Brandon, the second largest city in Manitoba has a trade area population of 180,000. Nestled in the scenic Assiniboine River Valley in the heart of western Manitoba, Brandon has approximately two-thirds of Manitoba's farmland located within a 130 km radius of the city.
Brandon is very close to the geographical centre of North America and is ideally suited for North American and global impact.
Brandon acts as the central trading centre for the entire western Manitoba region, encompassing 38,850 sq km and a population of 180,000. The commuting pattern extends approximately 64 km and includes 80,000 people. Large numbers of employees choose to live in smaller centres or in a rural setting and elect to commute to work.
History
In May of 1881, General Thomas Rosser chose a location for a major divisional point of the Canadian Pacific Railway and named this new townsite "Brandon" for the nearby Brandon Hills. With that, hundreds flocked to Brandon to gain a foothold in the new development and to reap the benefits of the rich and abundant farmland. They came quickly and before they could put up permanent structures, new habitants arrived and pitched their tents, sure to be charter participants in the new west. It grew so rapidly that it never attained the status of a village or a town, but became a city overnight. Brandon was officially incorporated as a city on May 30, 1882.
Economic Base
Brandon can be categorized as a typical service centre for a large agricultural region that is on the verge of no longer being "typical". Although an agricultural influence still exists, Brandon is also the education, health, retail, service and entertainment centre for the region.
The manufacturing sector and the services sector in Brandon have experienced the greatest growth in Brandon in the past few years. The city is growing at a brisk but manageable pace thus creating an atmosphere where employer and prospective employee tend to find each other. Both are attracted to Brandon by their counterpart's need.
Brandon is fortunate to have a varied manufacturing base. While the Agriculture community has a strong impact on manufacturing, products and services are diversified sufficiently to allow the economy to remain stable despite peaks and valleys in the farm economy. Brandon's largest manufacturing employers are Maple Leaf Pork, Koch Nitrogen, A.E. McKenzie Seed Company, Behlen Industries, Inventronics, Canexus and Wyeth Organics.
Significant economic generators in Brandon are:
Farm fertilizer production
Federal, provincial and municipal government
Higher education, college and university
Industrial and Commodity chemical production
Major event hosting, national and international calibre
Metal fabrication
Pork processing
Regional centre for health care, recreation and entertainment
Regional retail and service provider, all categories
Trucking centre
Major Attractions
Brandon proudly boasts a reputation as "the Host City". We are a city of volunteers and leaders with a vision. As such it has become internationally recognized as a host community that not only supports and organizes major events, but also does it very well. To do this the city has developed outstanding public and private facilities to accommodate thousands of visitors. Brandon has played host city to numerous major world class events such as the World Curling Championships and the Canada Winter and Summer Games.
Brandon has received top marks in a number of national competitions. The City has received the prestigious "National 5 Blooms Award" as part of the Communities in Bloom initiative. The City has also received provincial recognition in the Attractions Canada competition for our one-of-a-kind Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum and the beautiful Assiniboine Riverbank Enhancement Initiative.
The Art Gallery of Southern Manitoba houses contemporary and historical works as well as a gift shop and studio workshop. The Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium showcases a variety of cultural activities and is home to ballet, classical concerts, festivals, music recitals, theatrical performances, and much more.
The Assiniboine Riverbank Trail System spans approximately 17 kilometers of the river and is comprised of numerous trails linked together with the intent to enhance both recreational and ecological opportunities. The corridor includes a network of parks and pathways linked by the Red Willow Pedestrian Bridge. The trail system ranges from natural river bottom forest to paved, lit walkways and links formal sports venues to downtown shopping and dining. In the winter, the trail system is extended with cross country ski trails and the beautifully lit Skating Oval and Waterfall of Lights skating paths.
Eleanor Kidd Gardens one of Brandon's great Assiniboine River Corridor's attractions and is located adjacent to Eleanor Kidd Park, just off 18th Street on the south side of the Assiniboine River. Eleanor Kidd Gardens offer a beautiful setting, featuring a Performance Plaza with a small stage and seating area for community arts performances. There is also a Fountain Plaza featuring a life-sized bronze sculpture of a doe and two fawns by local artist Peter Sawatzky. The Gardens also boast a beautiful Stroll Garden area with a variety of annual and perennial flowerbeds.
The B.J. Hales Museum of Natural History offers geological displays and exhibits highlighting over 500 specimens of Canadian birds, mammals and insects.
The Daly House museum, located in the original home of Brandon's first mayor, Thomas Mayne Daly, portrays life as it was in the late 1800's with displays of period furniture and photographs.
The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum at Brandon Airport is the only aviation museum in Canada dedicated solely to those who trained and fought for the Commonwealth during WWII. The museum is filled with aircraft, artifacts and memorabilia. Brandon is also home to many other small museums and displays, as well as numerous designated historic and heritage sites throughout the city.
Facilities - Recreation, Parks, Culture
Whatever the season, Brandon offers a host of recreational facilities within the city to keep you active. Whether you are looking for a cultural experience, a recreational adventure or a historical voyage through time, Brandon has something for everyone. Brandon offers a multiplicity of recreational activities to keep residents of all ages active.
Basically if you do it - Brandon offers it. Brandon is home to six local golf courses / driving ranges, as well as numerous baseball diamonds, hockey rinks, tennis courts, soccer and football fields just to mention a few.
With almost 10 acres under one roof, the Keystone Centre is one of the largest convention, entertainment, agricultural and recreation complexes of its kind in North America. It is home to some of western Manitoba's largest events.
Other Information
Access
Vehicular access from the east and west of Brandon is along the four-lane, divided Trans-Canada Highway. This route is the major east-west highway in Canada, and links the country from coast to coast. Provincial Trunk Highway 10 links Brandon to more northern communities such as Flin Flon Manitoba. Highway 10 also extends south through Boissevain and the International Peace Gardens to Dunsieth, North Dakota. Many smaller regional roads connect Brandon to much of southwestern Manitoba.
Trucking
Several small and large trucking firms serve Brandon both locally and internationally. Brandon's highway access makes it accessible to all major markets in North America.
Workforce & Labor Costs
Based on 200 Census information, nearly 42,000 people comprise the 15 years and plus labour force in the Brandon Labour Market Area. Of these, 52% are males and 48% are females. The City of Brandon accounts for 50% of the Labour Market Area total, towns and villages for 25%, and the rural countryside for 25%.
Average incomes for full-time permanent workers vary considerably among the three component populations of the Brandon Labour Market Area. For males, the average income is $31,722 in Brandon and $20,223 for females. The Average income in Brandon is $ 56,213 while the median income is $ 49,012.
Industrial Land
Brandon and vicinity offers a variety of available developed and undeveloped properties for the establishment of businesses and new industries.
Water Services
The City of Brandon's Water Treatment Plant provides a water supply capacity of 54 million litres per day and operates between 45% and 75% capacity, depending on demand. The Assiniboine River, which runs through the city, is the source of water during normal operation.
Sewage Collection & Treatment
Also operating in the city is a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility for all wastewater generated within the city. All developed areas of Brandon are serviced with a piped municipal sewer.
Landfill & Eco-Center
The City of Brandon owns and operates its own landfill site. Garbage collection is provided to most city addresses. A curbside recycling program is available for Brandon residences.
Education
Brandon School Division has approximately 7,500 students, 900 staff members and twenty-three schools that include elementary, junior high and senior high schools. The Division is large enough to offer the same wide range of educational and student support services that are found in larger centres. Brandon University and Assiniboine Community College offer post-secondary degrees and diploma programs in a variety of fields. Brandon is also home to the Manitoba Emergency Services College and Midwestern School of Business & Technology. A wide range of registered and home daycare facilities provide care for pre-school and school aged children.
Health Care
Brandon Regional Health Centre is a full service health care facility providing care to a large part of southwestern Manitoba. Several medical clinics provide day to day care and services. Brandon has a wide array of dental clinics, chiropractors, and other specialized health care professionals.
Police & Fire
Brandon has its own police service with an authorized compliment of 81 members and 27 civilian employees.
Brandon is serviced by two fire stations located on opposite sides of the city. The stations are staffed by firefighters, qualified paramedics and 911 personnel. The force is backed by the latest in modern fire fighting and search and rescue equipment.
Quality of Life
Ask any new resident to describe why they chose Brandon and you will hear these terms used frequently: opportunity, quality of life, value, competitive advantage, friendliness and diversity.
