About the M.D. of Bonnyville
One significant task from the Municipal District of Bonnyville’s Business and Industry Growth Strategy was to create a community profile to help attract new people and businesses to our area.
What is a community profile? It is a snapshot of information, resources, and trends within the community that establishes the context for decision making specific to personal re-location or business retention, expansion, and attraction.
Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Cold Lake has operated since 1954. Original construction took place between 1952 and 1954. CFB Cold Lake is an important component of diversifying the economy.
CFB Cold Lake as a neighbour to the M.D. is approximately 35 kms south of the Cold Lake Weapons Range (CLAWR). The weapons range occupies 1.17 million hectares a significant portion of the M.D. landmass dedicated to training for the CF-18 Hornets. Many local businesses both directly and indirectly support CFB Cold Lake.
CFB Cold Lake is the busiest fighter base in Canada as a world class tactical fighter training facility that supports both the domestic and international roles of Canada’s Air Force.
Workforce
The M.D.’s workforce of those over the age of 15 is approximately 10,000 with a participation rate of 68 per cent.
Education Levels
Close to eight per cent of M.D. residents have a university certificate, diploma, or degree. Approximately 18 per cent of residents have a college or non-university certificate or diploma, and over 14 per cent have apprenticeship trade certificates or diplomas.
The M.D. of Bonnyville trade area exceeds 67,000 people and the region is predicted to grow over the next decade.
The average household income in the region is among the highest in the province, supported by natural resources.
Population
Source:
Median Total Household Income
$112,000 $105,000 $95,000 $96,000 $84,000
Housing Costs
M.D. of Bonnyville
City of Cold Lake
Lac La Biche County
Alberta
Canada
$406,700
$315,000
$430,000
$450,704
$678,282
M.D. OF BONNYVILLE
What you should know about the M.D. of Bonnyville:
The M.D. of Bonnyville is uniquely positioned to explore opportunities with Defence, Aerospace Technology, and Unmanned Systems industries to facilitate economic diversification. A driving motivation is the location of the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Cold Lake 4-Wing within the region — one of four military bases operating in Alberta, and alignment to several Government of Canada Defence priorities.
Construction of a new fighter squadron facility at CFB Cold Lake is expected to have two structures for training and operations, is estimated to have a cost of $352 million, and should be completed by 2025. It is estimated the project will employ 600 construction workers.
The military community on base had up to approximately 5,000 members. The regular and reserve force is 2,000 with 400 civilians.
CFB Cold Lake has key partnerships with NATO and NORAD.
The M.D. of Bonnyville has a well-established network of primary highways (372 km). One of Alberta’s major east-west highways traversing central Alberta, Hwy. 28, runs directly through the district as a high-load corridor between Edmonton and Cold Lake. Hwy. 41 is a high-load industrial route that runs north-south to the U.S. border. Hwy. 55 provides direct access to the South Athabasca Oil Sands, connecting to numerous communities and industrial sites in the region.
The area has two regional airports offering both passenger and cargo service. The M.D.-owned and operated airport, with a runway of 4,434 feet, is six kilometres north of the Town of Bonnyville on Hwy. 41 and offers direct flights to the Calgary International Airport. The Cold Lake Regional Airport is located four kilometres west of the City of Cold Lake with a runway length of 3,005 feet.
The M.D. of Bonnyville is approximately 300 km northeast of Edmonton International Airport (EIA). EIA is a major hub facility for Northern Alberta and Northern Canada for passenger and cargo activity. It is Canada’s largest major airport by total land area.
The region is serviced by Canadian National Railway (CNR) at Vermilion, south of the M.D. on Hwy. 41. It is a terminal point for CNR, on a secondary main line connecting Edmonton to the west and Saskatoon to the east. The distance to the Town of Bonnyville is 112 km, while Cold Lake to Vermilion is 165 km.
The M.D. of Bonnyville employs a concierge-level service with Planning and Development and Economic Development allowing for a streamlined and transparent development process. The M.D. is very competitive with its associated fees and averages approval times. Find out more at bit.ly/MDBvillePermits
The M.D. of Bonnyville is fortunate to be home to a number of existing industrial subdivisions. Please contact Economic Development Specialist, Scott Kovatch, for complete details at skovatch@md.bonnyville.ab.ca or 780-826-3171.
The M.D.‘s quality of life is supported by a post-secondary institution, the healthcare sector, and an abundance of outdoor recreation choices including 12 M.D.-owned campgrounds, hiking and snowmobile trails, sports facilities, a ski hill, and aerial adventure park at Kinosoo Ridge Resort.