(Cochrane, AB) – Cochrane’s vision for the next four years now has a clear path to action.
At their regular meeting on September 8, Mayor and Council formally adopted the Town of Cochrane’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan in its entirety, including the key projects, initiatives and timelines that will guide how Council’s priorities are delivered.
The adoption marks the next step in the strategic planning process. In June, Council approved the Plan’s foundational elements — including its vision, mission, promise to the community, five strategic priorities and supporting objectives — and directed Administration to develop the implementation framework needed to put that direction into action.
“This is an exciting moment for Cochrane as we move beyond planning and into action," says Mayor Morgan Nagel. "The Strategic Plan is more than just a list of priorities. It's a clear plan that identifies the projects, timelines and work needed to deliver meaningful results for our community. It gives residents confidence that we're focused on the right things and committed to following through."
The completed Strategic Plan now connects those priorities to specific key results, projects and timelines, creating a clear line of sight from Council’s vision to the work residents will see happening across the community. It will guide Town decision-making, budgeting and the allocation of resources over the next four years, while providing a framework to measure and report on progress. It is centred around five priorities:
- Responsible community growth
- Strong financial strategy
- Infrastructure delivery
- A thriving economy
- Housing for people.
Together, they focus the Town’s work on balancing responsible growth, reliable services and infrastructure, financial sustainability, economic opportunity and quality of life.
Council also adopted its 2026–2030 Advocacy Priorities, establishing a coordinated approach to advancing issues where Cochrane cannot achieve the desired outcomes alone and requires action, investment or decision-making from other orders of government and regional partners. The priorities complement the Strategic Plan by identifying where external partnerships and support will be important to advancing Council’s broader direction.
The Advocacy Priorities are organized around three focus areas: Transportation Networks and Economic Connectivity, Community Infrastructure and Community Wellbeing. They include advocacy related to transportation and Highway 22 South, infrastructure funding, water and wastewater, recreation, healthcare and EMS, schools, housing and other services that support the community. The Council report specifically aligns these advocacy areas with all five Strategic Plan priorities, creating a connection between the work the Town will lead locally and the outcomes it will pursue with its government and regional partners.
“Council has established a clear vision for Cochrane’s future and given Administration strong direction for the remainder of their term,” says Drew Hyndman, Drew Hyndman, Chief Administration Officer, Town of Cochrane. “Delivering on that vision comes down to the work of our people. Across the organization, our staff bring the expertise, dedication and commitment needed to turn these priorities into real results for residents. The Advocacy Priorities complement that work by identifying where we need the support and partnership of other orders of government to achieve the outcomes our community needs.”
To learn more about how these priorities will guide the future of Cochrane, residents are invited to the State of Cochrane on Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lions Event Centre. Residents will be able to explore the Strategic Plan, learn about the projects and priorities that will shape Cochrane over the next four years, and discover how Council and Administration plan to turn vision into action. Meet the people behind the plans, ask questions and learn more about what’s ahead for Cochrane. Event details can be found at cochrane.ca/stateofcochrane.
The 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, along with the 2026-2030 Advocacy Priorities, are built on the long-term vision established through Envision Cochrane 2050 and will guide Administration's work through 2030.
To learn more, visit cochrane.ca/strategicplan or cochrane.ca/yourvoice.
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