Business View Civil and Municipal | September 2022

87 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 ensure we’re following the rules and all the legislative responsibilities we have. But we want development to be easy, carefree and welcoming.” Increased broadband in the county is another area of focus, to support current residents and businesses and attract future development. “We are working with local vendors,” says Aaserud. “Also, there are other municipalities in the province that are looking at partnering with cooperatives. We’ve done preliminary investigation and broadband is identified in council’s strategic plan. It is of the utmost importance. Even though we haven’t solved it, it’s not far from our minds at any time because we constantly use technology.” EDF Canada, a clean and renewable energy development company is working on their first wind energy conversion system project in Cypress County. Aaserud reports, “On the wings of that, we have seven other wind energy convergence system projects that are pushing ahead. I don’t know about timelines, because it’s regulated by the Alberta Utilities Commission. Their timelines are very aggressive, but they have a lot of public consultation to do. We have one in construction right now. I would say in 2023 we will have another three under construction.” In other infrastructure projects, the recently completed Township Road 120 provides a connective corridor between busy Highways 1 and 3 in the county. Cypress County has also been awarded 75% of the funding to update an area of the old Trans Canada Highway, leading to an area with significant commercial and industrial development. “We have an excellent working relationship with Alberta Transportation. They see tremendous merit in our projects, and we get funded quite generously,” asserts Aaserud, adding that changing three sewer lift stations is another project underway. She suggests that this type of infrastructure is particularly important for residential development. With funding in place for several bridge projects, Aaserud emphasizes the necessity of the county’s many bridges, for access to the agricultural community. A recent investment of $800,000 into walking trails in the Hamlet of Dunmore and the Dunmore community is evidence of Cypress County’s commitment to recreation options in the municipality. The county has also updated a walking path in the community of Suffield, leading into the Canadian Forces base CFB Suffield. Aaserud explains, “There was a walking path there, but the infrastructure had deteriorated over time. Cypress County and CFB Suffield have an exceptional working relationship, it’s mutually beneficial. So, the path needed to be done and Cypress County council agreed for us to manage the project and to pay for it.” In 2021 the county opened a Welcome Centre, with the purpose of providing visitors with information on tourism and businesses in Cypress County, as well as the rest of Alberta. The centre, which is located in the community of Walsh, was originally run by the province, with the county taking over after it closed in 2019. “Cypress County council saw the importance of reopening CYPRESS COUNTY , ALBERTA The road to success is always under construction.  Proud Contractor in the Cypress County Region 65+ years Experience and Knowledge! admin@whitefoxgroup.ca 403-527-8188 www.whitefoxgroup.ca