Key Location!
Currently home to 7,883 residents, Innisfail has been experiencing
a steady annual growth rate. Innisfail is appealing because
of its small town feel with all the amenities and attractions,
and its convenient location in Central Alberta's beautiful
parkland. Innisfail is home to some 450 businesses - several
large industries and numerous smaller industries and many
commercial businesses. Since Innisfail offers a strategic
central Alberta location being situated on the major north/south
Highway 2 corridor, between Calgary & Edmonton (117 km
north of Calgary, 30 km south of Red Deer, and 176 km south
of Edmonton), there are major opportunities for economic growth
in Innisfail. Many existing industries and businesses are
expanding and there are also many new highway commercial lots
available in Innisfail with Highway 2 access and visibility.
Community Economic Development
The community of Innisfail is actively working on community driven economic development. In 2004 a community economic development planning process was undertaken. This began with the development of Innisfail & Community Economic Development Board whose mandate is to develop an overall community economic development strategy to promote, facilitate and support commercial, industrial and business development within the Innisfail community. This board consists of 10 volunteers from the community, including one rural/agricultural representative. There are no council members on Innisfail’s Economic Development Board. These board members and Town Council members then took part in Basic Community Economic Development Training, provided by Economic Developers of Alberta. In September of 2004, Community Strategic Planning Workshops were held to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of Innisfail. These workshops were attended by 36 community members who provided input to identify priorities and set a direction for a community economic development strategy. Two strong community working groups came out of these sessions - Business Retention & Expansion Committee and Community Lifestyles Committee. Both groups are very active developing and carrying out various community initiatives.
Demographics
Innisfail has grown from a population of 5,700 in 1991 to
a thriving community of 7,883 in the 2009 municipal census.
With an average population growth rate of 2.12 percent it is projected the Town of Innisfail will reach a population of over 10,000 in the year 2020.
