Strathcona County

Welcome

On behalf of Strathcona County Council, thank you for your interest in our community.

Our Council is a dedicated group working as a team with our citizens, our very active volunteers and our employees to make this an even better place to live, work and play. We are proud of the services we share and have built together to provide spiritual, social, recreational, educational and economic benefits.

A unique residential lifestyle - both urban and rural; a range of institutional and shopping facilities and small industries; an excellent education system, recreational programs and facilities catering to people of all ages; and fire, ambulance and police services to rival those of most large cities are a few of the amenities our community takes pride in.

Strathcona County is located in the centre of industrial Alberta, adjacent to the provincial capital, Edmonton. We are Alberta's leading industrial municipality as measured by the value of manufactured goods. Almost 7,000 businesses and organizations are located in Strathcona County including 200 manufacturing industries. They are serving over 80,000 people locally as well as millions in markets near and far afield.

So why Strathcona County? No business license; no business tax; a strong and growing local market - Alberta's third largest municipality; a prime location in the heart of Canada's sixth largest metro region serving 1 million people; fully-serviced land competitively priced; highly-skilled labour force; immediate access to major transportation routes, political dedication to promoting economic growth and a friendly family-orientated community. Our anticipated residential, commercial and industrial growth and the business and investment opportunities combined with a political dedication to growth creates a very positive business environment.

If you wish to consider our community as home for your business, please contact Gerry Gabinet, Manager, Economic Development & Tourism at 1-800-668-5894 or myself at (780)464-8000.

Yours sincerely,

Cathy Olesen,
MAYOR STRATHCONA COUNTY

County Hall

Area Overview

Young and vibrant, Strathcona County offers a unique blend of urban and rural lifestyles with a solid -- and growing -- economic base.

Ideally located in central Alberta, Strathcona County accommodates a range of industrial and commercial development within its 480 square miles -- from cottage industries and one-person operations to world-scale plants with more than 400 employees. Situated adjacent to Edmonton, the provincial capital, Strathcona's market base of 1 million and a transportation infrastructure including Canada's newest Trans Canada Highway, two national rail lines and close proximity to an international airport cannot be rivalled by any other community within the metropolitan region.

Some of the advantages which make Strathcona a preferred community in which to locate include: no business tax - no business license; proactive economic development philosophy; efficient transportation links to major markets; wide range of industrial development; extensive infrastructure; investment and development opportunities; substantial market base; solid industrial base; urban amenities in a rural atmosphere; high quality of life; high-quality education; wide range of recreational opportunities; and diversity in residential styles.

Home to more than 80,000 people, Strathcona County offers a quality of life without parallel. Residential options range from family and hobby farming, executive country acreage living and lakeside dwelling to neighbourhood lifestyles in well-planned subdivisions -- all within convenient access to urban amenities.

Residents of Strathcona enjoy a first- class educational system, as well as close proximity to excellent post-secondary institutions. The University of Alberta, Canada's second largest university, is just a 15-minute drive from Sherwood Park.

Residents also have the advantage of a full range of recreational facilities and activities; excellent health facilities and social services; and well-trained, well-equipped police and emergency response units.

Climate

See Climate section on

www.strathconacounty.com

Community Services

Visit Resident for details on:

• Communities
• Housing
• Education
• Public safety
• Entertainment
• Health
• Library
• Transit
• Utilities, and
• Recreation

Visit Visitor for details on:

• One with nature
• Museums and history
• Farms and stables
• Cycling and walking
• Golf
• Winter recreation
• Water Activities
• Dining
• Shops and markets
• Arts
• Sports and fitness
• Accommodations; and
• Conference facilities

Community Lifestyle

Relaxing Rural Lifestyle

Strathcona County epitomizes the quality of life that people seek: a clean community, a high standard of living, and all the conveniences of a progressive, modern community.

You can inhale the fresh air, delight in the wide open spaces and succumb to the pleasures of creating a clean, safe haven for yourself in a location far, far from the fast lane. While savoring the advantages of a relaxed, rural setting, you can take comfort in the thriving urban centres of Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, and Edmonton, Alberta’s capital. You can have the best of both worlds!

Strathcona County is a perfect place to mix relaxation with work. Hundreds of Strathcona County residents have successful home-based businesses. These one-person specialist companies include tree farms, ostrich and emu properties, quaint country cafes and bed and breakfast inns. Whether you choose to live, work or play in Strathcona County, you’ll enjoy it. It’s only natural!

Complete Urban Amenities

Strathcona residents have a variety of urban amenities to choose from, both in the County itself and in nearby Edmonton. Sherwood Park boasts numerous restaurants, drug stores, medical clinics, grocery stores, shops, professional services and banks. In addition, County residents can take advantage of a full range of recreational facilities and activities, excellent health care and social services, and well-trained, well-equipped police and emergency response units.

Festival Place in Broadmoor Lake Park

Economic Base

Strathcona County is dedicated to serving its local businesses. The mayor and council are strong advocates of planned development. Likewise, County departments strive to serve businesses and meet their individual needs. Strathcona’s Economic Development and Tourism department works to enhance existing businesses and to attract new developments to the area. In turn, companies find a suitable and hospitable place to locate their business and profit.

Strathcona County’s government responds effectively to the needs of the private sector by espousing a philosophy of “growth through partnership.” In years past, Strathcona County has formed partnerships not only with private businesses, but also with its neighbouring municipalities and the University of Alberta.

A pro-business environment, a favorable tax regime, strong economic growth, a productive labor force, skilled workers, low manufacturing wages, a large customer base, access to suppliers, economical ground transportation, and efficient transportation links are some of the reasons why Strathcona County is your natural location for business.

Visit Business for details on:

• Market
• Future outlook
• Business environment
• Starting a business
• Workforce
• Taxation
• Transportation
• Research and development
• Protective services
• Utilities and communication
• Statistics and publications
• Property locator, and
• Policies, bylaws and permits

Key Contacts for Business Development

Municipal

Strathcona County
2001 Sherwood Drive
Sherwood Park, Alberta T8A 3W7
Tel: 780-464-8111
Fax: 780-464-8050

Cathy Oleson
Mayor

W.G.S.(Bill) Sutherland
Chief Commissioner
Tel: 780-464-8100
Fax: 780-464-8050
sutherla@strathcona.ab.ca

Gerry Gabinet
Manager, Economic Development & Tourism
2001 Sherwood Drive
Sherwood Park, Alberta T8A 3W7
Tel: 780-464-8257 or 1-800-668-5894
Fax: 780-464-8444
gabinet@strathcona.ab.ca

Kyle Reiling
Coordinator Business Development and Investment
Economic Development & Tourism
2001 Sherwood Drive
Sherwood Park, Alberta T8A 3W7
Tel: 780-464-8285 or 1-800-668-5894
Fax: 780-464-8444
reiling@strathcona.ab.ca

Provincial

David Pattison
Director, Edmonton Region
Regional Development Branch
Alberta Economic Development
5th Floor, Commerce Place
10155 - 102 Street
Edmonton, AB T5J 4L6
Tel: 780-427-6648
Fax: 780-422-5804
E-Mail: david.pattison@gov.ab.ca

Hon. Iris Evans
Minister of Health and Wellness
Member of the Legislative Assembly [MLA]
Sherwood Park Constituency
Legislature Office:
#107, 10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Tel: 780-415-4890
Fax: 780-415-4859

Constituency Office:
#116B, 937 Fir Street
Sherwood Park, AB T8A 4N6
Tel: 780-417-4747
Fax: 780-417-4748

Federal

Ken Epp
Member of Parliament [MP]
Elk Island Constituency
Legislature Office:
Parliament Hill
Room 615, Confederation Building
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Tel: 613-995-3611
Fax: 613-995-3612

Constituency Office:
141 Seneca Road
Sherwood Park, AB T8A 4G6
Tel: 780-467-4944
Fax: 780-449-1471

Location

Strathcona County is located just east of the City of Edmonton. It is bounded by the Counties of Lamont and Beaver to the east, the County of Leduc to the south, the City of Edmonton to the west and the Municipal District of Sturgeon to the north.

Taxation

Visit the Taxation section on our website at Business

Or for infomation on the current tax rates.....

2006 Tax Rates for Strathcona County

For more information contact: Strathcona County Assessment at 464-8196

Population

Total Population 1991-2001

Strathcona County Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Strathcona County Highest Level of Schooling 2001