Standard

Welcome

WELCOME TO STANDARD
An attractive community of Danish origins, Standard is located in the heart of the County of Wheatland surrounded by fertiles farmlands and numerous oil and gas rigs. The Chimney Hills can be seen rising in the background.

We are a progressive farming community and have active oil and gas companies.With Calgary and Drumheller located only 50 miles away, residents can enjoy a quiet country life, but still be able to access city benefits.

Our friendly community of 389 invites you to consider a move to our growing village and to explore the professional and commercial business opportunities.

Area Overview

HISTORY

In 1909, a delegation of Danish men came from Iowa to the Chimney Hills district to look for farmland on the 21, 000 acres the CPR had set aside for this purpose.

In 1910 the first families moved into what was then called the "Dana" area, and the 1910 CPR map shows the village's name as "Danaview". When CPR officials discovered they had a town bearing that name northeast of Saskatoon, they would not permit two towns with the same name on their line. Hence the name Standard from the Royal Danish Standard.

With the arrival of trains in 1911, Standard became a thriving service centre for the agricultural industry surrounding it and today provides services for crews of the numerous oil and gas facilities dotting the landscape.


ALBERTA, THE BEST PLACE TO WORK, LIVE AND DO BUSINESS

The province of Alberta is a leader in the Canadian economy. Alberta has had the fastest growing economy in Canada over the past two decades, with real GDP growth averaging 3.7 percent per year. Highlighting Alberta's success in the past year is:

• Over $73.2 billion in international exports of goods and services (2004)
• Manufacturing shipments of $52.6 billion (2004)
• Creation of 40,000 new jobs in 2004 and 433,900 between 1994 and 2004
• Over $103 billion in major capital projects are proposed, announced, under construction or recently completed (2004)

Source: Alberta Economic Development

Alberta's Positive Business Climate

• The lowest overall taxes in Canada
• No provincial sales tax
• No general capital or payroll taxes prevalent in other provinces and U.S. states
• A highly entrepreneurial and competitive business community
• A fiscally responsible government that has eliminated its provincial debt, demonstrating to investors the business-like attitude of the government
• A highly skilled, educated and motivated workforce that is the most productive in Canada

Source: Alberta Economic Development

Climate

AVERAGE TEMPERATURE

January
Maximum temperature = -6.3 Celsius
Minimum temperature = -16.7 Celsius

July
Maximum temperature = 23.5 Celsius
Minimum temperature = 9.9 Celcius

Annual percipitation = 431.9 mm

Source: Environment Canada.

Community Services

BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES

Wild Rose Economic Development Corporation
Box 2159
2nd Floor, 203 3rd Avenue Hilton Plaza Strathmore, Alberta T1P 1K2
1-888-881-9675
(403) 934-6488 phone (403) 934-6492 fax
Email: wildrose@wildrose.ab.ca
Website: www.gowildrose.com

Services include: career center for employers and employees, small business assistance, financing and referral.

Alberta Human Resources and Employment is a provincial department that focuses on people skills and the workplace. They provide a broad range of service to both employees and employers.

Human Resources & Skills Development Canada is a federal department that provides a broad range of services for employees and employers.

Standard Village Office
120 Elsinore Avenue Box 249 Standard, AB T0J 3G0
Tel: 403-644-3968 Fax: 403-644-2284

Recycling Depot
Christian Avenue West
Tel: 403-644-2404

Standard Municipal Library
Main Street
Tel: 403-644-3995

Community Lifestyle

PEACE OF MIND

Standard is part of the Wild Rose Region. Many residents and business owners choose to locate in the Region because of the safety and security of small town living. As indicated by the below table, crime statistics are substantially lower in the region than typical of a larger metropolitan center like the City of Calgary.

The region offers the most affordable local utilities, based on comparison with Calgary and area utilities. In the Wild Rose Region, local utilities (water, sewer and garbage) are approximately 26% lower than the average of communities in and around Calgary (Benchmarks Nichols Applied Management, 2000).

RECREATION

Campgrounds

Standard has a fully serviced campground with 10 sites, 4 power hook ups and 6 without power.
The facility includes a campsite, day use/picnic area, free firewood, flush toilets, picnic shelter, sewage dump, site stoves, watertap and showers.
For additional details click here: Camp Ground Information

Golf Courses



Akokiniskway Golf Course is located just 23 kilometers from Standard.

Rosebud Golf Course is a 9 hole golf course in the challenging Rosebud River Valley. 403-677-2250

Public Recreation

• A two sheet curling rink
• Hockey and skating arena
• Sand volleyball court
• 2 tennis courts
• 2 baseball fields
• soccer field

Service Clubs 

• Lionettes Club
• Lions Club
• Royal Canadian Legion #16

Annual Community Events

• Standard Sports Day
• Canada Day Celebration
• Standard Lions Auction
• Partners In The Hall
• Annual Oyster and Ham Library Fundraiser Dinner

Religious Institutions

• Nazareth Lutheran Church

Economic Base

ECONOMIC STRENGTHS

Agriculture

The main economic base of the Standard area is agriculture and agricultural services. Standard is surrounded by fertile farmland, clean air and water make this community an attractive place to live and operate a business.

In addition to the grain industry, there is a thriving local poultry operation and a large greenhouse business nearby. A large employer in the district is the Husky Oil Plant.

Agrium has a liquid fertilizer manufacturing plant in the village. The oil & gas industry has encouraged several companies such as Gene's Oilfield Services, Cal's Construction, Andrus Transport to set up business here in the village to service this sector of the economy.

As well as local grocery and dry goods stores, Standard also boasts a hotel, coffee shop, treasury branch, accounting firm, service station, confectionary and hair dressers as well as several other commercial enterprises.
Agriculture, Oil & Gas, Trucking, Fertilizer Plant, Co-op Grocery/Hardware

EMPLOYERS

• Husky Oil Plant
  Box 219, Standard Alberta, T0J 3G0
  Conventional crude oil and natural gas industry
  Web site: www.huskyenergy.ca
• Agrium Liquid Fertilizers
  Box 40, Standard Alberta, T0J 3G0
  Phone: 644-3883 Fax: 644-3799
  Manufactures and markets liquid fertilizer for grain farming
  Web site: www.agrium.com
• Gene's Oilfield Services
  Phone: 644-2286
  Oil and gas field servicing
• Big Wheels Services
  Phone: 644-2339
  Tires and repairs
• Cal's Construction Ltd.
  Box 339, Standard Alberta, T0J 3G0
  Phone: 644-3741 Fax: 644-2348
  Oil and gas field servicing

Economic Facts

DEMOGRAPHICS

The population of Standard is 389.

•  Median age group is 35 – 54
• Males outnumber females in age groups 5 – 14, 25 – 34 and 65 – 74
• Females outnumber males in age groups 20 – 24, and 55 – 64
• 87.2% of Standard’s population is under 65 years old
• 60.3% is under 45 years old
• 33.3% is under 25 years old
• 71.9% of the population (over 20 years of age) has a high school diploma or higher education
• The projected population for 2006 is 402

Source: 2001 Statistics Canada Census

OCCUPANCY/SUPPLY

Standard presently has 18.37 acres of industrial land available. This is undeveloped land that sells for $4000 an acre. Purchaser is responsible for all development costs.
Industrial and residential land available.

WORKERS COMPENSATION

Average cost per $100 payroll in Manufacturing: $3-$4
Average cost per $100 payroll in Office Work: $.40
Maximum weekly benefit $1,176.92

For additional details on the program see:Workers Compensation Board

EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

55% of your average insurable earnings to a maximum of $413 per week.

For additional information on the program see:Employment Insurance Information for Employers

RESEARCH BASE

Being a close neighbor of the City of Calgary, companies located in Standard have access to a broad range of research facilities located in an around the City. For additional information on the following research facilities, simply click on the name to access the link.

• Alberta Research Council
• Calgary Technologies Inc.
• Edmonton Economic Development Corporation
• Food Processing Development Centre
• TRLabs
• WurcNet

FURTHER IN-DEPTH INFORMAITON

• Municipal Profiles developed by Alberta's Ministry of Municipal Affairs
• Alberta - A Wealth of Opportunity developed by Alberta Economic Development
• Alberta Economic Highlights developed by Alberta Economic Development
• Alberta Economic Outlook developed by Alberta Economic Development
• Alberta Export and Trade developed by Alberta Economic Development
• Tourism Reports developed by Alberta Economic Development
• Alberta Finance Statistics also contains much information which may be useful.

Education

Standard School is part of the Golden Hills School Division #75.




Standard School offers programs for all grades ECS through Grade 12. The school has maintained a focus on academic achievement and has achieved a fine academic record for many years. This focus is continuing with the commitment of the teachers, students, parents, and the community.

Standard School
Box 69
Standard, AB T0J 3G0
Tel: 403-644-3791 Fax: 403-644-3813

Email: standard@goldenhills-schools.com
Website: http://www.goldenhills-schools.com/standardinfo.htm

Standard Playschool Association

Sherri Larsen - 644-2272 Parent supervisors, as well as one teacher. Playschool encourages children to get along with others and provide learning experiences.

In 2002/2003 Alberta spent $8,800 to education a student and the student to teacher ratio was just under 18.

Source: Culture, Tourism and Centre for Education Statistics, Summary Public School Indicators for the Provinces and Territories, 1996-97 – 2002-03 (Statistics Canada)

Emergency Services

Standard is within the Municipal District of Wheatland County. Regional cooperation has played an important role in the development of emergency response systems in the area. In 1987 the Wheatland and District Emergency Medical Services Association was created by a number of municipalities in the region. The Association provides emergency services throughout the County area. To further enhance emergency response in the region, the County signed a Mutual Aid Agreement for Disaster Services with each of the towns and villages within the County boundaries in 1990.

All emergencies can be reported by using 911.

FIRE SERVICES

Standard has a local volunteer fire department, Standard Rural Fire Association. Contact Fire Chief Andy Schulthess - Phone: 644-3987

POLICE SERVICES

Standard is serviced by the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) detachment located in the community of Strathmore. ( 38 km between communities)

500 Westlake Rd Strathmore, AB T1P 1M7
Tel: (403) 934-3535

AMBULANCE SERVICES

Standard receives ambulance service from the community of Strathmore, which has a paramedic ambulance service that is located adjacent to the hospital [Tel: 403-934-3639]. Along with the Ambulance service the hospital also uses the STARS Helicopter. When an ambulance is called, first responders are called and will stay until the ambulance arrives.

Health Care

STRATHMORE HOSPITAL

Strathmore is serviced by the Calgary Regional Health Authority

The Strathmore & District Health Care Centre is part of a regional health care system, and has 25 active-care beds and 23 extended-care beds.

Telephone:(403) 934 0126
Facsimile: (403) 934 0173
200 Brent Blvd., Strathmore, Alberta T1P 1J9

Signage directing you to the Diagnostic Imaging Department is located on the main floor, inside the main entrance of the Strathmore Health Unit.

The following DI services are provided at the Strathmore Health Unit:

• General Radiography
• Fluoroscopy
• Ultrasound
• ECG

Professional Services Include:

• Physicians
• Radiologists
• Gerontologist
• Recreation Therapist
• Respiratory Therapist
• Orthotics Consultant
• Orthopaedic Consultant
• Laboratory Consultant
• Pharmacists
• Dietician
• Dentists
• Chiropractors

Health unit services are also provided out of the hospital. Strathmore also has 2 medical clinics, 1 nursing home and 2 seniors housings.

Key Contacts for Business Development

KEY BUSINESS CONTACTS

Leah Jensen
Chief Administrative Officer
Village of Standard
Box 249 Standard, AB T0J 3G0
(403) 644-3968 Telephone
(403) 644-2284 Fax
Email: cao@standardab.ca

Wild Rose Economic Development Corporation
Box 2159 2nd Floor, 203 3rd Avenue
Hilton Plaza Strathmore, AB T1P 1K2
1-888-881-9675
(403) 934-6488 Telephone
(403) 934-6492 Fax
Email: wildrose@wildrose.ab.ca
Website: www.gowildrose.com

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT CONTACT

Walter Valentini
Regional Manager Alberta Economic Development
#300, 639 - 5th Avenue, SW Calgary, Alberta T2P 0M9
Tel: 403-297-8920
Fax: 403-297-6168
E-Mail: walter.valentini@gov.ab.ca
E-Mail: dianne.fitzsimmons@gov.ab.ca
Website: www.edt.gov.ab.ca/aed/


MLA Strathmore – Brooks
Lyle Oberg Constituency Office
PO Box 873
403 – 2nd Ave. West Brooks, AB T1R 1B7
(403) 362-6969 Telephone
(403) 362-5923 Fax
Email: strathmore.brooks@assembly.ab.ca

MP Crowfoot
Kevin Sorenson
4945 - 50th Street
Camrose, Alberta T4V 1P9
Telephone: (780) 608-4600 1-800-665-4358
Fax: (780) 608-4603
E-Mail: Sorenson.K@parl.gc.ca

Location

Standard is within the Municipal District of Wheatland County.

HWY #840 north/south, HWY #561 to HWY #1,

LONGITUDE & LATITUDE

Longitude 112 degrees 58'
Latitude 51 degrees 7'


MAP OF ALBERTA.

MAP OF STANDARD'S LOCATION


PROXIMITY TO OTHER LOCATIONS

Driving Distance from Standard	km	miles	Time Required
Calgary (city centre)	89	55	1 hour
Calgary International Airport	91	56	1 hour, 3 minutes
Edmonton, Alberta	395	246	4 hours, 1 minute
Vancouver, British Columbia	1056	656	12 hours, 14 minutes
Toronto, Ontario	3348	2081	34 hours, 37 minutes
United States Border (Coutts, Alberta crossing)	318	198	3 hours, 42 minutes

It is important to note that time required is calculated based on 'ideal' traffic and weather conditions.

**Distance is measured from city centre to city centre**

Post Secondary Education

Building Futures

The village of Standard is an hour drive from world-class education facilities. Standard's proximity to Calgary allows students the opportunity to attend post-secondary institutions with minimal travel. If you wish to stay within Standard then Bow Valley College, University of Athabasca and other universities offer many correspondence courses. For information on Educational Opportunities in close proximity toStrathmore visit the school's corresponding website:

Other Educational Opportunities within close proximity are:

Prairie Bible Institute offers a wide range of programs, including ministry, aviation, drama, wilderness leadership and music, to students from over 20 countries around the world. Students can earn a one-year certificate or a four-year degree.

Covenant Bible College is an eight-month program of Christian discipleship. The Strathmore campus is one of three campuses, with the other two located in Colorado and Ecuador.

Rosebud School of the Arts offers a unique blend of practical and theoretical training in the performing arts. In addition to the arts program, Rosebud provides apprenticeship programs in the hospitality industry.

Taxation

	Residential/Farmland	Non-Residential
2005
Municipal Tax Rate	13.3000	13.9000
Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate	4.9000	7.4000
Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate	.1000	.1000

Transportation

AIR SERVICES The nearest commercial and air freight services are at Calgary International Airport

RAIL SERVICE

CPR Branch & Spurline

HIGHWAYS

Standard is within the Municipal District of Wheatland County. HWY #840 north/south, HWY #561 to HWY #1, For manufacturers and producers who need assistance to determine the most cost-effective and efficient transportation method, AlbertaPORT provides a "virtual" gateway to assist with transportation logistics at Alberta-Canada

BUS SERVICE

Regularly scheduled bus service is provided to Standard by

Greyhound Canada 1-800-661-8747.

POSTAL & COURIERS

Canada Post, Purolator, UPS and FedEx all provide delivery services for Standard . Canada Post fills a vital need in the region providing cost-effective and timely mail delivery. In its mission to provide innovative physical and electronic delivery solutions creating value for its customers, Canada Post works with its business customers to ensure their mail communication needs are achieved.

In 2001, Canada Post received an on-time, combined service performance score of 96.4% on properly prepared letter mail.

For more information on service in Standard contact Canada Post,Purolator,UPS & FedEx.

Utilities

ELECTRICITY and NATURAL GAS are deregulated in Alberta.

The Alberta government provides a Web site to provide information to assist consumers to choose the appropriate provider for their residence or business. To learn more about electrical or natural gas providers visit Customer Choice

Regulated Rate Providers for Community of Standard are:

ELECTRICAL POWER

• Epcor
• FortisAlberta

NATURAL GAS

• Direct Energy Regulated Services
• Atco

COMMUNICATIONS

Telephone:

• Telus

Internet Services:

• Telus

Local/Regional Newspapers:

• Strathmore Standard
  
  
• The Calgary Herald
  
  
• The Calgary Sun

WATER, WASTE & SEWER

$4.00 per thousand for water used exceeding the minimum 7,000 gallons. (Residential users only)

$7.00 per thousand gallons for water used exceeding the minimum 7,000 gallons (Category 1 and 2 industrial/commercial users)

$8.00 per thousand gallons for water used exceeding the minimum 7,000 gallons (Category 3 industrial/commercial users)

Tank water - $44.00 per thousand gallons

Reconnect fee is one water billing (minimum of $52.50)

Standard has a new Water Treatment Plant which produces 756 cubic meters of water a day.

Alberta’s commitment to water resources is three-fold: a safe, secure drinking water supply, healthy aquatic ecosystems, and reliable, quality water supplies for a sustainable economy.

Alberta Environment has developed water programs that include studying, monitoring and testing of water sources. They have established guidelines to ensure quality standards for the many uses of water, and programs to protect ecosystems and enforce regulations.

Alberta has the most stringent drinking water program in the country and was one of the first provinces to fully adopt the Canadian Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality as a minimum standard. Alberta Environment strives for continuous improvement in its program and works closely with Alberta Health and Wellness to ensure Albertans continue to enjoy high-quality drinking water.

Utility bills are sent out every two months (January, March, May, July, September, November)

The water/sewer/garbage rates are:

Metered Users Unmetered Users
7,000 gallons of water $52.50 $68.75
Sewer $25.00 $25.00
Garbage $18.50 $13.70
H20 Plant Debenture $25.00 $25.00
Total Minimum Charge $121.00 $137.25

GARBAGE

Garbage is picked up every Wednesday and must be bagged. Standard has a waste transfer site which is a manned site.

Population

Total Population 1991-2001

Standard Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Standard Highest Level of Schooling 2001

Labour Force

Standard Labour Force By Industry - 2001

Building Permits

Total Housing Starts

Value of Building Permits

Dwellings