Airdrie Minute: Sign Regulations, Business Awards, and SMARTstart Applications Open

Airdrie Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Airdrie politics

This Week In Airdrie:

• There will be a meeting of City Council tomorrow at 1:00 pm. The meeting will begin with a closed session, wherein Council will discuss 2025 Citizen Members Board Appointments and 2025 Council Representatives Appointments. Once the meeting opens up to the public, Council will be asked to approve the 2025 Council Calendar.
  
  
• The recent completion of major upgrades to Deerfoot Trail promises smoother, faster commutes for residents of Calgary and Airdrie. Key improvements, including the addition of a fourth lane between Airport Trail and Beddington Trail and new connections at Beddington Trail Northwest and 11 Street Northeast, will redirect heavy traffic flow from McKnight Boulevard. The upgrades are expected to improve both safety and efficiency, with estimates of up to 22% faster commutes during evening rush hour and 900,000 hours saved annually.
  
  
• Applications are open for SMARTstart, an entrepreneurial training program in Airdrie that provides hands-on business skills, mentorship, and guidance for residents with validated business ideas or early-stage businesses under three years old. Launched in 2014, it has supported over 150 entrepreneurs, aiming to improve success rates for new businesses. The program offers 11 in-person or virtual workshops, covering essential topics like marketing, financing, and taxation, with local experts delivering practical advice. Participants are paired with experienced business mentors, who offer guidance and insights to help shape a personalized business plan. Applications for the 2025 program are open until December 9th, with up to 20 spots available.

Last Week In Airdrie:

• Proposed changes to the Land Use Bylaw that would implement new sign regulations were reviewed by the Community Infrastructure and Strategic Growth Standing Committee. The changes would condense the current 40-page signage section to 17 pages. Key revisions include categorizing signs into six main types, expanding permit exemptions, and updating digital signage rules to align with provincial guidelines. Notably, digital signs near residences must turn off overnight and display static images for 20 seconds. Additional rules will govern signs along the Highway 2 corridor, with strict size and content limitations to ensure safety. Council will review these proposed changes in an upcoming meeting.
  
  
• The Airdrie Regional Chamber of Commerce recognized local businesses with 10 awards at the 2024 Airdrie Regional Business Awards. Key winners included Bump, Birth, and Beyond Inc. for the Emerging Business Award and Airdrie Springs Dental for Business of the Year. Vitreous Glass’s Derek Forbes received the prestigious Hugh Hamilton Business Leader Award, while Airdrie POWER was honoured with the Community Spirit Award.
  
  
• Metal thefts, particularly copper wire and catalytic converters, have seen a decline in Airdrie in 2024, contrasting with trends in other parts of Alberta. Airdrie RCMP reported only one catalytic converter theft so far this year, a notable decrease from previous years. Copper wire thefts have also remained relatively low in Airdrie, with 15 incidents reported in 2024, down from 24 in 2023. While the province has seen significant losses from copper theft, Airdrie has been less affected.