Alberta Economic Fundamentals

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Highway 28 twinning improves safety, connects the city

The Government of Alberta will provide $26.4 million to the City of Cold Lake to begin the design work and construction of six kilometres of Highway 28 twinning through the City of Cold Lake.
"Highway 28 through Cold Lake is an exceedingly busy section of urban highway with about 18,000 vehicles per day," said Genia Leskiw, MLA for Bonnyville-Cold Lake. "Twinning this section of highway will help improve safety for motorists and provide a critical connection between the major sections of the city."

http://www.coldlakesun.com/News/392687.html

 

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Crowsnest Lake construction this year

Construction will begin at Crowsnest Lake this year, says Bridgecreek Development, which was in town last week giving updates on their two developments in the Crowsnest Pass.
The name of the development will be changing, according to Vice President of Development Bill Bradley, to "Trout Landing at Crowsnest Lake." The initial size of the development will be scaled back as well. Instead of an initial large build, the development will be constructed in small phases.

http://www.crowsnestpasspromoter.com/News/393692.html

 

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County mill rate set to drop

Brazeau County Council passed the 2008 operating and capital budget at their meeting on Tuesday, April 8.
Council voted to decrease both the residential and farm land mill rate by 3.018, which equates to a 38 per cent reduction. The overall increase in assessment values to property throughout Brazeau County is 23 per cent. By reducing the mill rate, Brazeau County Council hopes to deflect a financial burden that the increase to property taxes could create for taxpayers.

http://www.draytonvalleywesternreview.com/...ies/392446.html

 

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Bridge work starts this week

Work on the deck of the Dunvegan bridge will begin April 19, with the contractor closing off one lane of traffic to do the work which will unavoidably cause some delays for traffic.
Ministry of Transportation bridge manager Donald Saunders said the first season of work will replace the deck at the south and north ends, then in 2009 the main part of the deck will be replaced.

http://www.fairviewpost.com/News/392787.html

 

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Council to consider land-use bylaw changes

City council will consider significant changes to the land-use bylaw Tuesday that include secondary suites becoming permitted in most Fort Saskatchewan houses, the addition of a residential zone that permits 12-storey towers and relaxed parking requirements for condominium developments.

Many recent high-density developments have come to council for direct control re-zoning due to the current land-use bylaw being too restrictive for housing developers` plans which, for condominiums, typically include fewer parking stalls but an increased density.

http://www.fortsaskatchewanrecord.com/News/393712.html

 

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Carbon capture project planned for heartland

The industrial heartland region north of Fort Saskatchewan will be home to a new carbon dioxide capture and storage project aimed at finding a long-term solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Heartland Area Redwater Project, announced Monday, is a project led by the Alberta Research Council and ARC Energy Trust, will evaluate the ability of the Redwater Leduc Reef to store as much as 1,000 megatonnes, enough storage to accommodate more than 20 years worth of carbon dioxide emissions from facilities existing and planned for the industrial heartland area.

http://www.fortsaskatchewanrecord.com/News/393714.html

 

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Lack of container depots hurts economy: Paz

Canada is falling behind in global competition due to a lack of container depots throughout North America, but increasing it would undermine the bottom-line of rail services in the country, according to Walter Paszkowski, economic development officer for the County of Grande Prairie.

That was some of the information gathered at a meeting in Vancouver between CN Rail and two of the port`s major ocean container carriers with Paszkowski, Everett McDonald, reeve of the County of Grande Prairie, and representatives of the Northern Alberta Development Council and the Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce on Monday.

http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/Local%20...ews/394065.html

 

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Town grants northwest annexation

"The landowners are in
complete unison -- there`s not a dissenting voice among them," he said. "The M.D. is on board on this annexation, so there`s not going to be any long fought-out battles.
The annexation groups themselves have provided so many benefits to the Town of High River in their plan, that I reconsider."

http://www.highrivertimes.com/News/394222.html

 

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Houses need lead tests

Aspen Regional Health is recommending that owners of houses built before 1960 have their water tested for high levels of lead.
Recent water testing in Edmonton showed that homes built in Alberta before 1960 may have high levels of lead in tap water because the water service lines are made of lead.
Lead from water and plumbing lines can leach into tap water, though higher amounts of lead are usually found in water samples taken from taps that have not been turned on for more than six hours.

http://www.hintonparklander.com/News/392378.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Pipeliners pumped millions into Jasper and region`s economy

It may be nearly impossible to determine the exact amount of money about 600 pipeliners pumped into the Jasper and surrounding area economy, but many local businesses say they definitely saw an increase in sales during the duration of the TMX Anchor Loop pipeline project.
Rough calculations concerning the total financial impact they have had on the community is based on the consideration of what an average tourist spends in the area: a minimum of $300 a day for accommodation, food and entertainment and other various staples. Multiple that by 600 and that equals $180,000 every day. Figure that over a period of about eight months and that comes to about $43.2 million the pipeliners spent in Jasper, Hinton and other nearby communities.

http://www.jasperbooster.com/Headline%20News/393371.html

 

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Black Gold Broadcasting hopes to bring radio station to Leduc

Gathering and distributing information dates back to the dawn of man.
People in their respective corners of the world have always had a voice, and they wanted it to be heard.
As of January 2009 Leduc`s voice might get a little louder.
That`s if the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission approves a new FM radio station in Leduc titled 102.3 The One-FM.

http://www.leducrep.com/News/393611.html

 

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City receives $4 million for rec facility

The City of Leduc has four million reasons to get excited about the enhanced Black Gold Centre.
Hon. Lindsay Blackett, Minister of Culture and Community Spirit and Leduc-Beaumont-Devon MLA George Rogers paid a visit to council Monday evening, with a cheque for $4 million in tow, for the enhanced recreational facility at the Black Gold Centre.
"I am pleased to help make this presentation," said Blackett.

http://www.leducrep.com/News/393585.html

 

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Lakeland College looks ahead

Lakeland College looked at their past and took a step towards the future as they laid out a strategic plan this past Tuesday.
As part of the plan, Lakeland College officials met with city and area residents to discuss the five-year plan to become an integral part of the community and a growing Saskatchewan economy.

http://www.meridianbooster.com/News/393737.html

 

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High-stakes crop ahead for Nanton area farmers

The stakes are higher than ever as farmers in the Nanton area prepare to seed their fields this spring.
"We`re at record prices on almost all crops. Alberta farmers have never seen levels this high before," says Provincial Crop Market Analyst Charlie Pearson.
The price of canola has jumped 40–50 per cent over last year, while crops like red spring wheat and durum have more than doubled in value.
"It`s all thanks to a battle for acres worldwide that`s keeping prices high here at home," he said.

http://www.nantonnews.com/News/393390.html

 

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Compton to drill south of Cowley

The Calgary-based public company, Compton Petroleum Corporation has confirmed they will be drilling five wells just south of Cowley.
On April 8, Compton held an open house at Cowley Hall to discuss its oil and gas plans with its new neighbours.
Not long ago, Compton acquired WIN Energy Corporation and mineral leases from Petro-Canada near Cowley. The company plans on combining 3D seismic data along with innovative horizontal drilling techniques to drill the new wells in previously cultivated lands.

http://www.pinchercreekecho.com/News/393423.html

 

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Grade crucial for lots

The spring melt is in full swing and with that comes water -- lots of it.

"It`s the time of year when things start to thaw and we want to ensure water is draining off lots properly," said Strathcona utilities special projects specialist Jennifer Tames. "We`ve got a proactive program in place to help ensure property owners can take steps necessary to protect their homes from water damage."

The program itself if a combination of awareness-oriented bulletins both on the county website and in advertisements.

http://www.sherwoodparknews.com/News/393893.html

 

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Where`s the water coming from?

Vulcan County is once again wondering where a confined feeding operation (CFO) is going to find water.
The County`s Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) discussed an application April 2 from the Hutterian Brethren Church of Little Bow to expand at a new site, which is northeast of Carmangay.
The Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) has reviewed the Hutterite colony`s application and asked the MPC to provide its comments on the proposal.

http://www.vulcanadvocate.com/News/393398.html

 

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Whitecourt taking flight

A local group of flying enthusiasts wants to put Whitecourt on the map as a destination to be found from the air.
"There is a local group of us who are plane owners and pilots who want to put together a flying club," said Ben Ruszkowski. Ruszkowski, along with Les Droesse, have been canvassing the community to see what kind of interest there would be if Whitecourt became home to its own flying club.
"The interest is definitely there," said Ruszkowski.

http://www.whitecourtstar.com/News/393301.html

 

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Canadian coal prices will impact consumers

Canadian coal producers will enjoy the benefit of soaring prices for the coming year. But while the increases will give producers` projects a boost, it won`t lead to the takeover frenzy that has consolidated the iron, steel and base metal sectors.

Consumers are likely to feel the impact in everything from utilities, to cars and construction.

http://www.thespec.com/News/Business/article/357427

 

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Red Deer rural police moving to Blackfalds?

The mayor of Blackfalds welcomes the possibility of the Red Deer Rural RCMP detachment moving into town.

"It would mean a lot to the town," said Mayor Melodie Stol. "We know it`s a problem for everyone that officers have to respond from downtown Red Deer."

In a meeting last week on the issue, town representatives met with RCMP and government officials to discuss a possible relocation of Red Deer Rural RCMP from its office on 55th Street in Red Deer to Blackfalds.

http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradv...Blackfalds.html