Cochrane is a hub of activity and thriving businesses, if this year’s Chamber of Commerce and District Trade Show was any indication.
Thousands passed through the gates over the weekend as more than 200 businesses showcased their wares and services, belying the province’s present economic turmoil.
While the numbers are impressive, what stands out the most perhaps is the number of products that are unique to our town.
We have the box stores and the chains that are common to communities across the country, but our entrepreneurial spirit shines through in some of our homegrown products.
MacKay’s Ice Cream is probably one of the community’s best known and longest standing businesses. Nearing its 70th anniversary, the shop’s authentic homemade delights are known far and wide. The store on Historical Main Street is often lined up down the street during the summer.
Artists, jewelry makers, a microbrewery expected to open soon and specialized boutiques and markets round out some of the more traditional business types that many would expect in small-town Alberta. Even our media sectors continue to thrive, with newspapers a magazine and a radio station and online information sources exclusive to Cochrane.
Perhaps lesser known is the growing wealth of technology and knowledge-based businesses that are popping up in town. Attracted by the amazing scenery, the slower pace and the town’s attractive lack of a business tax, has led to approximately 20 such businesses setting up shop. Names such as Dynastream Innovations Inc. – specializing in high-tech athletic gadgets – and 4iii Innovations – which builds tech for cyclists – are just two that populate the growing sector.
The success is not completely unexpected. It has often been cited that our province’s best resource is not the oil that has driven the economy for so long but our people. Known for being well educated and younger on average than the rest of the country, our entrepreneurial spirit is the envy of the nation.
According to Statistics Canada, in 2014, 72 per cent of Albertans held some sort of post secondary education, compared to the national average of 66 per cent. Those aged 15 to 64 years old comprised 70.6 per cent of our population and only 11.1 per cent were older than 65 compared to the national average of 15 per cent.
Cochrane is capitalizing on that resource and using its ideal location and business atmosphere to attract companies needed to drive economies forward in the future, especially as more and more nations push toward greener industries and smaller carbon footprints.
Agree or not with the concept, few can argue that economies that boast multiple sectors and a variety of business types have a tendency to thrive and avoid the boom and bust waves Alberta is known for.
The upside for Cochrane is evident. Our diversified of economy has been a boon that has allowed the community to better weather the storm of these tough economic times.
