Economic Development

Click here for the complete Consort Community Profile.

Consort is a traditional rural community long dependent on serving the needs of its local farming and ranching community. Naturally, oil and gas exploration plus the subsequent service industries have fueled local economic development growth for the past quarter century. Due to today's economic climate and the community's long standing dependence on primary industry, Easy Country Economic Development Society, the Village of Consort's mandated economic development arm, recognizes the need to diversify its economic base and potentially reinvent Consort as a vibrant tourism attraction, specifically, the photographer's paradise!

The East Country Economic Development Society (ECEDS) is currently engaged in facilitating a tourism cluster development initiative that will result in a minimum of three feasible options for development to support, facilitate and transition growth in the area.

The East Country Economic Development Board meets monthly and has a membership of representatives from the Village of Consort, Village of Veteran and Special Area # 4.

The Village of Consort is a member of the Battle River Alliance for Economic Development (BRAED), one of the twelve regional alliances under the auspices of Alberta Finance and Enterprise.

Board Members:
Randy Kulyk - Chairman
Sandra Kulyk - Secretary/Treasurer
Erik Holmberg - Vice Chairman
Dianne Berg
Val Dempsey
Darren Hutchings
Evelyn Kroeger
Jay Kurek
Leila Grobel - Economic Development Officer
Tel: 403-577-3633 or 780-679-3911 (cell)
Email: eceds@xplornet.com

MISSION STATEMENT

East Country Economic Development Society will provide top quality, cutting edge, customer oriented economic development services to the Village of Consort and area.

VISION

Consort and area will be recognized internationally for its positive economic climate that encourages new business, facilitates growth of existing businesses, promotes tourism and showcases the Village of Consort and Special Area # 4 in the global marketplace.

GOAL

East County Economic Development Society will provide economic development coordination and advisory support to the Village of Consort, encourage new business development and investment in Consort and area, facilitate the retention/expansion (retain/strengthen the current economy) of existing businesses in Consort, promote/increase local and regional tourism, and showcase the Village of Consort and Special Area # 4 in the global marketplace to attract, retain and expand foreign investment to grow Consort and area.

Economic Base
The primary economic base of Consort and area is farming, ranching and petroleum recovery. Cattle, wheat, oats, canola and barley are the main agricultural commodities raised locally.

Economic Facts
The local business community offers a wide variety of products and services for the local residents and traveling public.

Major Businesses Products/Services
The Consort and Area Business Directory includes a detailed index of all businesses located in Consort and area. Key businesses:

Accommodation
AmBrook Inn
Consort Hotel/Motel
Copper Oaks Condominiums
Cozy Haven Bed & Breakfast
Sunrise Motel

Appliance Sales & Service
Roger E. Johnson Enterprises Inc.

Auto Parts & Repairs
Days Tire Service (OK Tires)
Redline Auto Parts (Bumper to Bumper)

Farm & Ranch Supply
UFA Farm Supply

Financial Institutions and Real Estate Offices
ATB Financial
RBC Financial
RonStab Realty
Wainwright Credit Union

Fuel Stations
Gateway Junction Gas Bar (Esso)
UFA Bulk & Retail Fuel Distributors

Grocery/Food Stores
Consort AG Foods
Consort Family Foods
Meatco Sales

Insurance
Roger E. Johnson Insurance Agency

Motor Vehicle Registries
Village Agencies

Pharmacy
Consort IDA Drugstore

Restaurants
Happy Sky Restaurant (Consort Hotel)
Patti's Place
Rite Spot Dining Lounge
Veterinary Services Rangeland Vet Clinic

Transportation

Air Services
The local airstrip has a 3,000 foot paved and lighted runway. Many locally owned planes and hangars are at the field. Fuel and oil are not available. The nearest commercial and air freight services are at Edmonton.

Bus Services
Greyhound provides regularly scheduled inter-community passenger services to/from Consort four days/week: Monday - Wednesday - Thursday - Friday, and freight delivery to Veteran.

Couriers and Taxis
DHL (Loomis) and Purolator

Highways
Connecting highways include Highway 12, leading west to Coronation and east to the Saskatchewan border, and Highway 41, leading north to Czar and south to Oyen & Medicine Hat.

Trucking Firms
Consort and area is served by a number of trucking firms including Hi-Way 9 Express Lines Ltd. Companies service the agriculture and oil industries.

UTILITIES

Electric Service
ATCO Electric
4811 - 49 St.
Consort, Alberta
T0C 1B0
Tel: 403-577-3781

Natural Gas
ATCO Gas
5001 - 48 Ave.
Coronation, Alberta
T0C 1C0
Tel: 403-578-2720

Telephone
Telus
4831 - 51 St.
Red Deer, Alberta
T4N 2A6
Tel: 310-2255

Water Supply
Consort's water source is the Shirley McClellan Regional Water Line, which is sourced from the Red Deer River, treated at the Town of Stettler Water Treatment Plant, and distributed through the regional water line.

Waste Management
Sewage treatment is provided by a lagoon consisting of 2 short and 1 long-term detention ponds.

Industrial and commercial garbage is collected twice weekly, while residential garbage is collected weekly.