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Welcome to Lethbridge

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Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL), the Downtown BRZ and the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce are working together to survey local organizations in order to better understand and evaluate the current business landscape in our region as we move into 2024.  Please see the survey link below: 

Lethbridge Brighter Together Survey 

Please respond by no later than Thursday, November 30, 2023.

The goal of this survey is to learn about opportunities to enhance local business services and reduce barriers to doing business that local organizations presently face.  Please help us by filling out this short survey so we can:

  1. Measure the current economic climate
  2. Anticipate and recognize the challenges that our local businesses and organizations are facing
  3. Highlight and articulate our comparative advantages as a city
We appreciate your support in this endeavour.

Please contact us with any questions or concerns. 

Thank You, 

Mike Prociw
Workforce Initiatives Supervisor
Economic Development Lethbridge

This is Lethbridge

Lethbridge’s increasingly diversified economic base benefits from the healthy mix of businesses that are anchored to our community. With no business, payroll or machinery tax, available serviced industrial land ready for construction and office space at less than $16 per square foot, Lethbridge offers a low-cost operating environment with demonstrated savings in areas such as taxation, land, construction and transportation.

A recent Conference Board of Canada Mid-Sized Cities report noted the healthy growth among information and cultural industries in our city, which can be linked to the strong presence of two post-secondary institutions as well as the emergence of Lethbridge as a significant high-tech presence in Alberta.

A mid-sized city of over 100,000 people, Lethbridge is located in the southern part of Alberta, Canada. With an average of 320 days of sunshine each year and one of the warmest winters in the western provinces, there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy all that this city and region has to offer. The geographic location also ensures close proximity to world class ski resorts in the Canadian Rockies, majestic national parks, the vibrant city of Calgary and the U.S. border.

Check out a few quick facts about living in Lethbridge:

  • A family earning $80,000 annually has $16,875 in disposable income (compared to -$60 in Calgary)
  • Lethbridge has more than 70 parks, 200 km of walking and running trails, playgrounds and sports fields
  • Average home prices in Lethbridge are among the lowest of all major cities in Alberta

This website is designed to help you discover everything you need to make Lethbridge your top choice to live, learn, invest, visit and do business.

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Did You Know?

Every year more than 2,800 people complete some form of postsecondary education in Lethbridge.

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Business

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Our Business
Is Your Business

A bright spot in the province, Lethbridge is the southern Alberta hub for both traditional industries and emerging technologies.

Lethbridge thinkers, makers and doers are leading change in Agriculture, Food Sciences and Manufacturing within a community that is propelled by innovative research and a spirit of entrepreneurship.

Lethbridge’s economy has always been distinguished by the ability of businesses and entrepreneurs to adapt and innovate with changing times. The agriculture sector, long a mainstay of the region’s economy, is shifting from pure production to an increased focus on value-added processing. We are home to a thriving technology sector, driven by a growing knowledge workforce and fueled by the bright minds at our post-secondary institutions and research centres. Our diverse business community includes small businesses and global corporations, 100-year-old companies to the ever-evolving roster of tech startups based out of the Tecconnect centre for entrepreneurship and innovation. Lethbridge has now eclipsed 100,000 residents, making it the third largest city in the province, and remains at the intersection of innovation for business, commerce and education in southern Alberta.   

Our message is clear: if you are looking for a a place to start or grow your business in a community full of opportunity, Lethbridge is a bright choice.

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Business Overview

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Doing Business

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Locating Here

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Economic Indicators

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Industries

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Entrepreneurs

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Welcome to Tecconnect's webpage, we are Southern Alberta's HUB for Innovation & Technology!

If this is your first time visiting and you are looking for advice, support, or guidance for your business or business idea - you're in luck... 

Our Entrepreneur Program is completely FREE and can get you access to expert advice through our business advisory services.  We always recommend the use of innovation and technology to compete in today's business landscape and find efficiencies. 

Whether you've been operating for years and are looking to make a change, or you're considering how to get an idea off the ground, the Tecconnect referral network and education offerings will also strengthen your approach to doing business a better way!

 

Start here by requesting an appointment for an intake application via our Entrepreneur Program Manager:

Email - education@chooselethbridge.ca and we'll be in touch shortly!

 


Frequently Asked:

What is a Tecconnect Business Advisor?

A Tecconnect Business Advisor provides direction and sometimes instruction around specific business challenges.  They help entrepreneurs to make informed business decisions but do not direct what those decisions should be. Tecconnect, through government funding, pays these consultants an hourly rate to provide this free service to entrepreneurs.

Services can include:

One-time or multiple sessions that assist entrepreneurs by providing advice on streamlining or improving business model; addressing a specific business challenge; navigating options and opportunities, connecting with resources and assisting with planning and goal setting.  

Services not included:

Tecconnect Business Advisors will not do the work for you or provide a product for you.  For example, a Business Advisor will not write your business or marketing plan. They will advise you of what those documents are, how they are used and how to create one.  They may also help you determine how to find the right service provider that can provide that service.  But their paid services as a Tecconnect Business Advisor do not expand beyond advisory services.  

 

How is a Business Advisor different from a Mentor?

An advisor, as defined as “one who gives advice” whether it be a business advisor or other type of a specific expertise in a particular area of practice, their job is literally to give you advice on what you should do. Usually, an advisor is engaged through a targeted phone call, an email with a set of questions, or semi-regular update meetings.

A mentor provides more broad support usually through years of experience and wisdom and is not typically associated with the company, but rather, focused on the business owner’s personal growth and development over a longer period of time through a relationship building process. Perhaps the most important distinction between a mentor and an advisor is that a mentor is not someone who is paid and does not financially benefit from your success.

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Business Advice

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Tecconnect

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Programs & Events

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Entrepreneurs

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ElevateIP Alberta

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Living Well

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Vibrant arts and
Culture and exploring The great outdoors

Life in Lethbridge strikes a balance between the feel of a close-knit small community and the services and amenities of a growing urban centre.

Living in Lethbridge, you’ll find a diverse population, two modern post-secondary institutions, a thriving arts and culture scene, top-notch recreational facilities all set against a stunning natural environment within a community where collaboration is king.

Lethbridge is two hours south of Calgary, Canada’s third largest city and a major transportation hub for the region, and one hour from the U.S. border. Lethbridge’s location in the heart of southern Alberta also puts it in close proximity to premier attractions like Waterton Lakes National Park, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site and Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park. The Oldman River runs through the middle of the city, creating scenic coulees, verdant valley parkland and boundless recreational opportunities.

The following highlight boxes and data tables will propvide you with additional info about our bright city!

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Living here

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Enjoy Lethbridge

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Education

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Health & Safety

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People

Economic Development Lethbridge, with our two world class post-socondary institutions, service providors, industry leaders, municipal and provincial governments and key stakeholders are continuing to work on initatives to grow and maintain a qualified workforce in our region.

In the most recent Brighter Together Survey, results showed that busiensses found barriers to doing business in the area included a qualified workforce and workforce availabilty.

We've developed a series of videos which focus and highlight some of the work being done by the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College to prepare students for the workforce as soon as the graduate and well into the future by using technology and innovation alongside an ever changing curriculum focused on preparing graduates for work in southern Alberta.

We also talk to industry leaders and recent and former graduates about how sector specific micro-credentials allow learners to focus on a dedicated position or job and then acquire a skill set that ultimately leads to success.

Another major talking point in the Brighter Togetehr Workforce Series is the quality of life and work-life balance enjoyed in Lethbridge and the surrounding areas. A low cost of living, combined with an abundance of sun and plenty of recreational opportunites make Lethbridge a true destination for the workforce of today and into the future.

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Workforce Development

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Demographics

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Culture & Diversity

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Income

Still Have Questions?

We would be happy to answer any questions you have about Lethbridge. Simply fill out this contact form below and we’ll do our best to reply within 48 hours.