Economic development grants get to southern Alberta, though nothing for Medicine Hat

By Medicine Hat News on April 10, 2025.

Southeast Alberta will receive $30,000 in regional economic development project funding from the province among nearly $10 million in grants announced Wednesday.

That includes about $370,000 for projects in southwest Alberta, Lethbridge and Taber, as the province tripled money this year for Northern and economic development this year.

The program will help “attract investment, grow economies and create high-value, stable jobs for Albertans,” according to Jobs Minister Matt Jones.

“This program unlocks new opportunities for Albertans in every corner of the province, ensuring Alberta remains the best place to live, work, invest and raise a family.”

In 2023, the City of Medicine Hat won a $200,000 grant from the program to create a development strategy including nearby counties, and in 2024, a $125,000 award detailed opportunities at the Medicine Hat Regional Airport. That same year, the Village of Foremost won $200,000 to advance drone development centre.

This year, Cypress County is listed as securing a $30,000 outlay to develop a 10-year investment attraction strategy for investments in agriculture, tourism and renewable energy.

The Alberta Southwest Regional Alliance of 15 municipalities west of Lethbridge was approved for $77,300.

Lethbridge Economic Development was awarded a total of $147,600 for two projects: to study the creation of a “creative industries hub” aimed at attracting filmmakers, and $97,600 to promote Canada’s Premiere Food Corridor, which includes Lethbridge city and county.

Similarly, the SouthGrow Regional Initiative, involving 30 municipalities around Lethbridge, will use $128,000 to tailor economic development plans for its members.

The Town of Taber will use $17,500 in direct marketing for international investments.

Elsewhere, the Siksika Nation, Calgary Economic Development, Airdrie, the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association and Generate Canada Inc., a critical mineral and clean energy alliance, were each awarded the program maximum of $300,000 each.

The city of Airdrie was allotted $245,000 and Strathmore $91,000, among 25 successful applications in total.