This week's highlightsGeopolitics, energy, and trade drove global equities lowerGlobal rates adjust to inflation signals and anticipated policy shiftsCanadian manufacturing PMI rises to 13-month high in FebruaryU.S. sheds 92,000 jobs in February; unemployment rate rises to 4.4%Eurozone inflation rises unexpectedly, wit...

Officials with the City of Red Deer say building permit values totalled $2.7 million in February 2026, a decrease from $4.5 million in February 2025.The city adds that year-to-date permit values remain lower in 2026, with current values at $14.2 million, compared with $21.7 million at this time last year.Notable permit...

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) shared with 180 attendees this week, the breadth and impact of innovative applied research that addresses real-world challenges. On March 4, RDP students, faculty and staff shared their research projects and scholarly activity at the Polytechnic's Fifth Annual Research Showcase, demonstrating...

Alberta's government says it is investing $46 million into cutting-edge technologies that will safely reduce oilsands mine water and reclaim tailings ponds.According to the government, Alberta's oilsands produce some of the most responsible energy in the world. Provincial officials say the oilsands have drastically cut...

The part-owner of a company aimed at helping connect job seekers and employers in the skilled trades industry says workers are in high demand.Co-founder of the Energy Job Shop, Andrew Forster, said that in past, technology-based jobs may have been the path to follow to earn the most money; however, things are changing....

Officials with Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) say the institution is positioning itself as a catalyst for innovation, productivity and a driver of economic growth. On Feb. 25, on RDP's main campus, the Energy Innovation Fair showcased how the institution and its partners are shaping the province's energy future through exp...

The Red Deer Home Show returns for a 47th year this weekend.From March 6-8, the expo takes over a large chunk of Westerner Park, with more than 220 Canadian businesses and 430 booths across four pavilions.New attractions and demos will headline the show, including the returning Construction Competition, which hasn't be...

This week's highlightsAI disruption and rising inflation temper optimismGlobal rates adjust to inflation signals and anticipated policy shiftsCanada's economy contracted in the fourth quarter of 2025U.S. consumer confidence improves modestly in FebruaryGerman consumer confidence weakens as geopolitical uncertainty reig...

This week's highlightsEquities seek direction amid flurry of mixed data, policy, and geopolitical newsSovereign yields converge on mixed economic data and shifting policy expectationsCanada's annual inflation rate edges down in January as gasoline costs dropU.S. Q4 GDP up just 1.4%, missing estimate; inflation firms at...

This week's highlightsMarkets remain resilient despite AI pressures continuing to ripple though global marketsCooler U.S. inflation continues bond rallyCanada building permits rebound in DecemberU.S. adds 130,000 jobs in January, beating expectationsChina's consumer inflation eases, producer prices stay in declineWeek ...

The City of Red Deer announced an in-person vote will be held on March 16 for the potential disestablishment of the Business Improvement Area and Downtown Business Association. The vote is meant to gather input from the eligible BIA levy payers and is a mandatory step in the legislated process after Red Deer city counc...

Penhold town council has unanimously approved the write-off of uncollectable oil well accounts for Marksmen Energy Inc. and Canadian Oil & Gas Inc.The write-offs came in the amounts of $11,485.89 and $1,835.88 for Marksmen Energy Inc. and $5,460.98 for Canadian Oil & Gas Inc.The request for a decision came to c...

The Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC) is inviting everyone from youth and community members to businesses, non-profits, and community leaders - to share bold, innovative ideas that can reduce crimes against children and enhance child and youth safety through a new live pitch event, The Lions' Den.Set to tak...

Officials with AgSmart, a smart agriculture educational expo focused on the role of data and technology in modern agriculture, say the event is entering a new phase of redevelopment. In 2026, Agri-Trade, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology and key partners will focus on strengthening the event's direction and ...

A summary of the week's important events and how they could impact the market.This week's highlightsPrecious metals and tech pullback clash with hawkish Fed chair nominationSovereign curves move on soft hiring signals and central bank cautionCanada services PMI moves lower as activity and new business declineU.S. priva...

Olds College has announced it is suspending its Craft Beverage & Brewery Operations Diploma, adding that its on-campus brewery will close this June.Suspension of student intake for the program began in February 2025, but the college is now citing downward trends in the craft beer industry as the reason for a signif...

Building permit values in Red Deer totalled $11.5 million in January, down from $17.2 million in January 2025, according to the City of Red Deer.While more permits were issued overall, 94 compared to 65 a year earlier, total construction value declined year over year.Notable permits include:Building permit for construc...

Red Deer's unemployment rate dropped to 5.4 per cent in January, from 6.1 per cent in December.Elsewhere around AlbertaLethbridge-Medicine Hat: 6.9%Edmonton: 6.6%Calgary: 6.5%Wood Buffalo-Cold Lake: 6.7%Camrose-Drumheller: 6.0%Red Deer: 5.4%Banff-Jasper-Rocky Mountain House and Athabasca-Grande Prairie-Peace River: 5.2...

This week's highlightsTech earnings gains tempered by policy uncertaintySovereign curves anchored by Fed and BoC holdsBank of Canada holds benchmark interest rate steady amid trade uncertaintyFederal Reserve holds rates steady, citing still-high inflation and solid growthEurozone business confidence jumps at start of y...

This week on episode 58 The Everything Red Deer Podcast, host and rdnewsNOW reporter Josh Hall interviews Lacombe Mayor Thalia Hibbs about the announcement this week that the 119-year-old Lacombe Research and Development Centre will close, killing more than 100 local jobs. Josh and Thalia discuss Lacombe city council's...

Red Deer Polytechnic held its annual impact breakfast, where the institution highlighted the progress made and challenges faced during the last academic year through its 2025 impact report.RDP President Stuart Cullum said it means a lot to be able to share what the school has been able to accomplish every year."Wh...

A new economic development body is taking shape in Red Deer, and it stands for Developing Regional Innovation Ventures and Entrepreneurship.You may also call it Red Deer D.R.I.V.E., and it stems from recommendations made in June 2025 by The City of Red Deer's ad hoc economic development committee.The main recommendatio...

A new one-gigawatt data centre could be built in Olds.On Tuesday, Synapse Data Center Inc. announced, as a result of a $10 billion private-sector investment, plans for a proposed major data centre development in Olds.The organization said project construction is estimated to take two years and is expected to deliver si...

Companies involved in a new AI data centre in Red Deer County announced a major milestone on Monday.Havenz Smart Communities, in partnership with Energy Haven and Indigenous equity partner Turning Stone, announced that the first set of hydrogen-ready reciprocating engines had arrived and that full construction is now u...

Red Deer Polytechnic announced, through extensive collaboration, a new Central Alberta Trades Strategy (CATS) in an effort to expand access.The new CATS is set to transform how trades training is delivered, accessed and supported over the next five years.It was developed through collaboration led by Red Deer Polytechni...

This week's highlights Markets stabilize after early-week geopolitical unrest Yields jump on tariff shock, settle mid-week Canada's inflation rate rises to 2.4% in December, but core measures ease Fed's preferred inflation measure ticks higher as Americans keep spending China reports robust economic growth, thanks to r...

Stettler town council approved amendments to the land use bylaw, allowing data centre developments within the community's industrial areas.The move was made during their regular council meeting on Tuesday, which the town says positions them as a community ready for future growth and innovation.The amendments to the lan...

Small business owners in central Alberta are invited to attend an event in February focused on discussions around funding options.The "Money Talks" event is put on by Business Link Alberta in partnership with the Regional Business Support Network, Central Alberta First, and other local community organizations...