Red Deer County

Welcome

Red Deer County is located in one of Canada's fastest growing and most prosperous regions, only 150 kilometers from both Edmonton and Calgary. Whether you’re thinking of locating your business or organization to Red Deer County or planning a visit to the Region, we have all you need and more!

Area Overview

Red Deer County is located in one of Canada's fastest growing and most prosperous regions, only 150 kilometers from both Edmonton and Calgary.

With a population of 18,639, Red Deer County covers an area of 4,042 square kilometres (1,575 square miles, 1,007,968 acres/407,925 hectares). Within the north central boundary of Red Deer County is the City of Red Deer with a population of over 79,000 people. In the late 1990s, the Federal Census indicated that for the first time in sixty years, the rural population of Alberta outpaced the urban growth. The overall population of Red Deer County is greater than 116,000 including the City of Red Deer and the County’s towns and villages.

Red Deer County includes 60 residential subdivisions, eight industrial/commercial subdivisions, one city (Red Deer), four towns (Bowden, Innisfail, Penhold, Sylvan Lake), two villages (Elnora and Delburne), two summer villages (Norglenwold and Jarvis Bay) and eight hamlets (Ardley, Evarts, Lousana, Markerville, Dickson, Spruce View, Benalto and Springbrook).Neighboring municipalities of Red Deer County are M.D. of Clearwater County to the west, Lacombe County to the north, the County of Stettler No. 6 to the east, and to the south are the Counties of Kneehill and Mountain View Counties.

Entrepreneurs of large and small businesses are thriving in Red Deer County. Located in the core of Central Alberta's trading and distribution center, Red Deer County's distribution capacity is over two million people within a 160 kilometer radius (100 miles), and has a trade area with over 200,000 people. Historically an extremely rich agricultural area, the County has a strong oil and petrochemical sector, as well as value-added processing and manufacturing industries.

"The Calgary-Edmonton Corridor is in a unique position in Canada. Specifically, it is the only Canadian urban centre to amass a U.S.-level of wealth while preserving a Canadian-style quality of life." (TD Economics)

Climate

The County has a wide climactic range with a yearly average of 2,133 hours of sunshine and an annual snowfall of 1,150 millimetres (45 inches). The area has a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters with occasional temporary relief often provided by warm Chinook winds. The Rocky Mountains block the movement of moist Pacific air into the region, but allows the inflow of cold Arctic air masses. Alberta has a semi-arid climate because the annual precipitation is less than the water evaporated and transpired by natural vegetation and agricultural crops.

Community Services

Red Deer County's Community Development facilitates and supports rural Recreation and Culture, Family and Community Support Services and other community development initiatives.

Red Deer County Community Development provides community resource information and enables, coordinates and supports recreation, culture and community services both financially and administratively.

County Recreation and Culture Boards
There are seven rural Recreation and Culture Boards and five joint Urban/Rural Boards that support and service the recreation and culture needs of county residents.

Red Deer County is currently divided into Recreational Districts that receive per capita grant funds and in some cases special recreation levies from the County to assist with the promotion and delivery of recreation and culture programs.

 Red Deer County Tourism

Red Deer County is unsurpassed in its recreational amenities.  The area is rich in campgrounds, fishing and boating areas, equestrian facilities, ski areas and golf courses. 

The rolling scenery of nutrient-rich farmland creates a beautiful quilt pattern in its fields.  It has many rivers, lakes and valleys throughout the region and allows is residents to enjoy a view of the Rockies to the southwest or a camping experience in the southeast along the Red Deer River.  Three large recreational lakes are contained in Red Deer County – Pine Lake, Sylvan Lake and Glennifer Lake. Visit Red Deer County's A-SOO-WUH-UM Day Use Park only 15 minutes south of The City of Red Deer.


Red Deer County has much to offer those who take the time explore!

Tour our off-the-beaten paths and discover:
Craft shops and museums
Attractions and events
Recreation Opportunities
Historical Sites
Points of Interest
Natural Spaces
Outdoor Adventures
Clean Campgrounds
Numerous Beautiful Lakes
Golf Courses and much more!

Spend a day exploring Red Deer County; click here to see where these Red Deer County tourism attractions are located.

Red Deer County Council & Administration

Red Deer County is divided into seven electoral areas called 'Divisions'. Each division has a Councillor that has been elected by citizens within his or her divisional boundaries.
Each Council member serves a three-year term. The elected Council then elects a Reeve and a Deputy Reeve from within its ranks on an annual basis.

Governed by the Municipal Government Act, the Council passes bylaws that provide for, develop and maintain safe and viable communities. These bylaws include matters such as the safety, health and welfare of the people and property; business activity, recreation, public utilities; nuisances; transportation and wild and domestic animals.

The primary function of the County Manager is to act as the principal liaison between Council and Administration and to oversee the Directorship.

Each Director oversees daily operations of his or her department utilizing support and advice of specialized managers to ensure the smooth operation and integration of several County departments for optimal effectiveness.


Red Deer County Departments:

Agricultural Services: Policies and bylaws related to agriculture; news and education; environment and conservation; equipment rentals; shelterbelt services; weed and pest control; agricultural societies; coalbed methane; Reeve's task force on sustainable agriculture; and agriculture viability project.
    Art Preachuk, Agricultural Services Fieldman 
    403.350.2163 
    apreachuk@reddeercounty.ab.ca


Corporate Services: Information on property taxes including assessments and payment options.    
    Terryl Allen, Director of Corporate Services
    403.350.2159
    tallen@reddeercounty.ab.ca

Operations Services: Information on waste transfer locations and pick-up; road bans; sewer, utility and water rates; public notices; and policies.
    Frank Peck, Operations Services Director 
    403.350.2163 or 403.350.2158
    fpeck@reddeercounty.ab.ca


Planning & Development Services: Planning updates and development permit information.
    Harry Harker, Director of Planning & Development 
    403.350.2157 
    hharker@reddeercounty.ab.ca

Community Services: including listings for family and support services, community halls, help lines and cemeteries. 
    Jo-Ann Symington, Community  Services Coordinator
    403.350.2150
    jsymington@reddeercounty.ab.ca


Protective Services: Fire, police, ambulance and emergency services.
    Ric Henderson, Director of Community & Protective Services  
    403.357.2371 
    rhenderson@reddeercounty.ab.ca

Economic Development: Information for businesses or organizations looking to locate or expand within Red Deer County.  Information includes location statistics, development activity, taxes, utilities and off site levies.
    Debbie Bonnett, Economic Development Manager
    403.357.2368
    dbonnett@reddeercounty.ab.ca

Economic Base

The spirit of innovation and determination that propelled Alberta's industry in the first 100 years lives on in Red Deer County.

Red Deer County’s unique location, growing economy and competitive advantage make it a great place to do business. Entrepreneurs of large and small businesses are thriving in Red Deer County. 

Within Red Deer County, urban centers have experienced record breaking industrial and residential land sales, as well as major commercial expansion and new developments. Red Deer County works cooperatively with the City of Red Deer to ensure and maintain a strong economic environment for the region.

According to a 2003 report released by TD Economics, we are at the centre of one of the hottest economic regions in the world. Midway between Alberta’s two largest cities on the Highway 2 Corridor, Red Deer County & area provides local business with easy access to a trade area of more than 200,000 people and a distribution capacity of over two million people within a 90-minute drive. Historically an extremely rich agricultural area, Red Deer County has a strong oil and petrochemical sector, as well as value-added processing and manufacturing industries.

Businesses are capitalizing on the Alberta Advantage—a concept coined by the Alberta Government that highlights the unique combination of benefits that make the province an outstanding place to live, work and do business.

Business advantages in the Red Deer Region include:

• a young, skilled and productive workforce
• low operating costs
• high levels of private sector investment and new business starts
• Canada's most attractive tax regime
• highly developed infrastructure
• access to key markets
• growing and diverse economy
• abundant natural resources with rich fertile soil and a generous supply of minerals and forests
• more than just commerce, the Red Deer Region has all of the amenities and services that make for an excellent quality of life

Urban expansion, industrial development, new retail sites and a proliferation of acreages and new rural subdivision continues within Red Deer County. In this new millennium, the region is once again entering a powerful boom with all the benefits of new prosperity and the challenges of managing new growth and change.

Red Deer Corridor...Canada's Economic Capital

The City of Red Deer Land and Economic Development Department, Red Deer County and Red Deer Chamber of Commerce have partnered to create a new community profile designed to attract business and stimulate investment throughout the Red Deer Region.

The community profile includes information on the area's economy, market, location, tax environment, workforce, infrastructure, natural resources, amenities, services and attractions.

The sections of the community profile are presented in PDF format. In order to view, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. You can download the viewer free from Adobe. 

*Please note that the Community Profile was developed and published in 2004 and the statistics and demographics contained within will reflect that. For more up to date statistic please visit www.reddeercorridor.com.

Red Deer Corridor Economic Profile:

Front Cover and Table of Contents 887K 
Chapter 1 - Red Deer Corridor...Canada's Economic Capital 1090K 
Chapter 2 - Thriving Business & Industry 1302K
Chapter 3 - Profiting from our Business Advantage 783K 
Chapter 4 - Moving People, Products & Ideas 1030K
Chapter 5 - Competitive Real Estate Market 460K
Chapter 6 - Enjoying Red Deer 593K 
Back Cover 441K 

Economic Facts

Red Deer County - A Great Place to Do Business!

Red Deer County’s central location, growing economy and competitive advantage make it a great place to do business. Entrepreneurs of large and small businesses are thriving in Red Deer County.

Located in the core of Central Alberta’s trading and distribution center, Red Deer County’s distribution capacity is over two million people within a 160 kilometer radius (100 miles), and has a trade area with over 200,000 people.  Historically an extremely rich agricultural area, the County now has a strong oil and petrochemical sector as well as value-added processing and manufacturing industries.  Red Deer County is also a thriving center for value added agricultural processing with tremendous future growth opportunities.

Within Red Deer County, urban centers have experienced record breaking industrial and residential land sales as well as major commercial expansion and new developments.  Red Deer County works cooperatively with the City of Red Deer to ensure and maintain a strong economic environment for the region.

For more information on doing business in Red Deer County contact the Economic Development Department at 403.357.2368 or read through our Guide for Doing Business in Red Deer County.

Development Activity
Red Deer County continues to see a rise in development activity year after year. The County annually approves millions of dollars worth of development permits with an annual increase of thirty-six per cent. Forty per cent of Red Deer County's development activity comes from Commercial/Industrial uses. Housing starts consistently exceed 100 units annually with an increase of twenty-five per cent.

Development Permits
A development permit is required to construct a new building, renovate an existing building or change the use (or intensity of use) of a property. Red Deer County Land Use Bylaws defines all development regulations and outlines Permitted and Discretionary Uses for land development. A copy can be obtained at the Red Deer County office or online at www.reddeercounty.ab.ca under Community Planning Services.

An application for development is available at the Red Deer County Centre, which is submitted to the Community Planning Services for processing when complete. All required supporting documents must be provided.

Education

Red Deer County is proud of the Region’s education system—a system that includes both Public and Catholic schools.




Chinook's Edge School Division

The Chinook’s Edge School Division prides itself on providing students with the opportunity to obtain the academic, personal, and teamwork skills necessary for life long learning. ith over 600 educators and 11,000 K-12 students serving Central Alberta, Chinook's Edge School Division really is "Where students come first"! For more information on schools in the Chinook's Edge School Division call 1.800.561.9229.

Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division

Approximately 280 teachers are serving more than 5,000 students in 14 schools throughout the Red Deer area. French Immersion, year round schooling and "virtual" school are just a few of the many choices that the Red Deer Catholic Regional Division offers. For more information on schools in the Red Deer Catholic Regional Division call 403.343.1055.

Emergency Services

Red Deer County has an Emergency Management Team, comprised of staff, contracted agencies, and mutual aid partners.

Red Deer County has a state of the art Emergency Operations Center, which will not only serve as a place for County emergency management staff to operate effectively in times of crisis, but is also available to other municipalities to utilize. With SMART Board technology, interactive mapping, audio conferencing, and multiple display capabilities, Red Deer County is ready to effectively manage any emergency situations that may come our way.

Fire Services
Red Deer County operates its own Fire Service with five halls and approximately 60 volunteer fire fighters around the outskirts of the City of Red Deer- Central Park, Poplar Ridge, Springbrook, Spruce View and Station 1 (at the corner of 30th Avenue and Hwy 595).

Fire Services are provided in the other areas of the County by agreements with Delburne, Elnora, Bowden, Sylvan Lake, and the Innisfail Farm Fire Association. All Fire services are funded annually through a Fire Levy tax assessment. During the past two years three new pumper trucks have been placed in service with the contracted departments, and this practice will continue in future years.

County Patrol 
County Patrol Officers are mandated, through their appointment as Bylaw Officers and Special Constables, to enforce county Bylaws and selected Provincial statutes.

Patrol priorities are the protection of the County road infrastructure, safe movement of traffic throughout the County, and assisting the County Development department in the enforcement of the Land Use Bylaw. 2003 saw the hiring of an additional Patrol Officer, to meet Council’s goal of making Red Deer County a safe place to live, work and grow.

Our County Patrol has an excellent working relationship with the five RCMP Detachments who police Red Deer County - Red Deer Rural, Sylvan Lake, Innisfail, Olds, and Three Hills. Much consultation has occurred at the Administrative level as well, to ensure that all areas of the County are receiving the same levels of service.

Emergency Numbers: 
RCMP Emergency (All detachments) 911
FIRE Emergency (All departments) 911
MEDICAL Emergency 911
 

Health Care

David Thompson Health Region

A full range of First class health care services are provided by the David Thompson Health Region. The David Thompson Health Region serves much of Central Alberta and is based in Red Deer.  The authority employs 350 physicians ensuring a full range of health care including acute and continuing care, and diagnostic services.

Alberta Health Link
Health Link Alberta is a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week nurse telephone advice and health information service. You can call us from anywhere in the province by dialing:
Calgary 403.943.5465 Edmonton 780.408.5465 or Toll-Free 1.866.408.5465. Highly trained registered nurses will provide you with advice and information about health symptoms and concerns that you or a member of your family may be experiencing. Health Link can also help you find appropriate services and health information.

Key Contacts for Business Development

Main Municipal Address:

Red Deer County Centre
38106 RGE RD 275,
Red Deer County, AB T4S 2L9
Tel: 403.350.2150
Fax: 403.346.9840
E-mail:  info@reddeercounty.ab.ca

Office location Map

 Contact Information:

Earl Kinsella, Reeve
403.350.2295
ekinsella@reddeercounty.ab.ca

Robert Coon, County Manager
403.350.2152
rcoon@reddeercounty.ab.ca

Debbie Bonnett, Economic Development Manager
403.357.2368
dbonnett@reddeercounty.ab.ca

Location

The Red Deer Region is in Central Alberta, Canada located almost midway between Calgary and Edmonton within the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor. The Region is located in the Parkland, a region of rolling hills focused on oil, grain and cattle production. 

Red Deer County is located along Alberta Highway #2 which connects to many of Alberta’s major roadways including Highways #1 and #16 running east/west, David Thompson Highway #11 running east/west and Highway #12 and #9 running eastbound to Saskatchewan.  The Region’s location at the crossroads of major air, rail and ground transportation routes offer a range of choices for shipping goods and purchasing supplies.

Red Deer Regional Airport is 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) southwest of the City of Red Deer and is primarily used for commercial charter flights, recreational use and training as well as regularly scheduled connector passenger service. 

Edmonton International Airport is located 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of Red Deer and Calgary International Airport is 140 kilometers (87 miles) to the south.  Both airports offer daily flights to all major Canadian and United States destinations with connections to Europe and the Pacific Rim. 

The area’s trucking routes are conducive to doing business comfortably and efficiently and rail transport is provided by Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific (CP).

Post Secondary Education

Exceptional training centers ensure a skilled and active labor force, trained in diverse fields of expertise. Red Deer College, with its broad range of technical and academic programming, offers a wide range of post-secondary courses and is eager to tailor a program designed to fit your industry specific training needs.

Red Deer College offers over 80 programs to suit students' academic and career goals. Whether students want to fast-track their way into the work force with a career certificate or diploma program, apprentice in a skilled trade or earn a university degree, Red Deer College is able to meet their academic needs. Continuing education, academic upgrading and literacy programs are also available. For more information, contact Red Deer College at 403.342.3300.

Taxation

The tax rate in Red Deer County is highly competitive with other areas of Alberta. County property taxes are comprised of school taxes, municipal taxes and specific requisitions for recreation, fire and library services. Assessments are based on market values determined by the marketplace. Assessments, and the resulting tax, reflect a 12 month period (January 1 - December 31). Tax notices are mailed in May and must be paid prior to July 31 to avoid late payment penalties.

A typical* home in Red Deer County pays taxes based on the following mill rates:

	2006	2005	2004	2003	2002
Educational Support	3.76	4.28	4.54	4.67	4.67
Municipal Services	3.61	3.91	3.85	3.95	4.25
Fire District Support	0.50	0.50	0.50	0.50	0.50
Recreation System (average)	0.30	0.30	0.30	0.30	0.26
Parkland Regional Library	0.04	0.05	0.04	0.04	0.04
Total	8.21	9.04	9.23	9.46	9.72

Transportation

The Region’s location at the crossroads of major air, rail and ground transportation routes offer a range of choices for shipping goods and purchasing supplies.

The Queen Elizabeth II Highway runs north and south through the entre of Red Deer County and connects local businesses to suppliers and markets on the Canamex Corridor, a 2,736 kms (1700 mile) highway system that links Canada, the US and Mexico. This corridor also connects to many of Alberta’s east/west thoroughfares including Highways 1 and David Thompson Highway 11 and Highway 12 and 9 running eastbound to Saskatchewan. 

Red Deer Regional Airport is 12 km (7.5 miles) southwest of the City of Red Deer now has regularly scheduled passenger flights in Western Canada, in addition to commercial charter flights, recreational use and training. A significant portion of its property is available for aviation related development.

Edmonton International Airport is located 120 kms (75 miles) north of Red Deer, and Calgary International Airport is 140 kms (87 miles) to the south. Both airports offer daily flights to all major Canadian and United States destinations with connections to Europe and the Pacific Rim.

Trunk lines servicing Canada's two major railways, Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railway, travel through the Region, and connect it to all points of the compass. Intermodal services located in Calgary and Edmonton combine the flexibility of local truck pick-up and delivery services with train car delivery.

Utilities

Red Deer County has a five-year utility management agreement with EPCOR to operate and maintain the water, wastewater and storm systems in Springbrook, Spruce View, Benalto, South Hills and Lousana. 

The County prepares billing for multi-lot subdivision sewer and water as well as refuse collection.  The installation of individual on-site services (wells and septic systems) or any other biological waste treatment disposal system is the developer’s responsibility.  Gas and power utilities are provided by rural utility franchises. 

The greater part of the County receives gas services from:
ATCO Gas, Burnt Lake Gas Co-op Ltd., Crossroads Gas Co-Op Ltd., Diamond Valley Gas Co-Op Ltd., Foothills Gas Co-Op Ltd., Gull Lake Gas Co-Op Ltd.,  and Rock Gas Co-Op Ltd.

Power services are provided by:
Fortis Alberta (formerly Aquila Networks Canada), AltaLink Management Ltd., Alberta Power Ltd., Central Alberta Rural Electrification Association and EPCOR.

Red Deer County prepares billing for multi-lot subdivision sewer and water as well as garbage pick up. Landowners that draw their water from a well must contact individual water well drilling companies listed in the yellow pages for pricing information.

The County does not install septic systems and all questions regarding sewage lagoons, septic tanks / fields or any other biological waste disposal systems must be directed to installation professionals listed in the yellow pages.

For more information on utility management in Red Deer County click here.

Population

Total Population 1991-2001

Red Deer County Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Red Deer County Highest Level of Schooling 2001

Labour Force

Red Deer County Labour Force By Industry - 2001

Income

Family Expenditure

Red Deer County Family Expenditures (1996)

Building Permits

Total Housing Starts

Value of Building Permits

Dwellings

Farming

Red Deer County Total Farm Area : 1,860 acres

# of Farms by Total Farm Area

Total Gross Farm Receipts

Farming, Continued

Age of Farm Operators

Projects

Summary of Projects in Red Deer County as of September 2006

Value of Projects by Sector (as of September 2006)

Largest Projects in Red Deer County as of September 2006