Welcome

The Village of Acme, located northeast of the City of Calgary, has many things to offer from a variety of recreational activities and community involvement, to business opportunities.

The beautiful tree lined streets, recognized by the Green Streets Canada Program, make it a peaceful, beautiful place to reside.

With just a short 45 minute drive to both Calgary and Drumheller, residents can enjoy the quiet and safe country life while still being able to access major amenities.

Acme has both residential and commercial land available including a seniors self-contained housing unit.

Community spirit is evident in the thriving village as the residents work together to provide community events.

Activities such as the annual Sports Day and Flower Show bring the community closer together. It is hard to get bored in the community with the vast network of clubs and the large variety of well-maintained recreational facilities and parks.

Our friendly community of 656 invites you to consider a move to our growing village and to explore the professional and commercial business opportunities.

History

Acme officially became a village on July 10, 1910. Over the century it has grown from a population of 190 to its current 648. The village offers a wide variety of amenities including educational, postal, and government services.

The name Acme means "highest point on the map" and is appropriate as the village was located at the north end of the railway construction line map.

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The agricultural and trucking based community has grown immensely over the years and is looking to expand.

Area Overview

Located 75 km northeast of Calgary, the Village of Acme was incorporated on July 7, 1910, on the same day when the first passenger and freight train arrived. This was the first incorporated village in the area of the M.D. of Kneehill.

The name "Acme" was given by CPR surveyors and was the highest point of the map used in the early days. Acme was the end of the CPR railroad until 1921 when the railway was extended to Drumheller.

Prior to 1912, the CPR railway was built from Calgary to Edmonton via Beiseker to Three Hills and from Calgary to Saskatoon via Drumheller. Acme was the point of supply for a large area. Many early family histories mention stepping off the train at Acme prior to settling in the area.

Today, the Acme district is a rich agricultural area. Oil and natural gas is also produced in and around the Acme region.

Acme officially became a village on July 10, 1910. Over the century it has grown from a population of 190 to its current 648. The village offers a wide variety of amenities including educational, postal, and government services.

Climate

Current Conditions

Average Temperatures

January - Maximum: -6.3 Celsius. Minimum: -16.7 Celsius.
July - Maximum: 23.5 Celsius. Minimum temperature = 9.9 Celsius.

Annual Precipitation

Rain and Snow = 431.9 mm

Days of sunshine

332.9 days per year

Average Wind Speed

14.8 km/h W and NW

Source: Environment Canada

Community Services

Acme Village Office

Box 299
Acme, Alberta T0M 0A0
Tel: (403) 546-3783
Fax:(403) 546-3014

Community Futures Wild Rose

Community Futures Wild Rose is a user-friendly business development centre, entrepreneurial development centre, career and employment centre, and a key partner in community economic development in the Wild Rose Region. Specific services we provide include:

• Fully repayable business loans up to $150,000
• Free job posting service with in-office paper job board and online job bank
• Career counselling and job search assistance including resume and cover letter preparation assistance
• Free internet and computer access, plus access to printing and photocopying
• Small business training through the Self Employment Program and free and low cost business seminars via tele-conferencing

Beiseker & District Chamber of Commerce
Contact: Dave Fegan
Tel:(403)-947-3477
Beiseker, AB TOM 0G0

Meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of every second month in Beiseker.

Central Alberta Economic Partnership Ltd(CAEP)
Tel: (403) 340-5300
Fax:(403) 340-5231
201, 4920-51 Street
Red Deer, AB T4N 6K8
Website:Central Alberta Economic Partnership Ltd(CAEP)
Email: info@centralalberta.ab.ca

The Central Alberta Economic Partnership Ltd. (CAEP) is a regional economic development alliance of 42 Central Alberta communities. The partnership was organized in 1998 and is in its seventh year of business. CAEP is noted as being the first regional alliance in Alberta and serves as a model for collaborative community economic development

Acme Municipal Library
Acme Library is located in Acme School. Library is open on Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 PM. A member of the Marigold Library System allowing access to a wide variety of books.

SPECIAL ANNUAL EVENTS/ATTRACTIONS

Community spirit is evident in the thriving village as the residents work together to provide community events. Activities such as the annual Sports Day and Flower Show bring the community closer together. It is hard to get bored in the community with the vast network of clubs and the large variety of well-maintained recreational facilities and parks.

Sports Day - Last Saturday in June.

ACCOMODATIONS

• Acme Inn
  610 Pacific Ave.
  Acme, AB
  T0M 0A0
  Telephone (403) 546-4133
  Fax (403) 546-4118
• Country Village Bed & Breakfast
  128 NOLAN ST, PO Box 251
  Acme, AB
  T0M 0A0
  Telephone (403) 546-4478
  Fax (403) 546-4031

RESTAURANTS

• Acme Pub Chinese & Western Cuisine
• N A & W Restaurant Western Cuisine

Community Lifestyle

Recreation

Rural Lifestyle

Acme is part of the Wild Rose Region. Many residents and business owners choose to locate in the Region because of the safety and security of small town living. As indicated by the below table, crime statistics are substantially lower in the region than typical of a larger metropolitan center like the City of Calgary.

Acme offers residents rural community values and an affordable country lifestyle close to the amenities within the region and the neighboring metropolitan centers. Despite favorable economic growth, it’s still very affordable to buy a home and live in the Wild Rose Region. The region offers the most affordable local utilities, based on comparison with Calgary and area utilities. In the Wild Rose Region, local utilities (water, sewer and garbage) are approximately 26% lower than the average of communities in and around Calgary (Benchmarks Nichols Applied Management, 2000).

TOURIST SITES

Frank Fooks Memorial Park Campground
Come and enjoy the quiet surroundings at Acme's campground. Available are 10 electrical sites with a cost of $10/night and numerous non-electrical sites at a charge of $8/night. Visitors can enjoy the convenience of a camp kitchen, pre-cut firewood, and tap water. Sit back and enjoy the beautiful park, grab some horseshoes and have a game or two, or roast some marshmallows over BBQ and fire pits. While there, jump over to the ball diamonds adjacent to the campground or enjoy the many other recreational services provided by Acme. Click here to visit Acme's listing on Explore Alberta.

Royal Tyrell Museum
Approximately 45-minutes away find the world-renowned Royal Tyrell Museum featuring dinosaur and prehistoric exhibits. Click here to visit their web site.

Economic Base

ECONOMIC STRENGTHS

Agriculture

An abundance of productive farmland, clean air and water make Acme an attractive place to live and operate a business. Acme is an agricultural based community, focusing on livestock, extensive livestock and grain operations. It is one of the major employers in the area. Local products include wheat, barley, oats, canola, hay, dairy, beef, cattle, poultry and hogs.

The following tables outline the magnitude of agricultural products in the Region:

Trucking

• Acme is home to several major trucking firms.
• These businesses transport a wide variety of materials, mainly agricultural products.
• The trucking industry is considered another major employer in the community.

ACME BUSINESS DIRECTORY

• Acme Driving School
• Agriculture (Sunterra Farms Ltd.)
• Appliance sales and service (Kent's Appliance)
• Auto & heavy duty repair
• Automotive dealership/parts
• Bank (Bank of Montreal)
• Bed & breakfast (Country Village B&B)
• Building supplies, contractors and hardware
• Campground (Frank Fooks Memorial Park)
• Couriers
• Excavating and backhoe services
• Gas stations
• Glass installation and service
• Golf (Acme & District Golf Club)
• Grocery & convenience stores
• Hairdresser
• Hotel/bar (Acme Inn)
• Insurance
• Laundromat
  
• Postal service
• Restaurants (Acme Pub - Chinese Cuisine, NA&W - Western)
• RV & vehicle storage
• Tradesmen: heating, plumbing & electrical
• Truck & car wash
• Trucking firms
• VHS & DVD movie rentals
  

Economic Facts

DEMOGRAPHICS
The population of Acme is 656

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
Land use and development approvals are reviewed by the Village's Development Officer and the Municipal Planning Commission to ensure orderly and beneficial use of land.

DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Commercial Property

• Reasonably priced land in new commercial district
• No business tax or license fee
• Competitive property taxes
• Good highway access
• Growing, thriving community
• MAKE A PROPOSAL, WE WILL LISTEN

Residential Property

• Large lots (60' X 110') in Phase II of Heritage Estates for future development.
• Phase I of Heritage Estates serviced lots are completely sold.
• Adjacent to Golf Course
• Within walking distance to all amenities
• Recreational facilities galore
• Beautiful maintained parks

WORKERS COMPENSATION
Average cost per $100 payroll in Manufacturing: $3-$4
Average cost per $100 payroll in Office Work: $.40
Maximum weekly benefit $1,176.92
For additional details on the program see:Workers Compensation Board

EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE 55% of your average insurable earnings to a maximum of $413 per week.
For additional information on the program see:Employment Insurance Information for Employers

RESEARCH BASE
Being a close neighbor of the City of Calgary, companies located in Acme have access to a broad range of research facilities located in an around the City. For additional information on the following research facilities, simply click on the name to access the link.

• Alberta Research Council
• Calgary Technologies Inc.
• Edmonton Economic Development Corporation
• Food Processing Development Centre
• TRLabs
• WurcNet

FURTHER IN-DEPTH INFORMAITON

• Municipal Profilesdeveloped by Alberta's Ministry of Municipal Affairs
• Alberta - A Wealth of Opportunity developed by Alberta Economic Development
• Alberta Economic Highlights developed by Alberta Economic Development
• Alberta Economic Outlook developed by Alberta Economic Development
• Alberta Export and Trade developed by Alberta Economic Development
• Tourism Reports developed by Alberta Economic Development
• Alberta Finance Statistics also contains much information which may be useful.

Education

Acme is part of the Golden Hills Regional Division No. 75 headquartered in Strathmore Tel: (403) 934-5121

Acme School
provides education for Grades K to 6 and for Grades 10-12.
Elementary special education is available.


Title: Principal
Name: Gary Semotiuk
PHONE: (403) 546-3845
Fax: (403) 546-2248
Email:gsemotiuk@goldenhills-schools.com

Title: Associate Principal
Name: Dennis Denham
PHONE: (403) 546-3845
Fax: (403) 546-2248
Email: ddenham@goldenhills-schools.com

Title: Secretary
Name: Kathryn Senft
PHONE: (403) 546-3845
Fax: (403) 546-2248
Email: ksenft@goldenhills-schools.com 

Junior High school students Grades 7-9 are bussed to Dr. Elliot Community School (Linden) to attend school while Linden students in grades 10 to 12 attend Acme School. Call (403) 546-3863.

Title: Principal
Name: Shawn Campbell
Phone: (403) 546-3863
Fax: (403) 543-4220 

Title: Associate Principal
Name: Beth Worsfold
Phone: (403) 546-3863
Fax: (403) 546-4220
Email: bworsfold@goldenhills-schools.com

Title: Secretary
Name: Bev Toews
Phone: (403) 546-3863
Fax: (403) 546-4220
Email: btoews@goldenhills-schools.com

Acme ECS

The Kindergarten program prepares children for Grade 1 and encourages development of a positive self-concept in a child centered environment.

Acme Playschool

For ages 4 & 5. All activities are designed to prepare children for Kindergarten.

Emergency Services

FIRE PROTECTION

Acme is served by a local volunteer fire department (Tel: 9-1-1).
in joint operation with the nearby Village of Linden and Kneehill County, providing fire service to the community. Acme has a number of trained volunteer fire fighters.
Contact Fire Chief John Schmidt at (403) 546-6759 for more information.

POLICE SERVICES

Acme is served by the Beiseker detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) (Tel: 9-1-1) Non-Emergency: (403) 947-3420

AMBULANCE SERVICES

Ambulance service is available from Linden (Tel: 9-1-1).
Non-Emergency: (403) 443-5541 or (403) 443-2014.

Health Care

Acme belongs to the David Thompson Regional Health Authority

Hospital care is available at Three Hills Health Centre (403) 443-2444
Box 340, 1504 - 2 St. North,
Three Hills AB T0M 2A0
25 km northeast of Acme.

Three Hills Services include a 48-bed hospital, several doctors, a health unit, dental clinic, optometrist and chiropractor as well as counseling services.

Key Contacts for Business Development

Village of Acme

Box 299, Acme
Alberta T0M 0A0
Tel: 403-546-3783
Fax: 403-546-3014
Email: caoacme@airenet.com
Mayor
Dennis Kuiken
C.A.O.
Joanne Weller

Community Futures Wild Rose

Community Futures Wild Rose is a user-friendly business development centre, entrepreneurial development centre, career and employment centre, and a key partner in community economic development in the Wild Rose Region. Specific services we provide include:

• Fully repayable business loans up to $150,000
• Free job posting service with in-office paper job board and online job bank
• Career counselling and job search assistance including resume and cover letter preparation assistance
• Free internet and computer access, plus access to printing and photocopying
• Small business training through the Self Employment Program and free and low cost business seminars via tele-conferencing

PROVINCIAL

Alberta Economic Development
2rd Floor, Provincial Building
4920 - 51 Street
Red Deer, Alberta T4N 6K8
Tel: 403-340-5300
Fax: 403-340-5231
Dawna Allard, Regional Manager dawna.allard@gov.ab.ca
Linda Jabs, Regional Development Project Officer linda.jabs@gov.ab.ca
Lisa Houle, Regional Development Project Officer
lisa.houle@gov.ab.ca

Richard Marz
Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA)
Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills Constituency
#319 Legislature Building
10800 97 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5K 1E4
Tel: 403-415-0994
Fax: 403-422-5628

FEDERAL

Myron Thompson
Member of Parliament (MP)
Wild Rose Constituency

House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Location

The Village of Acme is located in Kneehill County. It is 13 km north of the Village of Beiseker and 78 km northeast of the City of Calgary.

Longitude & Latitude

Longitude: 113 degrees 30'
Latitude: 51 degrees 30'

*Time required is calculated based on 'ideal' traffic and weather conditions. **Distance is measured from city centre to city centre.

Post Secondary Education

BUILDING FUTURES

Acme is part of the Wild Rose Region.
With internationally recognized post secondary institutions, the Wild Rose Region is attracting students from around the world.

For information on Educational Opportunities in close proximity to Acme visit the school's corresponding website:

OTHER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES within close proximity are:

Prairie Bible Institute offers a wide range of programs, including ministry, aviation, drama, wilderness leadership and music, to students from over 20 countries around the world. Students can earn a one-year certificate or a four-year degree.

Covenant Bible College is an eight-month program of Christian discipleship. The Strathmore campus is one of three campuses, with the other two located in Colorado and Ecuador.

Rosebud School of the Arts offers a unique blend of practical and theoretical training in the performing arts. In addition to the arts program, Rosebud provides apprenticeship programs in the hospitality industry.

Taxation

	Residential	Non-Residential
2005
Municipal Tax Rate	15.702	15.702
Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate	4.821	6.312
Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate	.015	.015

Mill Rates (2005)

• Residential – Public 20.538

• Residential – Separate N/A

• Non Residential – Public 22.029

• Non Residential - Seperate N/A

Transportation

HIGHWAYS
The Village of Acme is located in the Kneehill County No. 48. It is 13 km north of Beiseker and 78 km northeast of Calgary.

For manufacturers and producers who need assistance to determine the most cost-effective and efficient transportation method, AlbertaPORT provides a "virtual" gateway to assist with transportation logistics at Alberta-Canada.

AIR SERVICES From Acme the nearest municipal airport is at Beiseker, which has a 900 meter runway and all-weather facilities.

The nearest commercial and air freight services are at Calgary International Airport.

• Airport is 72 kms from Acme
  
• For a listing of non-stop passenger destinations visit Passenger Non-stop Destinations.

TRUCKING FIRMS
Kneehill Transport
Hannah Transport Ltd.
Westland Livestock Ltd.

POSTAL & COURIERS
Canada Post, Purolator, UPS and FedEx all provide delivery services for the Acme area. Canada Post fills a vital need in the region providing cost-effective and timely mail delivery. In its mission to provide innovative physical and electronic delivery solutions creating value for its customers, Canada Post works with its business customers to ensure their mail communication needs are achieved. In 2001, Canada Post received an on-time, combined service performance score of 96.4% on properly prepared letter mail.

For more information on service in Acme contact:
Canada Post,Purolator,UPS & FedEx.

Utilities

ELECTRICITY and NATURAL GAS are deregulated in Alberta.
The Alberta government provides a Web site to provide information to assist consumers to choose the appropriate provider for their residence or business. To learn more about electrical or natural gas providers visit Customer Choice

Electrical Power:

FortisAlberta

Epcor

Natural Gas:

Direct Energy Services

Atco

COMMUNICATIONS

Cable Television:
Persona Communications

Telephone:
Telus Communications

Internet Service:
Wildrose Internet Services
Telus Communications

Acme also has access to all the major radio stations from Calgary and Q91 radio station, which broadcasts from Drumheller. Acme has access to all of the TV stations broadcasting from Calgary.

LOCAL/REGIONAL NEWSPAPERS

WATER, WASTE & SEWER MANAGEMENT

Water Supply
The Village of Acme belongs to the Kneehill Regional Water Services Commission which supplies water to urban & rural municipalities. The water is supplied from the Red Deer River, through the Treatment Plant, located in Drumheller, and then piped to the area. The reservoir capacity, measured in treated substance, is 227 cubic meters.
Water rate is $12.95/1000 gal per each household or $2.85/cubic meter.
Water reservoir's capacity is 150,000 gallons.

Landfill & Waste Management
Sewage treatment is provided by a lagoon consisting of 4 short and 2 long detention ponds.

Industrial, commercial and residential garbage is collected weekly. Acme Transfer Site, Pacific Avenue.

Transfer site only, with 2 bins. Drumheller Waste empties bins twice a week. Cost is $13.50 per month to each household.

For information on Alberta regulations for water and waste water please visit Alberta Environment.
Alberta’s commitment to water resources is three-fold: a safe, secure drinking water supply, healthy aquatic ecosystems, and reliable, quality water supplies for a sustainable economy.

Alberta Environment has developed water programs that include studying, monitoring and testing of water sources. They have established guidelines to ensure quality standards for the many uses of water, and programs to protect ecosystems and enforce regulations.

Alberta has the most stringent drinking water program in the country and was one of the first provinces to fully adopt the Canadian Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality as a minimum standard. Alberta Environment strives for continuous improvement in its program and works closely with Alberta Health and Wellness to ensure Albertans continue to enjoy high-quality drinking water.

Population

Total Population 1991-2001

Acme Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Acme Highest Level of Schooling 2001

Labour Force

Acme Labour Force By Industry - 2001

Income

Building Permits

Total Housing Starts

Value of Building Permits

Dwellings