The County of Forty Mile No. 8

What The County of Forty Mile No. 8 does

The County of Forty Mile No. 8 is a municipal government entity in southeastern Alberta, Canada, established in 1901 under Alberta's Municipal Government Act. It administers a 7,283 square kilometre jurisdiction containing 602 farms, 7 hamlets (Burdett, Etzikom, Manyberries, Nemiscam, Orion, Skiff, Winnifred), and 5 border crossings with the United States. The County provides core municipal services including property taxation, assessment, public works, utilities (water, wastewater, garbage, bulk water), agricultural support through the Agricultural Service Board, emergency services via 7 volunteer fire stations, parks and recreation (40 Mile Park), planning and development, and enforcement.

The County's technology stack is built around GIS-based services — an ESRI-powered interactive web map launched in September 2024, paper and PDF maps updated annually, and digital orthophotography — supplemented by a proprietary mobile app (40Mile) for iOS and Android offering permit applications, push notifications, photo-based issue reporting, and one-touch calling. A third-party online payment system (OptionPay) handles taxes, utilities, permits, and campground fees. The County is investing in an open-access broadband fiber network along Highway 3, Highway 61, and Highway 879, supported by a $3.3M CRTC grant in June 2025, and operates a regional water pipeline infrastructure completed in phases from 2018-2020 serving Burdett, Etzikom, and Manyberries.

The County's revenue model is anchored by property taxation on an assessed property base of approximately $717 million (2012), supplemented by user fees and utility charges (water, wastewater, garbage, bulk water, campgrounds, permits), provincial grants and requisitions (primarily Alberta Education funding), and federal/provincial infrastructure grants. The 2023 Strategic Plan emphasizes rural growth, tourism development, safety, and service quality. The County is governed by an elected Reeve and six councillors, with current administrative leadership under CAO Nathan Ogden, and operates with 51-100 employees across approximately 22 distinct departmental functions.

Name

The County of Forty Mile No. 8

Legal name

County of Forty Mile No. 8

Website

https://40mile.ca

Company type

Public

Founded year

1901

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The County of Forty Mile No. 8 is a municipal government in southeastern Alberta, Canada, administering 7,283 sq km of rural jurisdiction. It provides property taxation, utilities, agricultural support, emergency services, public works, and broadband infrastructure to approximately 602 farms, 7 hamlets, and ratepayers across its statutory geographic boundary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Local Government Administration

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Utilities (221)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950), Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Works & Municipal Infrastructure (Streets, Stormwater, Facilities) (BPAIACAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Municipal Tax & Revenue Administration (Local) (BPAIACAD)

Keywords

• Rural municipal government
• Local government services
• Agricultural support services
• Rural infrastructure maintenance
• Municipal utility services

Headquarters

HQ city

Foremost

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Property Taxation: Property taxes are the County's largest source of revenue. Tax revenue goes into a general revenue fund used to pay for all operating expenses not covered by provincial grants, user fees or other revenue sources. Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the Market Value of property by the Tax Rate.
2. User Fees and Utility Charges: Fees for utilities (water, wastewater, garbage), bulk water, park fees, camping fees, development permits, fire permits, and various service fees.
3. Provincial Grants and Requisitions: Funding from Alberta Education for schools and seniors lodges, requisitioned through property tax bills. Provincial grants for various programs and services.
4. Accounts Receivable and Service Billing: Accounts receivable billing mailed weekly, utility bills issued monthly from the 1st to end of month, invoices available by the 5th.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The County of Forty Mile No. 8 is a rural municipal government in southeastern Alberta that provides statutory and discretionary local-government services to residents, agricultural producers, and businesses within its boundaries. Its core offerings include road and infrastructure maintenance, dust control, agricultural and utilities services (bulk water, natural gas, irrigation), fire and emergency protective services, parks and recreation, property tax administration, planning and development, and broadband connectivity supported by a GIS-based information system.

Product overview

The County of Forty Mile No. 8 is a municipal government organization providing a portfolio of digital services and community facilities. The digital offerings consist of a unified mobile app (40Mile Mobile App) for iOS and Android, an online payment system powered by OptionPay, an interactive ESRI-based web map for GIS access, and an online fire permit application system. These digital services are complemented by a broadband network infrastructure initiative and recreational facilities including 40 Mile Park. The portfolio does not follow a platform-plus-modules architecture but rather consists of separate functional services unified under the County's administrative framework.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rural Road Maintenance and Dust Control Maintenance, grading, and dust control on the County's rural road network, serving residents, agricultural producers, and commercial traffic.
• Bulk Water Service Sale and delivery of bulk water to residents, agricultural producers, and commercial users within the County.
• Natural Gas Distribution Distribution of natural gas to residential, commercial, and agricultural customers within the County's service area.
• Agricultural Support Services Programs and services supporting local farmers, ranchers, and irrigation operators, including irrigation support and agricultural service delivery.
• Fire and Emergency Protective Services Fire suppression, prevention, and emergency response services delivered through County fire stations and emergency management.
• Parks and Recreation Facilities Operation of County parks and recreation facilities (including 40 Mile Park) for residents and visitors.
• Property Tax Administration Levying, billing, and collection of property taxes, supported by an accounts receivable system.
• Rural Broadband Connectivity Provision and expansion of broadband internet connectivity to rural residents and businesses in the County.
• Interactive GIS Web Map Public-facing GIS web map providing geographic and property information for residents, businesses, and developers.
• Bow Island Community Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 602 farms covering 7,216 sq kms served by agricultural support programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Verge Economic Development AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe purpose of Verge EDA is to establish Southeast Alberta as the hub for regional economic development through collaborative partnerships, stimulating growth and wealth for the region. County participates in regional marketing and business attraction efforts.
• Palliser Economic PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional Economic Development Alliance of communities committed to improving and expanding economic development in Southeast Alberta. Responsible for marketing the Palliser region to the world.
• Highway 3 Regional Water Services CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty is partnered with the Commission and Village of Foremost in receiving potable water to hamlets of Burdett and Etzikom through regional pipelines. Part of the Foremost Forty Mile Regional Water Project.
• Village of ForemostcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional water partnership for provision of potable water to hamlets. County partnered with Village for regional water treatment plant completed in early 2018 and pipeline infrastructure.
• North Forty Mile Regional Waste Management Services CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides recycling and waste transfer services to northern half of County including Bow Island, Burdett, Winnifred and Whitla areas. Services include landfill, e-waste, paint, tires, propane tanks, oil disposal.
• South Forty Waste Services CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides recycling and waste transfer services to southern part of County including Skiff, Foremost, Etzikom, Orion and Manyberries. Now accepting rechargeable batteries, cell phones, grain bags, and twine for recycling.
• Town of Bow IslandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty built and operates new bulk water station near Bow Island airport on land leased from the Town. Water supplied through Town's distribution system.
• Shortgrass Library SystemminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBow Island and Foremost Libraries are members of the Shortgrass Library System providing library services to County residents.
• Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen (AAAF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty Agricultural Fieldman is a member. ASB attends Provincial Agricultural Service Board Conference annually where members receive industry updates and make resolutions to government.
• St. Mary River Irrigation DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty participates in St. Mary River Irrigation District Executive Committee and Working Committee. Irrigation district provides water storage for 40 Mile Park reservoir.
• Foothills Little Bow AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty participates in this association. Multi-jurisdictional collaboration for regional issues.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Newell County: Southeastern Alberta county with comparable agricultural base, irrigated specialty crops, and rural municipal service profile. Comparable budget scale and population density.
• Cypress County: Adjacent rural municipal district in southeastern Alberta with similar agricultural economy, volunteer fire services, and hamlet utility provision. Directly comparable in scale, geography, and service mandate.
• Lethbridge County: Neighboring southern Alberta county with agricultural economy, irrigation district partnerships, and similar municipal service delivery model across a large geographic footprint.
• Taber MD (Municipal District of Taber): Southern Alberta municipal district with intensive irrigated agriculture, agricultural service board programs, and small rural population similar to Forty Mile's profile.
• Warner County No. 5: Southern Alberta municipal district bordering the US, with comparable agricultural focus, small population, and similar cross-border economic dynamics.
• Pincher Creek MD No. 9: Southwestern Alberta municipal district with ranching/dryland farming base, volunteer fire services, and similar scale of operations as Forty Mile County.
• Vulcan County: Southern Alberta county with agricultural economy, agricultural service board programs, and comparable rural infrastructure responsibilities.
• Cardston County: Southern Alberta county with agricultural economy, volunteer fire services, and comparable municipal governance structure serving dispersed rural population.
• Starland County: Small southeastern Alberta county with agricultural focus, limited staff base, and comparable rural municipal service delivery mandate.

Broad incumbents

• Special Areas Board: Provincial-mandated rural administration entity covering a vast multi-county territory in eastern Alberta with similar agricultural service, infrastructure, and utility mandates but operating at larger scale under provincial governance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/countyof40mile

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The County of Forty Mile No. 8