Location

Okotoks is nestled in the Sheep River Valley of the Alberta Foothills, 20 kms south of Calgary on Highway 2/2A. Okotoks has centrally-located access to a number of destinations, including downtown Calgary or the Calgary International Airport (40 minutes), Banff National Park (2 hours), Lethbridge (2 hours), Radium/Invermere (3 hours), and Waterton National Park (2.5 hours).

Population

• •Second highest population growth rate of Alberta’s towns (46.7%)from 2001 to 2006. ~8% population growth in 2007 and 2008.• Fastest population growth for mid-size urban centres in Canada from 2001 to 2006.
• The 1998 Municipal Development Plan established growth targets linked toinfrastructure development limitations. The anticipated population at ‘buildout’will be approximately 30,000 people.
• Second highest population growth rate of Alberta’s towns (46.7%) from 2001 to 2006. ~8% population growth in 2007 and 2008.
• Fastest population growth for mid-size urban centres in Canada from 2001 to 2006.
• The 1998 Municipal Development Plan established growth targets linked to infrastructure development limitations. The anticipated population at ‘buildout’ will be approximately 30,000 people.

Trade Area

Okotoks is the regional centre of commercial activity with a trade area of approximately 85,000. This includes Okotoks, High River, Black Diamond, Turner Valley, Vulcan, Nanton and rural areas encompassing approximately 2,000 square kms. Trade area for tourism, industrial, selected retail and professional services businesses extends as far as Calgary (trade area: 1,000,000).

Transportation

• Road: Highway 2A (to High River)
• Highway 2 (Calgary – Lethbridge)
• Highway 7 & 22 (to Turner Valley/B.C.)
• Air: Okotoks Air Park – 3000 ft. lighted runway
• Rail: CP Main Rail Line (limited spur access)
• Bus: Scheduled Greyhound Service

Employment Base

Agriculture, education, construction, transport, trade, professional services, retail, home-based business.

Light Industrial/Commercial Lands

Approximately 300 acres of developable industrial/commercial land in several locations are in varying stages of planning approvals and infrastructure servicing. Contact Economic Development for more information at 403.938.8907 or 403.938.8052 www.okotoks.ca (Business pages)

Utilities

Electricity/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 www.ucahelps.gov.ab.ca
• Electricity: EPCOR (regulated): 403.310.4300 or www.epcor.ca Natural Gas: Direct Energy (regulated): 1.866.420.3174 or www.directenergyregulatedservices.com

Municipal Rates (2009):

• Water – $11.49 bi-monthly + $5.04/1000 gallons (first 5000 gallons), $6.16/1000 gallons (5000 to 15,000 gallons), $7.00/1000 gallons (over 15,000 gallons)
• Sewage – $11.89 bi-monthly + $6.69/1000 gallons Refuse Flat Fee (residential) – $18.17 bi-monthly
• Recycling – Residential, Multi-Family and Commercial $7.37 bi-monthly
• Okotoks operates an award-winning recycling/composting facility.

Communications

Newspapers

• Okotoks Western Wheel (weekly) www.westernwheel.com
• Gateway Gazette www.gateway.skylinedesign.ca
• Radio The Eagle 100.9 FM www.discoverfoothills.com
• Sun Country 99.7 www.sun99radio.com
• AM 1140 (High River)

Telephone

• TELUS: 403.310.2255 (residential), 403.310.3100 (business), or www.telus.com, Shaw: 403.716.6000
• TV Shaw: 403.716.6000 or www.shaw.ca
• Internet High speed Internet service is available through TELUS, Shaw, or Platinum Communications (www.platinum.ca)

Note: Shaw and TELUS both offer phone, TV, and Internet services. Platinum offers phone over Internet (VoIP) service.

Emergency Services

• Okotoks has a fully integrated police, fire, ambulance and emergency response service (911) Municipal Enforcement: 403.938.8913
• Police – RCMP Detachment in Okotoks: 403.938.4202

Education

• 3 nursery schools
• 5 Early Childhood Service (ECS) and elementary schools
• 2 junior high schools
• 2 regional high schools
• 2 private schools

Medical

• High River Hospital – 15 minutes south
• Black Diamond Hospital – 15 minutes west
• Okotoks Health and Wellness Centre: 403.995.2600 Urgent Care Hrs: 7am-10pm
• Full range of medical service clinics

Future Growth Sectors

Professional and commercial retail/services, local and regional industrial growth (high tech, ‘green’, warehousing, transportation, manufacturing), home-based businesses, tele-commuters, Calgary commuters, seniors/retirees, relocations motivated by lifestyle choice.