Cochrane

Cochrane is a town in the province of Alberta, Canada. The town is situated 18 km west of the Calgary city limits along Highway 1A. With a 2009 population of 15,424, the town of Cochrane is the second biggest town in Alberta Province and among the fastest growing communities within the country. It is part of Calgary's Census Metropolitan Area and a member community of the Calgary Regional Partnership or CRP. The town is surrounded by Rocky View County.

The town of Cochrane was named after Senator Matthew Henry Cochrane, the man who established the Cochrane Ranche in the year 1881. The Canadian Pacific Railway granted the town site during the year 1885 and named it in honour of Senator Cochrane, but some people made the town of Cochrane their home in spite of the surrounding ranching population.

In the year 1903, the hamlet of Cochrane officially became a village. The 1906 population of the village was just 158 residents. Five years afterward the village boasted a population of 395 residents.

Cochrane is situated at the base of Big Hill in the Bow River Valley. It sits at an elevation of 3,891 ft. or 1,186 metres The town of Cochrane is intersected by Highway 22 and Highway 1A. The town of Cochrane has a reputation for its western culture, which can easily be felt when one strolls the roads. The town of Cochrane is a popular place for ice cream and coffee in its pretty western-oriented stores in addition to for hiking, windsports, golfing in addition to other adventure activities.

Cochrane is likewise a small industrial centre. Key businesses comprise lumber, construction, ranching and retail. It is notable as being among a very few communities within Canada with no business tax.

There are many reasons to do business here. The town of Cochrane is an educated, affluent community with more than 16,000 local consumers. The trading area in 50 square kms exceeds 1 million consumers. Cochrane's residential, commercial and industrial property prices are among the most affordable within the Calgary area.

The diverse business community already comprises national retail franchises, industry leading technology firms, natural resource processors and manufacturers, a host of business services providers and numerous successful private firms already capitalizing on the large regional and local marketplace.

Nowadays, Cochrane is still noted for its unique buildings, western heritage and popular "Main Street", along with its small town hospitality. With the completion of the downtown revitalization and celebration of the Town's centennial during the year 2003, the town of Cochrane has become a popular tourist location for many.

At the heart of Cochrane we value our small-town atmosphere, distinctive big hills, escarpments, unique opportunities and waterways.