A Business Development Initiative
of the Alberta Foothills Region

Advantage Foothills

The Alberta Foothills Region, Calgary, and Alberta, offer key competitive advantages for enterprise. The Alberta Foothills Region: No Business Tax Surcharge Competitive tax and utility rates and high amenity and services levels provided for tax dollars Location, Location, Location - to major urban centres, transportation corridors, and the U.S. Lifestyle Edge - high growth environment, high per capita amenity and full urban services with the benefits of smaller community atmosphere. Quality of Investment - Okotoks and High River tied for 6th best place to invest in real estate in Alberta in 2006 (Source: Real Estate Investment Network (Alberta))

Quick Fact "Alberta is in the midst of the strongest period of economic growth ever recorded by any Canadian province." (Statistics Canada, 2006)

Calgary:
Calgary is ranked first in Canada and third in North America (2007) as “most attractive to people,” based on rankings in seven indicators: economy, innovation, environment, education, health, society and housing (Source: Conference Board of Canada, 2007)

Alberta (Source: Government of Alberta web site):

Attractive Economy - in 2006, Alberta had the fastest growing provincial economy in Canada, creating 86,300 jobs. Alberta leads all other provinces in growth in population, retail sales, housing starts and per
capita investment.

Cost Advantages - Alberta cities rank among the most cost competitive in the world when it comes to the cost of establishing and operating a business, according to studies released by KPMG Consulting (The Competitive Alternatives International Report). This study measures and ranks the combined impact of 27 location-sensitive cost factors for 17 types of business operations across 128 cities in nine countries.

Edmonton and Calgary rank second and fourth, respectively, among 21 large Midwest U.S. and Western Canadian locations. Alberta has the lowest overall tax system in Canada and it is the only province without a provincial retail sales tax.

Infrastructure - modern infrastructure in Alberta includes advanced technology, extensive transportation networks, quality education and training facilities, superior research and development and competitively priced commercial and industrial real estate.

Quality of Life - affordable cost of living, and world-class educational and health care facilities contribute to Alberta's superior quality of life. A strong economy combined with Alberta's diverse landscape, stunning scenery, low crime, and clean air and water, all contribute to making Alberta one of the best places in Canada and the world in which to live, work or visit.