Start a Business

Obtaining a Business Licence

All businesses operating in Cochrane must possess a valid business licence. Contact business licensing at 403-851-2573 to discuss your options and the process. You can also download the information from this website under the Businesses tab.

Business Opportunity Research & Analysis

The secret to business success is planning and preparation. You wouldn’t build a house without a blueprint, why build your business without a plan? All good business plans are based on research and analysis. The business development office provides experienced business research and analysis resources for local businesses. We can help you make the most of the business opportunity you are pursuing and assist you in obtaining the information you need to make strategic business decisions with confidence.

Local Expansion

Ready to take your business to the next level? We are happy to help in any way we can, by identifying new sites or larger facilities, connecting you with strategic partners, identifying and introducing new, complementary business products or services into your existing business. Perhaps you simply want to brainstorm on ways you can grow your existing business. Don’t hesitate to call us. We’ll connect you with information and resources you need to grow and prosper.

Our staff has extensive experience for expansion in both product and service marketing strategies. We can offer you guidance, point you in the direction of low cost / no cost marketing solutions and help you develop targeted marketing and promotion strategies to get your message and your business brand out to the right people.

Site Selection

That old real estate adage, "Location, location, location." rings true for business site selection. Finding the right place for your business can mean the difference between success and failure. We work with entrepreneurs, developers and site selectors to identify and prioritize potential business locations in Cochrane. Sometimes it is easier to work on a team. Great ideas and the resources to bring them to fruition sometimes originate in different places. If you have a great idea, let us point you in the direction of resources that can match you with an investor.

Support & Training

The business development office is your partner in building business skills and entrepreneurial capacity. In addition to offering presentations, seminars and workshops featuring business experts, we want to know what skills you wish to develop. If we can generate enough demand, we are happy to host an event that will help you become a better business owner.

Information on Financing Options

Banks, investors, government programs, grants and subsidies…how does a business owner make sense of all these financing alternatives? What will work best for your lending needs? We can connect you with the resources and information you need to make informed choices for financing your business.

Identifying Export Opportunities

The business development office can help you explore opportunities to export your product or service. We have contacts in international market research, international business planning, international marketing and more.

Identifying Importing Opportunities

Importing can be an effective way to grow your business or it can be the basis for starting a business. Contact our office to find out more about rewards and challenges of importing.