We Love showcasing our community. 2021 City of Airdrie Economic Profile
2021 Economic Profile | 1
2021 City of Airdrie Economic Profile City of Airdrie 400 Main Street SE Airdrie, AB, T4B 3C3 403.948.8844 1.888.AIRDRIE (247.3743) airdrie.ca
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Although data is up-to-date as of March 2021, the reader is advised to verify all data before making decisions based on the information contained in this document. Every effort was made to use the most current data available. The following are the sources of information for this document: • The 2016 Statistics Canada Census • 2019 City of Airdrie Census (most current, 2020 was not a census year) • Manifold SuperDemographics V 1.0 April 2021 Copyright © All Rights Reserved City of Airdrie
2 | City of Airdrie
Table of contents Welcome to Airdrie
04
Reasons to Choose Airdrie Location & Market Access
05
06
Business Community
08
Local Businesses
10
Business Development Talent & Population Services
12 14 16
Community
Recreation Education
17
18
Arts & Culture
19
Business Resources
20
22
2021 Economic Profile | 3
We Love To call each other neighbours. Welcome to Airdrie Airdrie is a city of neighbours, entrepreneurs and visionaries. We have experienced exponential growth over the past decade, bringing with it new residents, new businesses and new ideas. What hasn’t changed is our strong sense of community, welcoming nature and desire to chase opportunities. Airdrie is part of the Calgary Region, located in southern Alberta, 15 minutes north of the Calgary International Airport. Home to over 70,000 residents, 1,000 commercial/industrial businesses and 1,800 home-based businesses. Airdrie stands out as a vibrant, healthy community in one of the nation’s fastest growing regions.
We invite you to discover Airdrie. To further explore opportunities, contact Airdrie Economic Development. 403.948.8844 | 1.888.247.3743 economic.development@airdrie.ca Subscribe to our e-newsletter at airdrie.ca/airdrieatwork 4 | City of Airdrie
Just a few reasons businesses love it here.
Among the lowest property tax rates in Alberta
Commercial and industrial lands ready for development
One of the fastest growing communities in Canada
74% of residents are under the age of 50
2021 Economic Profile | 5
We love our central location. Location Airdrie is located along the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor (Queen Elizabeth II Highway) - the busiest highway in Alberta and one of the fastest growing and wealthiest regions in Canada.
Market Access Airdrie is perfectly situated just a few minutes away from the Trans-Canada Highway, 15 minutes to the Calgary International Airport and 30 minutes to downtown Calgary. The City’s central location provides Airdrie businesses with access to a local trade area of over 130,000 people, regional market of almost 1.5 million people and 24-hour delivery time to a market of 50 million people in Canada and the US Pacific Northwest.
15 minutes to Calgary and the YYC airport 6 | City of Airdrie
Local Trade area of 130,000 people
Distance to Major Markets: • • • • • • •
Calgary (34 km) Edmonton (267 km) US Border Peigan Port (286 km) Saskatoon (583 km) Vancouver (994 km) Seattle, WA, USA (1161 km) Winnipeg (1346 km)
Regional market of 1.5 million people
24-hour delivery time to 50 million people
Roads
• Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Highway • Convenient access to Highway 22 High Load Corridor (N/S trade corridor) • CANMEX Highway (linking Alaska to Mexico) • Quick access to the TransCanada Highway (E/W trade corridor)
Alberta, Canada
Rail
• CN Calgary Logistics Park – 32 km • Canadian Pacific Railway - Calgary Intermodal Terminal - 48 km Fort McMurray
Air
• Calgary International Airport (YYC) – 22 km 2
Grande Prairie
Distance to Major Markets by Air:
Edmonton
ky nt
ou
M ns
ai
Edmonton – 50 minutes Saskatoon – 1 hour 10 minutes Vancouver – 1 hour 30 minutes Winnipeg – 1 hour 55 minutes Seattle – 1 hour 55 minutes Toronto – 3 hours 40 minutes
c Ro
• • • • • •
Airdrie Calgary
1
2021 Economic Profile | 7
WE EMBRACE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT. business Community According to our most recent business satisfaction survey, 86 per cent of businesses agree that ‘Airdrie is a good place to do business.’ Quality of life, location, community growth and access to customer bases were listed as the top benefits of doing business in Airdrie.
Entrepreneurial Training SMARTstart, Airdrie’s entrepreneurial training program, originated in 2014 and has helped over 100 entrepreneurs since then. It was designed by a group of local partners and is delivered right here in Airdrie. Its purpose is to provide real-world business skills and access to tailor-made advice to increase the chance of new businesses surviving those first crucial years. Through online learning, in-person seminars and mentorship, SMARTstart gives entrepreneurs with an idea and new business owners the tools to build a plan that will help set their business up for success.
2020 Highlights:
2,862
Airdrie businesses
Total Business Licenses
347
New Full and Part-Time Jobs Added (Industrial/Commercial)
New Business openings
Home-based business
1,801
Home-based business
431
Commercial/Industrial
1,061
Commercial/Industrial
78
8 | City of Airdrie
6 national financial institutions 2 employment services agencies 6 law offices 15 accounting offices 8 networking professional support organizations
2021 Economic Profile | 9
National and International businesses Airdrie is home to businesses across a broad range of sectors. View a listing of Airdrie’s major employers at airdrie.ca/majoremployers.
Non-residential growth in 2020 We welcomed a number of new developments in 2020 resulting in:
304,568 sq. ft. of commercial/industrial space 10 | City of Airdrie
2021 Economic Profile | 11
We love to support business growth. Open for business Through their strategic priorities, City Council has committed to attracting new business/industry and growing existing business as well as revitalizing our downtown. The objective is to shift the City’s assessment split to 75 per cent residential and 25 per cent non-residential. There are a number of locations within the city with appropriate zoning to support new business ventures.
12 | City of Airdrie
Airdrie has a number of locations to accommodate new and expanded businesses. Future lands are expected to accommodate growth for an additional 70,000 residents and 20,000 jobs over the next +20 years. Combined with a priority of revitalizing downtown there is ample business and development opportunities in Airdrie that have never existed before.
business locations Future
Davy Creek
industrial
highland business park
Gateway commerce centre
commercial
Airdrie Crossing westhills East Points industrial Creekside DowNTown
edmonton trail East Lake Industrial
midtown Bayside
Sierra Springs Commercial Kingsview Market
Cooper’s Crossing
Southwest Airdrie
South Point Commercial
balgray
Kingsview industrial
Airdrie airpark
2 2021 Economic Profile | 13
We love our young and growing population. Airdrie’s population growth
61,842
49,560
2015
54,891
64,922
58,690
2019
2017
2016
45,711
2018
2012
2013
2014
Airdrie continues to be one of the fastest growing communities in Canada, with it’s population doubling in the last decade. This equates to an average annual growth rate of 5.16 per cent, and 6.8 new residents per day.
68,091
70,564
*2019 Civic Census data, 2020 was not a census year
airdrie’s population is projected to reach 100,000 residents by 2035 14 | City of Airdrie
Average Age
33 Airdrie 38 provincial
Talent A qualified and diverse workforce supports the growth and expansion of the city’s business base. Our highly-skilled workforce is sought after for their talent and expertise; 65 per cent of our residents possess a post-secondary education.
airdrie labour force
78% residents are available to work 72% employment rate 8% unemployment rate employment income
23% than 9% more provincial average more than provincial mediAN
Average Income
$65,213 $59,961 Airdrie
provincial
2021 Economic Profile | 15
We love to connect business with great services. Services Utilities
Airdrie and Alberta offer a reliable network of cost-competitive and high-quality utility services for your business.
Water and Wastewater
The City of Airdrie purchases high-quality drinking water from the City of Calgary. Residential and non-residential customer properties are serviced from this network, with wastewater then returned to the City of Calgary for treatment. All usage (residential and non-residential) is metered. Businesses are responsible for purchasing water meters from the City of Airdrie (which will supply and install the meter).
Electricity and Natural Gas
Electricity and natural gas are deregulated in Alberta. Visit the Government of Alberta’s Utilities Consumer Advocate site: ucahelps.alberta.ca for more information.
16 | City of Airdrie
Garbage Collection and Recycling
Businesses are responsible for making their own arrangements for garbage and recycling collection. A number of local providers can meet your waste and recycling needs. Visit the City’s business directory at airdrie.ca/businessdirectory to learn more.
Telecommunications
Airdrie is wired. A range of telecommunications providers service Airdrie to meet your telephone, wireless, and Internet needs. The City of Airdrie is excited to be working together with TELUS to bring their PureFibre™ network to our area. Once complete, homes and businesses in the city will be able to connect to the fibre optic network.
Airdrie Community Health Centre
Provides 24-hour access to care for unexpected, non-life-threatening health concerns, which require same day treatment. Patients with life threatening conditions are treated in emergency departments within Calgary and area.
Transit
Airdrie Transit provides safe, accessible and reliable public transit services within the city and regionally to CrossIron Mills and various destinations in the City of Calgary. Airdrie’s local transit service is designed to connect people to place efficiently along major corridors serving commercial and industrial developments, highdensity residential and major destinations. The City’s highly successful Intercity Express (ICE) service operates seven days-a-week, 364 days-a-year, providing seamless mobility for employment, as well as access to post-secondary institutions and major healthcare centres. 2021 Economic Profile | 17
Recreation Parks and Pathways
Airdrie has approximately 1,700 acres of maintained parkland and 130 kilometres of paved pathways, offering residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy living a healthy and active lifestyle. Airdrie also offers many cultural, outdoor recreation and natural features within parks’ spaces. 130 kilometres of linked walk/bike trails throughout the city make active transport a way of life. The Nose Creek open-space corridor, surrounded by naturalized areas, is a major amenity for the city of Airdrie.
Genesis Place
Airdrie’s family recreation centre! The facility features an aquatics area with competitive, leisure and tot pools, dive tank, hot tub, steam room, and water slide. Genesis Place is also home to a state-of-the-art fitness centre, a child care facility, gymnasium and indoor soccer fields, the Kids Connection Preschool, twin NHL sized ice surfaces, and an outdoor athletic field with a 400 metre running track. A variety of registered and drop-in classes are offered throughout the year ranging from swimming, dance and fitness to name a few – there is something for all ages.
Chinook Winds Regional Park
Chinook Winds Regional Park offers over 55 acres of park land and an abundance of activities for kids and adults alike. This park has five ball diamonds, three playgrounds, a multi-use court, a skate park and a spray park.
1,700 acres of parks 18 | City of Airdrie
Approximately 22,000 trees
130 km of pathways
36 full soccer fields
20 mini soccer fields
25 baseball/ slo-pitch fields
Community Airdrie is a family-oriented community, known for attracting residents from across Canada. Nearby mountain vistas, safe and friendly neighbourhoods, and quick access to Calgary’s world-class amenities, keep residents here. Home to a range of recreational amenities including a state-of-the-art recreation centre, Airdrie is the proud home of exceptional minor hockey, gymnastics and BMX programs. A variety of recreation choices keep Airdrie’s young families active. Airdrie is known for affordable cost of living and accommodation, and an intimate sense of community. To further bring together the community, integrated pathways link Airdrie neighbourhoods, parks and businesses.
Education Airdrie has an excellent education system catering to more than 14,000 students. For those not quite school-aged, the city is home to over 40 child daycare service locations. • 18 Public Schools • 3 Catholic Schools • 1 Christian School
73 playgrounds
12 outdoor/ creek rinks
• 1 École Francophone • 2 Private Schools • 2 Post-Secondary Institutions
7 Multi-use courts
6 tennis courts
Airdrie Residents love their community:
93% Feel that Airdrie offers a high quality of life
92% feel Airdrie is a safe community
2 football fields/ outdoor gyms
6 off-leash dog parks
2021 Economic Profile | 19
Arts and Culture Airdrie offers a variety of arts, culture and heritage activities and events throughout the year, including: the Airdrie Festival of Lights, the Airdrie Pro Rodeo and AirdrieFEST.
Nose Creek Amphitheatre
The amphitheatre is an iconic Airdrie landmark located in the heart of the city at Nose Creek Regional Park. It is used for a variety of events including weddings and musical performances.
Bert Church LIVE Theatre (BCLT)
BCLT is Airdrie’s artistic hub, offering a range of professional productions from family shows to live music and theatre. BCLT is a 377-seat facility with professional grade sound and lighting which provides audiences the opportunity to experience world renowned performances in an intimate setting. In addition to its regular season programming that runs from September to May, BCLT also hosts fine arts classes and camps for youth throughout the year.
Airdrie Public Library (APL)
APL is a dynamic, award-winning library that offers programs and services for citizens of all ages. From Babytime to Senior Coffee and Conversation to a Lego Club to virtual reality in the Makerspace, APL supports creativity and life-long learning with over 1,500 free programs and events each year. The City has committed to building a new library in the Downtown. 20 | City of Airdrie
2021 Economic Profile | 21
we love to offer business support and resources.
One-on-one support from Economic Development staff
Research and information services
Referrals and opportunities to help you start, grow and market your business
Showcase the Airdrie business community through marketing and communications
Entrepreneurial development and learning opportunities
Business and investment attraction
Tourism development
Tools we offer: A one-stop market research tool, Airdrie Business Zone airdrie.ecdev.org An online business directory, airdrie.ca/businessdirectory An online community events calendar, airdrie.ca/events 22 | City of Airdrie
Connect businesses with other City departments (Planning, Building Inspections, Fire, etc.)
Retain and grow Airdrie’s businesses through our 10-Year Economic Strategy
BUSINESS RESOURCES Local Resources City of Airdrie Call Centre
403.948.8800
Airdrie Public Library
airdriepubliclibrary.ca
Bow Valley College
bowvalleycollege.ca/airdrie
Career Leap Employment Services
careerleap.ca
Airdrie Chamber of Commerce
airdriechamber.ab.ca
Community Futures Centre West
centrewest.albertacf.com
Rocky View and Wheatland Employment Services
prospectnow.ca
SMARTstart Entrepreneurial Training Program
smartstartairdrie.ca
Additional Resources Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC)
afsc.ca
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry
alberta.ca/agriculture-and-forestry.aspx
Alberta Employment Standards
alberta.ca/employment-standards.aspx
Alberta Health Services Environmental Public Health
albertahealthservices.ca/eph
Alberta Jobs, Economy and Innovation
economic.alberta.ca
Alberta Learning Information Service
alis.alberta.ca
Alberta Occupational Health and Safety
alberta.ca/occupational-health-safety.aspx
Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
awebusiness.com
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
bdc.ca
Business Link
businesslink.ca
Export Development Canada
edc.ca
Futurpreneur Canada
futurpreneur.ca
Go Productivity
goproductivity.ca 2021 Economic Profile | 23
We would love to get to know you. airdrie.ca/business 403.948.8844 economic.development@airdrie.ca Subscribe to our e-newsletter at airdrie.ca/airdrieatwork
24 | City of Airdrie