Blab Business
St. Albert Business Survey Shows Strong Optimism Amid Commercial Space Challenges
On Tuesday, July 7, 2026, the City of St. Albert released the results of its 2026 Business Survey, a phone‑ and e‑mail‑based study that reached 430 local firms. The findings paint a picture of widespread confidence among owners and managers, even as the city wrestles with a tight commercial‑space market.
A striking 94 percent of respondents said they were somewhat or very satisfied with doing business in St. Albert. The survey identified three key drivers behind that optimism: the availability of child‑care services, fast‑internet connectivity, and the ability to reach new markets. These factors together helped explain why the majority of businesses view the city as a supportive environment.
Employment and revenue trends were mixed but largely positive. Only five percent of firms cut staff in the past year, while 20 percent added employees. Looking ahead, 28 percent expect to hire more and just 2 percent anticipate layoffs. Revenue trends echo that sentiment: 41 percent saw an improvement over the last year, 20 percent experienced a decline, and 55 percent expect to generate more cash next year compared with 13 percent who foresee a decrease.
The survey also measured attitudes toward doing business in the city. A net 21 percent of respondents said their view had improved over the past 12 months – the largest net gain since the survey began in 2020. Moreover, 90 percent would recommend St. Albert to companies considering expansion or relocation.
"Optimism leads to investment, which in turn creates jobs and spending," said Rob LeLacheur, chair of the St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce. "The survey’s results confirm that our community remains an attractive place for business." LeLacheur urged the city to build on the positive momentum by expanding online listings for commercial rentals and offering digital‑marketing support. He noted that 65 percent of respondents who wanted marketing help would benefit most from social‑media assistance.
Joint Physiotherapy owner Bobby McGugan echoed the survey’s findings. "I’ve seen a steady flow of new clients over the last year and plan to expand next year," McGugan said. "The city’s skilled workforce and stable customer base make it a great place to operate. Child‑care availability was especially helpful for my staff, many of whom are parents." McGugan also highlighted a challenge: the scarcity of commercial space. "You’re paying full market value or above," he said.
The city’s commercial‑real‑estate data support McGugan’s concerns. Retail vacancy in St. Albert stands at 3.5 percent, lower than Edmonton’s 4.1 percent, yet the limited supply keeps prices high. Amanda MacDonald, St. Albert’s economic‑development officer, said the city is working to open more commercial and industrial land. The municipal government has approved $62.7 million for front‑end servicing of the Lakeview Business District and launched an $8 million incentive program in January to encourage industrial and commercial development.
The Lakeview Business District, a new industrial hub serving the Edmonton region, is a key focus of the city’s growth strategy. By providing development incentives and infrastructure support, St. Albert aims to attract manufacturers, cleantech firms, and agribusinesses.
The 2026 Business Survey is considered accurate to within 3.4 percent at a 95 percent confidence level. The full report is available on the city’s website.
In summary, St. Albert’s business community remains optimistic, with strong satisfaction rates, modest employment growth, and a majority of firms expecting higher revenues. The main hurdle identified is the cost and availability of commercial space, a challenge the city is addressing through financial incentives and land‑development initiatives. The next steps for local businesses will be to monitor the rollout of the Lakeview incentives, seek marketing support where needed, and continue to capitalize on the city’s strengths in child care, connectivity, and market access.
A striking 94 percent of respondents said they were somewhat or very satisfied with doing business in St. Albert. The survey identified three key drivers behind that optimism: the availability of child‑care services, fast‑internet connectivity, and the ability to reach new markets. These factors together helped explain why the majority of businesses view the city as a supportive environment.
Employment and revenue trends were mixed but largely positive. Only five percent of firms cut staff in the past year, while 20 percent added employees. Looking ahead, 28 percent expect to hire more and just 2 percent anticipate layoffs. Revenue trends echo that sentiment: 41 percent saw an improvement over the last year, 20 percent experienced a decline, and 55 percent expect to generate more cash next year compared with 13 percent who foresee a decrease.
The survey also measured attitudes toward doing business in the city. A net 21 percent of respondents said their view had improved over the past 12 months – the largest net gain since the survey began in 2020. Moreover, 90 percent would recommend St. Albert to companies considering expansion or relocation.
"Optimism leads to investment, which in turn creates jobs and spending," said Rob LeLacheur, chair of the St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce. "The survey’s results confirm that our community remains an attractive place for business." LeLacheur urged the city to build on the positive momentum by expanding online listings for commercial rentals and offering digital‑marketing support. He noted that 65 percent of respondents who wanted marketing help would benefit most from social‑media assistance.
Joint Physiotherapy owner Bobby McGugan echoed the survey’s findings. "I’ve seen a steady flow of new clients over the last year and plan to expand next year," McGugan said. "The city’s skilled workforce and stable customer base make it a great place to operate. Child‑care availability was especially helpful for my staff, many of whom are parents." McGugan also highlighted a challenge: the scarcity of commercial space. "You’re paying full market value or above," he said.
The city’s commercial‑real‑estate data support McGugan’s concerns. Retail vacancy in St. Albert stands at 3.5 percent, lower than Edmonton’s 4.1 percent, yet the limited supply keeps prices high. Amanda MacDonald, St. Albert’s economic‑development officer, said the city is working to open more commercial and industrial land. The municipal government has approved $62.7 million for front‑end servicing of the Lakeview Business District and launched an $8 million incentive program in January to encourage industrial and commercial development.
The Lakeview Business District, a new industrial hub serving the Edmonton region, is a key focus of the city’s growth strategy. By providing development incentives and infrastructure support, St. Albert aims to attract manufacturers, cleantech firms, and agribusinesses.
The 2026 Business Survey is considered accurate to within 3.4 percent at a 95 percent confidence level. The full report is available on the city’s website.
In summary, St. Albert’s business community remains optimistic, with strong satisfaction rates, modest employment growth, and a majority of firms expecting higher revenues. The main hurdle identified is the cost and availability of commercial space, a challenge the city is addressing through financial incentives and land‑development initiatives. The next steps for local businesses will be to monitor the rollout of the Lakeview incentives, seek marketing support where needed, and continue to capitalize on the city’s strengths in child care, connectivity, and market access.
