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St. Albert is Alberta's Fifth Top Investment Town
The Canadian Real Estate Investment Network is currently working on its Top Alberta Investment Towns report and St. Albert is number five on the list. The report identifies cities, towns, and regions that are poised to outperform other regions of the province over the next five years. The report compares areas based on average income, population growth, job creation, major employers, political leadership, progressive economic development offices, infrastructure, and transportation along with other criteria.
Top Alberta Investment Towns (2012)
- Calgary
- Edmonton
- Airdrie
- Red Deer
- St. Albert
- Fort McMurray
- Lethbridge
- Grande Prairie
- Okotoks
- Leduc
- Sylvan Lake
- Lacombe
An excerpt from the executive summary highlights that our continued focus on economic development is recognized and seen favourably. "Once known solely as a bedroom community to Edmonton, the leadership in St. Albert has worked hard to shed this label by becoming an employment center. It has turned itself into a major retail center for the region while adding to its industrial and commercial job base. And the city is poised to witness another growth spurt over the coming decade. As the economic arteries are once again re-opened (such as the completion of Ray Gibbon drive and the northwest portion of the Edmonton Ring Road), we will witness new companies attracted to this city strategically situated on major transportation routes to service the province, tapping into the higher educated population.
If consistently low vacancies, high rents, and strong property value increases located in a strategically situated city surrounded by a major job base is something you are looking for as an investor (and you should be), then St. Albert fits the bill".
The complete report should be available in 2013 at www.realestateinvestingincanada.com. |
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Cultivating Winter Front Yards
According to the 2012/2013 Almanac Alberta should be prepared to chill out this winter; and expect above normal snowfall.
So put on your winter boots; put on your creative hat & think about snow and cold in a different way...would a family of snowmen with black top hats, and tartan scarfs make you and your neighbours smile? What about an igloo lit from the inside that glows warmly even through the coldest night, or an arrangement of evergreens, accessorized with gold and silver bells, ribbon and holly...or if yoga is your business...what about a downward dog ice sculpture? All of this and more is part of cultivating winter front yards contest.
The winter contest is open to all businesses and residents within the city limits. Nominate yourself or someone else today. Nomination forms can be found at www.cultivatebusiness.ca.
Judging of winter front yards will be done by volunteer judges the last week of January. The winner receives an engraved granite stepping stone and a $250.00 gift certificate from A1 Heating. Thanks to A1 Heating for sponsorship of this category. For more information please call Joan at 780.459.1725. |
| Value of Small Business
The Province of Alberta recently released their report, Small Business, Big Impact, which highlights the dynamic impact entrepreneurs have on our economy. Alberta is famous for its big oil and gas companies but the report paints a different picture of business in Alberta.
- 96% of all business in Alberta have fewer than 50 employees
- Small businesses contribute 27% of the annual provincial GDP
- Small businesses are responsible for 36% of private sector employment
In St. Albert, we have just over 2400 businesses and their average number of employees is between 8 and 9. Each and every one of these companies is a valuable contributor to our community. At St. Albert Economic Development, we're focused on ensuring the strength and vibrancy of our small business community. If you have any ideas or suggestions for us, please email dfedorvich@st-albert.net. |
Great Bosses Keep Great Employees
The top issue facing Alberta business is attracting and keeping great employees. Articles have reported that upwards of 100,000 workers are required in Alberta; for all industries from service businesses to manufacturing to professional services. Locally, the majority of residents work outside of the city. As a St. Albert business person, how can you attract and keep your great employees? Simple - Be a great boss! Inc. magazine recently had an article on Seven Unusual Things Great Bosses Do, are you doing them?
- Show vulnerability - recognize your staff's strengths and ask for their help
- Give a nudge - allow employees to make ideas their own
- Give unexpected attention - notice and commend the small things
- Give them a break - when good employees mess up, they know it, let it go and help them fix it
- Give them a peak inside your mind - let employees know you're in it together
- Give an undeserved complement - complement potential and employees will live up to it
- Provide a hat rack - when employees come to you "hat in hand", help them
We all want to work for leaders that have a clear vision and are approachable and inspiring. If you can provide that for your staff, they'll want to stay and they'll want to be great. |
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Focusing on...
Threshold Energies Corporation
Did you know that 74% of Alberta's home energy costs could be met with geothermal energy? That statistic intrigued me as I don't know very much about geothermal energy. I thought it was only available for certain locations but actually, solar geothermal can be implemented everywhere on the planet. Did you also know that St. Albert is home to industry leaders in geothermal and other green energies?
Leigh Bond, president of Threshold Energies Corporation, took a few minutes to introduce us to his business. Threshold Energies is a leading alternative energy design and build contractor. They started as a home based business in 2005 and as residents it was a natural extension to grow their business into commercial space in the Campbell Business Park. They work with home builders and contractors to design and install the infrastructure required to outfit a home or business with renewable energy. Geothermal is just one of their products. They can also help you with Solar Hot Water, Solar Electricity and Wind Energy.
 | | Leigh Bond, Threshold Energies Corporation |
As industry leaders, Leigh and his staff are also involved in moving the geothermal industry forward. Threshold has been a key player in the formation of the Alberta Geothermal Energy Association. Their involvement, along with many others in the industry, has led to an installer training course being offered at NAIT. Threshold Energies has also been a key player in offering consumer education through the Continuing Education department of the Edmonton Public School Board.
Educating stakeholders and staff, is what really makes Threshold stand out from others. Leigh highlighted this when he said, "we spend a significant amount on training and education. This has led to recognition in the marketplace that we are the company to turn to when questions arise either in the design of new renewable energy systems or for remedial service. Since we design and install technologies that are new in the Alberta market, we believe that it is imperative that we continue to learn at a pace that is faster than our competitors".
As 27 year residents of St. Albert, Leigh mentioned that his favourite thing about the city is that it continues to thrive and he enjoys the changes. Want to see this geothermal business in action? Threshold Energies has partnered with Montorio Homes to incorporate a geothermal system in a show home located in the Trumpeter by Big Lake subdivision. Check it out or visit their website www.GoThreshold.com for more information.
Threshold Energies Corporation
Leigh Bond, President
#120, 71 Corriveau Ave.
St. Albert, Alberta
phone: 780.459.9433
toll free: 1.866.458.09741
Email: leigh.bond@GoThreshold.com
Web: www.GoThreshold.com
Hours: 8am-5pm Mon - Fri
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New Businesses in St. Albert
Commercial/Industrial Businesses
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SAVE THE DATE! St. Albert Economic Development Annual Business Breakfast : February 26, 2013  |
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