RED DEER – Calgary and Edmonton may lead the nation in growth this year, but Alberta’s strong economic showing will not be limited to those cities.
Alberta’s economy is diversifying quickly and thanks to the surge in telecommunications capacity, people are as likely to live and work in a small town as a big city.
“The implications for smaller communities throughout the West is going to be profoundly affected by the communications revolution,” said University of Alberta economist Ted Chambers.
As high speed internet is introduced to rural Alberta, smaller communities are more competitive and attractive to highly skilled workers, he told a recent meeting of Alberta agricultural economists in Red Deer.
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Chambers participated in a study of population growth in smaller communities between 1986 and 1996.
It analyzed population growth in 105 rural communities with 1,000 to 15,000 people. The study compared communities adjacent to Edmonton and Calgary as well as those farther from a major centre.
They found 47 towns out of 105 not adjacent to Calgary or Edmonton gained population. These include communities such as Olds and Lacombe, which have attracted well-educated, skilled people who contribute to prosperity in the town.
Communities such as Cochrane and Leduc that are close to major urban centres have also grown.
There are lifestyle advantages to rural living and the Alberta government has poured money into infrastructure with improved roads and recreation. Also, as smaller communities grow, government transfer payments increase.
