Business development

Strathcona County fosters a supportive environment for entrepreneurs. Below are some of the advantages of starting, locating or expanding your business here.

Industry

• Home to Canada's largest petrochemical processing area with over 15 world-class facilities    
• Founding member of Alberta's Industrial Heartland Association (AIHA)
• 7,490+ hectares of industrial land
• More industrial development

Business

• Home to over 3,506 businesses with employees (10,787 total) and the proactive Sherwood Park and District Chamber of Commerce
• Strong growth in the manufacturing, construction, technical services, hyrocarbon processing, transportation and agriculture sectors
• Over 4.5 million square feet of retail, office and commercial space
• Designation of the Beaver Hills Moraine as a UNESCO Biosphere, improves and diversifies local tourism opportunities

Connections

• Less than 30 minutes from the Edmonton International Airport and less than 20 minutes from downtown Edmonton
• Serviced by Trans-Canada Yellowhead Highway (Highway 16) and Anthony Henday Drive (Highway 216), Queen Elizabeth II Highway, Highways 14, 21 and 16. Secondary highway access: Highways 630, 824, 829 and 830
• Extensive public transit (commuter, local, mobility bus)
• Rail service by both CN and CP Rail

Workforce

• 94% of eligible workers have a diploma, certificate or degree
• Over 15,800 local highly-skilled graduates available

Market

• Regional market of over 1.5 million consumers
• $6.7 billion household spending power
• 6 per cent population growth over the past five years

Tax savings

• No business tax
• No business registration fees
• No provincial sales tax
• Alberta has one of the most competitive tax systems in North America