Steinbach is a city of approx. 13,000 people (2009 est.) in the province of Manitoba, Canada, a short distance from the capital Winnipeg. As the regional economic hub of southeastern Manitoba, Steinbach has a trading area population of about 50,000 people. It is the fastest-growing city in Manitoba, with a population growth of 19.9% between the 2001 and the 2006 census periods, which places it as the fifth largest community in Manitoba. Sandilands Provincial Forest is a short distance east of the city.

History

Steinbach (meaning "Stony Brook" in German) was founded in 1874 by German-speaking Mennonite settlers from Russia. The Mennonite Heritage Village museum, located in the city, provides a glimpse at the life of these settlers through a reconstructed village and interpretive displays. Its Dutch windmill, which was rebuilt (with help from Dutch millwrights) after the 1972 replica was destroyed by arson in 2001, is a recognized symbol of the city. Steinbach is known as "The Automobile City"; in 1914 the first Ford automobile dealer in Western Canada was established here.

In 2003 Steinbach residents narrowly voted in a local referendum to end liquor prohibition. Steinbach made the news again in 2004 when Miriam Toews published her best-selling novel A Complicated Kindness, which satirized the city under an alternate name.

Economy

As the economic centre of Southeastern Manitoba, service/retail industries employ the majority of the working population. Large manufacturing plants, especially those operated by Biovail and Loewen Windows (which is also based in Steinbach) also create a significant number of jobs. Agriculture, the traditional industry in the region, continues to dominate the economy as well.

Transportation

Access:

Steinbach is unique in that there are no railways to the town, so the majority of the transportation is via highway. Steinbach is located approx. 50 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg, in a direct line. Two-thirds of the distance by road from Winnipeg is covered by Highway #1 east - part of the Trans-Canada Highway (40 km.), the other one-third by Highway #12 south (20 km.), both stretches consisting of a four-lane divided highway. Highway 12 south from Steinbach is single-lane and connects to the American border at Sprague. Steinbach is thus situated on an alternate route - between Winnipeg and Thunder Bay, Ontario - which has been officially designated as MOM's Way since 2005. Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport is within a one-hour drive of Steinbach.

Airports:

The City Of Steinbach owns and maintains a federally licensed airport (Steinbach Airport). The main runway is 914 m in length by 23 m in width (3000 ft x 75 ft) and has an asphalt surface. The runway is serviced with lighting and a beacon for night-time use. Fuel and servicing are available on site and are provided through the Steinbach Flying Club. The airport also features aircraft tie-downs, a heated lounge building and restroom facilities.

Additionally, Harv's Air Service operates a private airfield to the south of the city (Steinbach (South) Airport). The main runway is 945 m in length by 30 m in width (3100 ft x 100 ft) and has an asphalt and turf surface. An additional runway measuring 559 m in length by 30 m in width (1835 ft x 100 ft) intersects the main runway to the north.

Education

Steinbach is part of the Hanover School Division. Three elementary schools Woodlawn, Southwood and Elmdale provide education from kindergarten through Grade 6. Grades 7 through 9 are currently provided by Steinbach Junior High School and Steinbach Christian High School. Hanover School Division plans to construct an additional middle school by Sept., 2011. Steinbach Regional Secondary School provides Grades 10 through 12 for Steinbach and the surrounding region. Steinbach Christian High School, a private school, offers both Junior and Senior High (Grades 7–12), and shares a campus with a Christian college, Steinbach Bible College. Steinbach has a post-secondary learning campus called Eastman Education Centre, which is currently offering courses from Red River College, University of Winnipeg, Assiniboine Community College and Providence College.

Information source: Wikipedia