Businesses

Strathcona County is Canada's energy engine, enabler of success, and community of choice.

Businesses

Strathcona County is a thriving commuity for business and industry. As the third-largest municipality in Alberta, our region encompasses the urban centre of Sherwood Park, eight smaller hamlets, as well as several rural communities. With a robust business commuity, our region offers many strategic business advantages.

Economy

In the News:

Heartland Industry and Community Information Evening
(Life in the Heartland)

Starting or growing a business?

Economic Development and Tourism department.

Sherwood Pak & District Chamber of Commerce.
  • Part of a robust local and regional economy with over 7,900 businesses and growing each year. These range from large corporations to independent, home-based businesses.
  • Access to a market area of 1.16 million people in Alberta's Capital Region.
  • Over 500,000 square feet of commercial space available and in development.
  • $13 billion in major projects announced or in construction.
  • The Sherwood Park & District Chamber of Commerce has over 1,000 members, and is the third-largest business chamber in Alberta.
  • One of the founding members of Alberta's Industrial Heartland, home to 75 per cent of refining in Western Canada.
  • Home to over 700 farms and 85,000 hectares of agricultural land, positioned for agri-food processing and agri-tourism.

Population

  • Strathcona County's population is 92,490 in total (64,733 in Sherwood Park, 27,757 in rural areas.
  • This is a 12.1 per cent increase over the past five years, compared to 5.9 per cent for the Canadian average.
  • One of the highest disposal incomes in Alberta.

Source: 2011 Federal Census. (For more information, see our news release).

Connections

  • Centrally-located in Alberta's Capital Region, immediately to the east of the City of Edmonton
  • Less than 30 minutes from the Edmonton International Airport and only 20 minutes from downtown Edmonton
  • Connected by major road networks such as the Trans-Canada Yellowhead Highway (Highway 16) and Anthony Henday Drive (Highway 216)
  • Rail service by both CN and Canadian Pacific
  • Strathcona County provides extensive transit services, both local and commuter trips

Labour force and education

  • Highly productive labour force, with over 55.3% of residents over the age of 15 with some post-secondary education.
  • Strong Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PSTS) sectors. There ae over 1,380 PSTS businesses in Strathcona County, or aproximately 18% of th locl economy.
  • Best place in Canada for jobs (Source: MoneySense Magazine, 2012).
  • Cost-competitiveness: no business tax, no licensing fee.
  • Low provincial and corporate taxes.

Quality of life

  • Centre in the Park (CITP) is a vibrant, mixed-use downtown area in Sherwood Park.
  • CITP is home a state of the art Community Centre, the Strathcona Public Library, Gallery@501 (art gallery), Festival Place (performing arts centre), and Broadmoor Lake park.
  • Over 10 major recreation facilities are located throughout Strathcona County including Millennium Place, Broadmoor Golf Course, Strathcona Wilderness Centre, Ardrossan Recreation Complex, and many others.

More information about business opportunities in Strathcona County.

Last updated: Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Page ID: 4491

County Hall: 2001 Sherwood Drive, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada T8A 3W7