skilled, bilingual and able workforce

Low tax rate

Supportive town council

Low utility rate

Board of Trade

Cochrane Economic Development

Availability of affordable serviced commercial and industrial zoned land

Proximity to abundant natural resources

Many opportunities for value-added products and services

No traffic congestions

Land, rail and air transportation networks

Economic

development

"According to the Canadian Land Inventory, the Great Clay Belt in the District of Cochrane contains at least 4.4 million acres of potential arable land, with many millions of additional acres yet to be surveyed."

EMERGING

INDUSTRIES

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