Ponoka, Alberta, CANADA

General Statistics:

Town of Ponoka Population (2001 Federal Census): 6,330 (Waiting for 2006 Federal Census results)

Ponoka County Population: 8,810

Growth rate: The Town of Ponoka growth rate over the last three census years has been in the order of 1.5%.

Neighboring Populations:

• Lacombe County: 10,651
• Town of Lacombe: 10,850
• Cree Nation / Hobbema: 10,177
• City of Wetaskiwin: 11,154
• Estimated Trading Area: 50,000

Average Traffic Volumes in Ponoka per day:

• Highway 2A: 10,000 Highway 53: 9,000
• 12.3% of population have completed post-secondary education. (2001 Stat)
• 425 Local Businesses
• No Business Tax;
• No Provincial Sales Tax
• Town of Ponoka 2006 Tax Rates: Residential - 11.22
• Non-Residential – 13.47

2004 Building Permits Total: $ 11,193,195

2005 Building Permits Total: $ 10,006,177

2006 Building Permits Total: $ 16,551,104

2004 Housing Starts: 36

2005 Housing Starts: 48

2006 Housing Starts: 108

Average House Cost in 2005: $ 132,000

Average House Cost in 2006: $ 148,000

Commercial Lease Rates: $6 - $13 per square foot

Industry Features:

Service hub for oil & gas industry. – Innovative manufacturing sector. – Thriving Agriculture service centre – Construction – Business & community services – Mental Health & Brain Injury centre.

Ideal Major Transportation Access & Corridors: – 2 Km to Queen Elizabeth Highway II – ½ Hour north of Red Deer – 1 Hour south of Edmonton or 2 Hours north of Calgary – 45 Minutes to Edmonton International Airport – Local industrial Airport with CANPASS