Flagstaff County is located in the Battle River Alliance for Economic Development (BRAED region, a partnership of communities in East Central Alberta working cooperatively and voluntarily to address community economic development issues from a regional perspective. Flagstaff County has become known as the “Community of communities.” Ten urban communities located within Flagstaff County create an area that boasts an affordable cost of living, exciting recreational opportunities, friendly people and a quiet rural lifestyle.
The Flagstaff County Economy
Flagstaff County is a provincial hub for oil and gas, and agricultural powerhouse, with plenty of land-based recreation. Room to grow – spirit, family, and enterprise opportunity – affordably, firmed by our roots in the personable value of hand-waves and hand-shakes. Nine communities across 4000 sq. km of prairie vista.
Why invest in the Flagstaff Region?:
- Competitive wages for skilled labour
- Superb quality of life in rural and small town settings
- Ample campgrounds, open spaces, RV parks, and numerous heritage museums that celebrate our agricultural, mining, and oil industry history.
- Low housing costs compared to larger urban centres.
- 70 acres of assorted competitively priced industrial and commercial lands available for development.
- Highways 13 and 36 connect the Flagstaff Region to national and international markets
- Plentiful access to health care.
- 2 hours from Edmonton with access to quality rural amenities
Labour Snapshot
| Totals | % | |
|---|---|---|
| In the labour force | 2,075 | 72.60% |
| Participation rate | 72.60% | |
| Unemployment rate | 5.10% | |
| Management occupations | 645 | 31.16% |
| Business, finance and administration occupations | 260 | 12.56% |
| Natural and applied sciences and related occupations | 40 | 1.93% |
| Health occupations | 95 | 4.59% |
| Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services | 115 | 5.56% |
| Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport | 10 | 0.48% |
| Sales and service occupations | 255 | 12.32% |
| Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations | 385 | 18.60% |
| Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations | 205 | 9.90% |
| Occupations in manufacturing and utilities | 60 | 2.90% |
Oil and Gas
Flagstaff County’s economy thrives on its agricultural base, with 70% of its nearly 1 million acres being occupied by high quality soils. Nearly 75% of the County is under cultivation and the region produces a wide range of crops including wheat, canola, barley, oats, peas and flax, to name a few. Livestock is an important secondary activity to this industry and the supply chain is well established. The Flagstaff Region offers opportunities in greenhouses, meat snacks, pulse foods, ready meats, agricultural services, craft value-added production, agritourism, and farm succession.
Agriculture
Agriculture in the region is a major economic sector with diversity ranging from grain and specialty crops to domestic and specialty livestock. Producers mainly grow grains such as wheat, oats, barley and canola. Livestock is also a vital part of the industry, with increased activity in the rearing of hogs in ultra-modern facilities, and improved pastures to support larger herds of dairy and beef cattle.
Tourism and Hospitality
The region is home to six heritage-based museums rooted in the agricultural and mining sector, four golf courses, numerous campgrounds and RV parks, including Fish Lake and Diplomat Trout Pond for family fishing, unique and historic passenger train excursions, and several other outdoor amenities. Increased investment and ongoing growth associated with the oil and gas industry, especially the Hardisty Energy Hub, have been a driver for hospitality and accommodation services. The area also provides a superb quality of live in rural and small town settings, with competitive wages for skilled labour, plentiful access to health care services, and lower housing costs compared to larger urban centres.
Transportation
The center of Flagstaff County is at the junction of Hwy 13 linking Saskatoon and Edmonton, and Hwy 36 linking Fort McMurray with the U.S. border crossing at Coutts. Secondary highways link the County with Calgary. Flagstaff County is located on the Hwy 36 High Load Corridor. The region offers excellent rail infrastructure access, including CN Rail along Highway 13 and the dedicated Battle River Railway short-line connecting Camrose and Alliance. The region is part of the larger Camrose-Drumheller Economic Region, which consistently enjoys low unemployment rates.
Business Taxes
The non-residential municipal tax rate in Flagstaff County is: 16.3872
Alberta general corporate tax rate: 12%
Alberta small business tax rate: 2%
Annual Business Limit (ABL)/Small Business Threshold: $500,000
Canadian general corporate tax rate: 15%
Canada small business tax rate: 10%
Canadian Small Business Threshold: $500,000
Business Directory
Flagstaff Regional Investment Website
Stop at Nothing – Flagstaff Region Investment Guided
Making Flagstaff County Home
| Totals | % | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,738 | |
| Median age of the population | 45.1 | |
| Total number of census families in private households | 1,095 | 0 |
| Total number of private households by tenure | 1,380 | |
| Owner | 1,280 | 92.75% |
| Renter | 100 | 7.25% |
| Average value of dwellings ($) | $330,267 | |
| Average income $ | $51,648 | |
| Average household total income $ | $97,653 | |
| Residential municipal tax rate | 4.6933% |
Housing
There is a variety of housing options on and around the Flagstaff County. When Searching for a house in Flagstaff County you will notice that our friendly, active community also features very affordable housing options compared to urban centres.
Education
Education is a vital part of our community. Flagstaff County schools are part of the Battle River School Division.
According to the 2016 Statistics Canada Census on Education, almost 50% of Flagstaff County residents have a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. Nearby post-secondary and training options include:
- University Alberta’s Augustana Campus
- Lakeland College
- Portage College
- Flagstaff Community Adult Learning
- Alberta Learning Information Service
Recreation
Recreation, Leisure & Culture facilities are featured across Flagstaff County. Facilities range from multiplexes to arenas to pools to theatres and golf courses. The County has a wide range of local sports clubs and community organizations throughout its communities. Opportunities include minor hockey and baseball to Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Girl Guides/Scouts and the Royal Canadian Legion, just to name a few.
Flagstaff Council’s goal is to offer recreation funding as an essential means for enhancing individual well-being, community vitality and economic sustainability. Flagstaff County has granted over $2 million towards recreational programs, events, and facilities since the release of the Flagstaff Regional Recreation Grant Program in early 2012.
Contact Flagstaff County
Flagstaff County
12435 Township Road 442, P.O. Box 358
Sedgewick, AB, T0B 4C0
Phone: (780) 384-4100
Fax: (780) 384-3635
www.flagstaff.ab.ca