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Blackfalds

Blackfalds, Sylvan Lake, and Red Deer County team up with City of Red Deer to attract employers

Published

5 years ago

5 minute read

A joint communication from the Town of Blackfalds, the Town of Sylvan Lake, the County of Red Deer, and the City of Red Deer

Regional Approach to Economic Development Revealed

A new Regional Labour Force Profile has been developed for central Alberta as a collaborative effort by the Town of Blackfalds, the City of Red Deer, Red Deer County, the Town of Sylvan Lake and the Province of Alberta – Ministry of Labour and Immigration.

Labour Force Profile

The profile will provide superior labour force information to businesses that are considering growth, expansion, or new development or markets, as well as to prospective entrepreneurs and companies thinking of locating in or starting up in the region.

“We can better support and encourage appropriate workforce development intiaitives when we work together. In this case each of the four communities contributed $4,000 to the project to match the funds secured through the provincial Labour Market Partnership Program (LMP).”Jennifer Hartigh, Project Lead

“Having accurate and up-to-date labour information is often a key factor when new employers are choosing locations, or when existing employers want to expand. We’re pleased to be able to partner with municipalities to help provide this critical intelligence for central Alberta as part of our commitment to create jobs and expand our economy.”
Jason Copping, Minister of Labour and Immigration

The area that the four communities represent accounts for 226,396 Albertans, 68% of whom are of working age. This Regional Labour Profile is an important resource to help the region continue to grow, and sustain both the businesses, and families, that call this region ‘home’.

Please refer to the attached Regional Profile for detailed information.

BACKGROUNDER

  • In 2018, Economic Development Officers from the communities of Blackfalds, Red Deer, SylvanLake and Red Deer County approached the provincial Ministry of Labour to partner on a project resulting in the creation of a Regional Labour Force Profile. The communities were lacking in- depth and current data to share with businesses interested in expanding or diversifying or for investors, educational institutes, and entrepreneurs to use in creating and forecasting business plan development.
  • In late 2018, the Ministry of Labour awarded an LMP grant to the Town of Blackfalds, as the project leader and administrator.
  • Each partnering municipality contributed $4,000 toward the project, and by doing so was able to leverage $31,250 in LMP funding from the Province of Alberta and the Government of Canada.
  • Data for the Regional Labour Profile was acquired from several sources, including: 2001 to 2016 federal Census from Statistics Canada, the Canadian Business Registry – 2013 and 2018, SuperDemographics 2018 from Manifold Data Mining Inc., EMSI Analyst 2018 Q3, and local municipal census data as available. Consultation with relevant stakeholders also informed the information included in the Regional Labour Profile.
  • Conversations with representatives from Olds College, Red Deer College, Burman University, Express Employment, and Manpower were used to confirm the skills and labour data acquired, and also to uncover opportunities to develop new programming to meet the needs of the regional business community.

Region At A Glance

  • The region accounts for 226,396 Albertans, of whom 68% are of working age (15 to 64).
  • Residents have an average employment income slightly lower than the provincial figure (-4%); however, more than half of the population between the ages of 25 to 64 has completed some form of post secondary education.
  • The regional economy, which grew by 5% between 2013 and 2018, sustains over 119,000 jobs. The region boasts a higher participation and employment rate compared to the rest of the province.
  • When looking at the number of jobs versus the number of workers in the region, a large surplus of workers was found within the following occupational groups:
  • o trades,
    o transport and equipment operators
    o management,
    o education,
    o law, social, community and government services.
  • Residents with the skills and talent to work in these occupations may work outside the region. Conversely, the region has a gap of approximately 270 workers to support natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations. This gap is likely filled by workers coming in from outside of the region.Attached you will find the Regional Labour Profile. For local profiles, contact the municipalities directly.
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After 15 years as a TV reporter with Global and CBC and as news director of RDTV in Red Deer, Duane set out on his own 2008 as a visual storyteller. During this period, he became fascinated with a burgeoning online world and how it could better serve local communities. This fascination led to Todayville, launched in 2016.

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Blackfalds

New Catholic Elementary School for Blackfalds

Published on March 7, 2024

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News release from Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools

RDCRS receives full construction funding for new Kindergarten to Grade 5 school in Blackfalds

On Monday, March 4, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) received full construction funding from the Government of Alberta to construct a new Kindergarten to Grade 5 school in Blackfalds.

“The full construction funding for the new Kindergarten to Grade 5 school in the vibrant growing community of Blackfalds marks a significant milestone in our government’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art education infrastructure for our communities. This investment illustrates our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our students and ensuring they have access to modern, innovative learning environments,” stated MLA for Red Deer North and Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange.

RDCRS appreciates the construction funding provided by the Government of Alberta. Over the past several years, Blackfalds has seen tremendous growth. RDCRS’ current Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 9 school located in Blackfalds, St. Gregory the Great Catholic School, has grown by 64% since its establishment in 2017.

“We are very pleased to receive full construction funding for a new Catholic elementary school in Blackfalds. The funding will allow the division an opportunity to build a much needed new school and meet the learning needs of our Blackfalds students,” said Board Chair Murray Hollman at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.

The schematic design for the new school has progressed smoothly since RDCRS received design funding from the Government of Alberta in March 2023. The plans look excellent and work is ongoing between Alberta Infrastructure and the Town of Blackfalds to ensure the steps to secure the land in the new development are completed. The land needs to be ready for construction according to the timelines and criteria established in the P3 project.

“We are pleased that the progress achieved thus far has demonstrated the collaborative efforts necessary to warrant this full funding announcement, “ added Board Chair Hollman.

The new school is expected to be ready for occupancy in September 2027.

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools serves over 10,650 students in 21 schools in Red Deer, Blackfalds, Sylvan Lake, Rocky Mountain House, Innisfail, and Olds. It also supports the learning of over 850 students in a Home Education Program. The Division is committed to serving children and parents with a complete offering of learning opportunities delivered within the context of Catholic teachings and within the means of the Division.

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Blackfalds

Blackfalds Bulldogs Jr A Hockey Club announces finalized agreement to join the BC Hockey League effective immediately

Published on February 1, 2024

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News release from the Blackfalds Bulldogs

The Blackfalds Bulldogs have announced a finalized franchise agreement with the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and are official members of the league, effective immediately. 

Prior to this agreement, the Blackfalds Bulldogs had agreed to terms on a framework of what joining the BCHL would look like. 

Along with the Blackfalds Bulldogs, the Brooks Bandits, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders and Spruce Grove Saints will also join the BCHL starting this season. 

“The Blackfalds Bulldogs are thrilled to express our excitement to be joining the BCHL. The BCHL’s dedication and efforts in expediting this process in light of the AJHL decisions have not gone unnoticed and we are sincerely grateful for the commitment they have shown to ensure all our players have the opportunity to complete this season with competitive hockey. This swift transition in light of the AJHL’s decisions is a testament to the BCHL’s professionalism and passion for the sport. We eagerly anticipate the journey ahead and look forward to contributing our Bulldog Best to the vibrant hockey community that the BCHL represents,” said Doug Quinn, Owner of the Blackfalds Bulldogs Jr A Hockey Club.  

“We are pleased to officially welcome these five franchises into the fold as members of our league,” said Graham Fraser, Chairman of the BCHL Board of Governors. “All five are strong organizations from great communities and we look forward to the immediate boost they will give our league.” 

Due to the Alberta Junior Hockey League cancelling league games for the 2023-24 regular season, the five teams will engage in competition with each other as BCHL teams for the remainder of the season and will eventually crown an Alberta champion. Following the conclusion of the BCHL Playoffs, there will be an opportunity for the champion from Alberta to meet the champion from B.C. in a year-end competition. 

“With the unfortunate situation the Alberta teams have faced in recent weeks with having games cancelled in their previous league, it was imperative to us to get these players back on the ice in meaningful competition,” said BCHL Commissioner Steven Cocker. “This five-team schedule and postseason will give these athletes the chance to get in a full set of games for the remainder of the year, which is the most important thing to us.” 

The schedule for the Alberta teams starts tomorrow and can be viewed here.

Details for the post-season competition will be announced at a later date. 

For a list of Frequently Asked Questions about this decision, visit our FAQ page here.

About the BCHL: 

Sending more players on to Division I college hockey every season than any other hockey league in Canada, the BCHL has established itself as a national leader in the development of young student athletes. Considering approximately a third of today’s NHL is made up of NCAA alumni, the BCHL has become a breeding ground for some the sport’s most elite and successful players. In 2022-23 alone, there were a league-record 190 players in the league with NCAA Division I scholarships. The BCHL is also a leader in player safety, with a full-time Department of Player Safety, the toughest rules on fighting in North American junior hockey, as well as a league-wide independent Safe Sport Officer and an individual Athlete Advocate assigned to all 17 teams.  

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