Town council has approved a two-year $150,000 external marketing campaign to attract new residents, skilled workforce, entrepreneurs, and businesses to Cochrane.

The campaign is called Think Big, Live Cochrane and places emphasis on the business opportunities available, complimented by a high quality of life with a small town feel.

"It's aimed to attract residents, skilled workers to Cochrane as well as new businesses," Mike Korman, business development manager, explained to council.  "We're supporting the development of a entrepreneurial mindset as well as increased awareness of the lifestyle Cochrane provides."

Korman expects the campaign will be launched in early December.

The Calgary area will be its major focus. The target workforce will be science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workers and academics as well as technical and high-end mechanical workers.

This matches with the target businesses in the fields of technology, environmental sciences, renewable energy and companies that compliment major Cochrane employers.

A number of benchmarks have been set. It aims to attract 200 new businesses a year and increase inquiries by both potential businesses and residents.

Currently, the Town of Cochrane issues about 1,850 business licences, half of them home-based.

It also aims to help the town reach its residential growth targets of three to four per cent, increase nonresidential property tax revenue by 15 to 16 per cent, and decrease the number of people commuting to Calgary for employment.

The town's economic recovery task force gave its blessings to the campaign on Aug. 19.

The campaign is being funded from the town's business development reserve.