As Cochrane continues to grow as a town, so do the number of small businesses that are popping up.
But there is room for more, according to Cochrane Economic Development, which will soon be releasing some new marketing materials to try and attract some new companies.
Mike Korman is the manager of economic development for the Town of Cochrane and said over the last four weeks he has had two to three businesses coming in every week looking to talk about the town and what opportunities exist here.
“We give them information and we help them find what is best for their business based on the land, zoning and those types of things,” said Korman. “We are really here to help them find what’s best for their business.”
Part of the attraction to Cochrane, according to Korman, is that the town has no business tax, only business licences. Licences vary in price, but Korman said for a small business, commercial or retail, for a Cochrane resident, a license is $150.
“It is just something so we register the business and we use that money to promote Cochrane, help people find places to move into and give them general ideas of what the town is all about,” Korman said.
Another reason he said Cochrane attracts small businesses is the proximity of houses to the downtown core of Cochrane, pointing out it is quite a bit smaller than a city like Calgary, creating less of a commute.
“You certainly don’t have the need to pay for parking and those sorts of things, which I think really makes it attractive for somebody to start a small business here, and then live here as well, when you don’t have those added costs,” Korman said.
Cochrane Economic Development provides service to nearly 1,400 licensed businesses according to its website.
Korman said that they also make sure new businesses that want to be located in Cochrane fit with the big picture of what is best for the town.
If they feel the businesses might not be suitable for Cochrane, they help the owners of those businesses either find other places or direct them to other resources.
And just what is that big picture for Cochrane, according to Economic Development?
Korman mentioned a few items that they are focusing on, but one of the main ones is ensuring that they are attracting a knowledge-based economy, such as tech companies like 4iiii and Dynastream, both of which have head offices in Cochrane.
One challenge that Korman said they are facing as a regional issue is a labour shortage, so they are looking at bringing together parties that can help with the labour crisis. Korman said that because the region is now experiencing a booming economy, people have a lot of jobs to choose from, creating the shortage.
Korman also added that he had heard from some people that lease rates are high in Cochrane, but said that they are working to help businesses find appropriate spaces.
“We continue to work with the small businesses, as well as the owners of the building to ensure that we get the right fit for everybody,” said Korman, “and I think we can really make things work and fill this town with great businesses.”
