March 2017 | Business View Magazine

206 207 industry,” Schlamp says. “Lantic produces sugar; Pepsico makes Frito-Lay chips and snack prod- ucts for much of western Canada. So, having a place for their organics to go to is an added bonus.” Regarding other modern amenities, Schlamp says that the town has worked with TELUS Mo- bility to get its fiber optic network installed in the community. “They invested over $9 million to make sure that our town was connected,” she says. “That’s giving people up to 100mbs. per second of speed. This allows our businesses to be more efficient. You can be connected to the global economy and compete on a global scale having that access that is fast and efficient.” Another way in which towns that wish to become cities can do so is by revitalizing their downtown cores, and because of the town’s land-use bylaw, most of Taber’s retail and professional sectors are located there. And although it’s not specific to downtown, Taber does have a beautification program for its local businesses. “It’s a partnership the town has with Community Futures,” says Schlamp. (Community Taber, Alberta Futures operates 268 non-profit offices across Canada that provide small business services to people living in rural communities.) “Business- es are eligible for up to $10,000 to put toward beautifying the outside of their buildings,” she continues. “Up to $2,000 can be a grant from the town, which is non-repayable, and up to $8,000 from Community Futures as an inter- est-free loan.” In order to provide more “natural” amenities for is residents, as well as attract more tourists, Schlamp says that the town is also planning to resurrect the Trout Pond, just west of town. “It wasn’t maintained,” she laments. “So, we’re going to partner with the Alberta Conservation Association and the Taber Irrigation District to have that pond re-filled and re-stocked with trout. We’ll maintain that area, once again, and create access to it.We’re hoping to put up picnic shelters and possibly a campground so that people can enjoy it and connect with nature.”She adds that a potential RV parkmight also help accommodate the 750 hunters who come to Taber each October for the town’s Pheasant Festival.