March 2017 | Business View Magazine

208 209 Schlamp believes that Taber has great potential for growth, and reports that its population increases at a rate of about 0.8 percent a year. “We have plenty of land for housing,” she explains. “The northwest area, within the town boundaries, is largely undeveloped. A lot of it is agricultural land. And that is envisioned to be residential, with some neighborhood commer- cial, and eventually a school, as it’s needed. Based on growth projections, it’s about 20 years for that to become fully built out. And in the northeast corner of town, we have a significant amount of industrial land– about 100 acres currently and some more beyond that.” For businesses, Schlamp says that Taber is the place to be.“If someone is looking to locate a business in southern Alberta,we are very strategically located,” she states.“We’re on two major high- ways.We’re only an hour from the U.S. border and we’re between two large cities (Lethbridge and Medicine Hat). Businesses that have relocated in Taber from Calgary have done so because they’ve been able to increase their service area without having to increase the amount of time spent servicing that area.” “For residents,we offer all the services that they would want in a big city,without having to pay for the big city,” says Brennan.“Taber is lucky to offer a lot of services that a big city would provide.We have a year-round, indoor pool (the Aquafun Center), a spray park, a skate park, and two ice surfaces.We’ve got an auditorium, and a downtown gymnastics club that’s privately owned. So, our recre- ation is some of the best in Alberta.Our housing market offers a lot of variety for potential residents.This is an attractive community to all ages because there is a strong sense of community, great school systems, and it’s a safe community.” One last characteristic that might help Taber achieve its hoped- for city status someday soon is its recent recognition by Expedia as the sixth friendliest place in Canada and the only one selected in the Province of Alberta.“So,we’re definitely a very welcoming community,” says Schlamp.“Taber’s a great place to grow.” Taber, Alberta Preferred vendor n RMW Consulting Inc. RMW Consulting Inc. works with municipalities and businesses in central and southern Alberta to create programs to reduce waste and promote recycling.