Local Business
Oil, gas potential studied
JUNEAU, Alaska — The state of Alaska on Monday proposed a multiyear, multimillion-dollar plan aimed at determining the true oil and gas potential in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
State officials hope the plan will reinvigorate — and reshape — the debate over whether to drill on the refuge’s coastal plain. READ
Hospitality shifts to Olds
Red Deer College’s hospitality and tourism program, which was among the casualties of recent budget cuts at the college, will be offered at Olds College beginning in September. READ
McLevin Industries goes green
A fourth-generation Red Deer business is about to go green in a big way — 33,000 square feet in all. READ
Overseas operation boosts High Arctic
Strong results from its Papua New Guinea operations helped counter a sluggish Canadian market for High Arctic Energy Services Inc. (TSX: HWO) during the first quarter of 2013. READ
Gamehost reports record revenue
Red Deer-based Gamehost Inc. (TSX: GH) has reported record revenue for the three months ended March 31. READ
New burger outlet opens on Lakeshore
The Great Root Bear may be gone, but a menu filled with burgers hasn’t. READ
Local summer jobs get federal cash infusion
Some Red Deer students have a chance to earn money and gain work experience because of the government of Canada’s summer jobs program. Locally funding through the Youth Employment Strategy and the Economic Action Plan, 71 jobs for 56 employers were possible because of federal funding, which totaled $330,551 this year in Red Deer. READ
Market seminars praised
A series of Alberta seminars about global market access is being hailed a success, with similar events planned for the future. Cal Dallas, Alberta’s International and Intergovernmental Relations minister, presented in 10 communities from April 15 to May 2, including Rocky Mountain House. READ
Lacombe tax rate lower than expected
Lacombe council approved a 2.3 per cent municipal tax rate increase on Monday. For many residential taxpayers, the increase on their bills will be even lower because the school tax portion of the bill is lower this year. The owner of a typical house assessed at $253,032 will pay just under $41 more, to boost their total tax bill to about $2,461 from $2,420 last year. That works out to a 1.68 per cent increase. READ
Mortgage brokerage recognized
A Red Deer mortgage brokerage firm was honoured Friday at the CMP (Canadian Mortgage Professional) Canadian Mortgage Awards in Mississauga, Ont. READ
Crop year off to slow start
The 2013 crop year is off to a slow start for Central Alberta farmers. Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development reported on Friday that heavy winter snowfall, cool temperatures in April and precipitation this spring have delayed the drying and warming of soil throughout the province. READ
Home builders drive economy: report
Red Deer’s residential builders performed nearly a quarter billion dollars in construction and renovation work last year, employing some 880 local people in the process. READ
Livestock price insurance urged
Agriculture Financial Services Corporation is urging cattle producers to consider price insurance for their livestock. Calf prices this spring have been in the $1.50- to $1.55-a-pound range, said Anne Dunford, an Alberta cattle market analyst. They could climb higher if moisture conditions in the U.S. turn around and large corn crops are harvested, she said, but market volatility and price swings are also possible. READ
New Ponoka car wash
Construction crews work inside and out on the new Prairie Boys Truck and Car Wash in Ponoka Thursday. The 13-bay business is located on the town’s south side just west of Hwy 2A. READ
Spring’s late arrival could be major challenge to farmers
Agrium Inc. says spring’s late arrival to North America could be a major challenge, as farmers who buy fertilizers, seeds and other agricultural products from the company have less time to get their crops in the ground. READ
Chatters ‘cutathon’ raising money for women in Uganda
Would you like to better the lives of women in Uganda? If you have hair on your head, you can. This Saturday, Chatters Canada Ltd. is holding a cutathon called A Beautiful Cause. Customers can obtain a haircut for a minimum donation of $12, with all proceeds going to AG Hair’s Women Leading Change Foundation. READ
Home starts stay brisk
Residential construction continues at a brisk pace in Red Deer, with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. reporting 62 housing starts last month. That tally, which included 40 single-detached homes and 22 units in multi-family projects, was up 19 per cent from April 2012, when there were 52 starts. READ
Downtown historic building to get facelift
Another historic building in downtown Red Deer is slated for a facelift and a re-purposing. READ
Markerville jewelry shop approved
A new Markerville shop offering handcrafted jewelry and glassware was approved by Red Deer County’s municipal planning commission on Tuesday. The Blacksmith Boutique will be open from mid-May until the September long weekend and will offer unique locally made jewelry and hand-painted glassware. READ
Engineer builds new bridges for healthy eating
Engineer-turned-holistic-nutritionist Kristin Fraser believes food is mostly at the root of what ails us. Whether someone is suffering from diabetes, hypertension or depression, Fraser advocates trying a diet that’s low in sugar, processed fats, caffeine and alcohol, and high in natural “living foods,” including raw, leafy greens. READ
