(Red Deer, Alberta) – The results from the 2009 Manufacturers survey are now in, and the results are comparable to the pre boom period within the region. Given the recent downturn in the economy, this year’s survey results paint a telling picture and serve as an important tool in helping to determine current issues being faced by manufacturers.

The 2009 Manufacturers survey offers quite a different picture than the last one completed two years ago. Although Red Deer Region manufacturers paid out an estimated $377,617,642 in payroll in 2009, only slightly lower than the $387,725,265 payroll pay out in 2007, the region was not immune to the global downturn that hit Alberta’s manufacturing sector hard in late 2008.

A decrease in sales, from $6.2 billion to $5.0 billion is directly related to the challenges in the oil and gas sector that sent a rippling effect through much of the province. Although job numbers in the manufacturing sector are down, 35.6 per cent of employers have said they plan to hire more new employees within the next year.

Trends revealed in the survey responses indicate a stabilizing period in the Red Deer region, with business rebounding to 2002 and 2003 levels. Most importantly, 96.5 per cent of respondents rate the Region as an excellent place to do business. Quality of life was listed as the top rated factor for doing business in the region, followed by Provincial tax rates and transportation costs.

“The lack of a business tax in the Red Deer Region helps to ensure business costs remain competitive,” said Michelle Zeggil, Red Deer Regional Economic Development Spokesperson “In addition, having quality of life rate so high offers the region a competitive advantage over Edmonton and Calgary.”

The survey is published biannually to give business leaders a broad view of trends and developments in local manufacturing industry More information about the 2007 Manufacturing Survey is available in the Red Deer Prospects Newsletter.

The Red Deer Regional Economic Development (RDRED) consists of the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce, The City of Red Deer, Red Deer County, and Red Deer College. The partnership exists to create strategic economic development initiatives aimed at attracting, retaining, and expanding business investment and labour force within the Red Deer Region.