Lethbridge, AB…Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL) held the organizations’ Annual General Meeting yesterday with a look back on not only 2023, but also two decades of economic development in Lethbridge as EDL celebrated 20 years of operation as an arms’ length organization this past year. The Annual General Meeting, held in the Grand Ballroom at the Coast Hotel and Conference Centre highlighted the work of EDL in 2023, and paid homage to past Board members, partners and staff since the inception of the Lethbridge Economic Development Initiative Society, which was formed in 2003.

“Having the opportunity to serve as President of the Board of Directors during EDL’s 20th anniversary year was truly an honour,” says Adriana Mercader, outgoing EDL Board Chair & President, and CEO, Flexahopper Plastics Ltd. “The work EDL does to advocate and market our city as well as the broader region as a location for growth and prosperity both professionally and personally is truly amazing. I want to thank my fellow Board members and EDL staff for all their hard work over the past years and look forward to seeing what the organization will accomplish in future years.” Mercader served 5 years on the EDL Board of Directors. She was the representative for the Industrial and Manufacturing sector from 2019-2023 and added Board Chair and President this past year. 

Economic Development Lethbridge is an arms’ length organization, supported by the City of Lethbridge, governed by a 31-member volunteer Board of Directors and managed by a team of professionals dedicated to promoting economic prosperity in Lethbridge. EDL Board Members are drawn from a diverse cross-section of the community with the intention of best accomplishing the mandate and objectives of the organization. In 2023, EDL commenced its latest 4-year business plan, supported by funding from municipal, provincial, and federal partners, aimed at enhancing its work. Last year saw a focus on workforce development initiatives and an increase in initiatives to help address labour force issues in our city. EDL administers two streams withing the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) on behalf of the City of Lethbridge, the Rural Renewal Stream, and Rural Entrepreneur Stream. EDL also added a labour demand tool, and continued to conduct market research with its Brighter Together Business Survey. 

“Last year was a busy year for EDL, and our AGM is a way to look back and highlight some of the wins, introduce and welcome our incoming Board members and say thanks to those who have served and are stepping away from their roles,” comments Trevor Lewington, CEO, Economic Development Lethbridge. “Yesterday was a day to update our Board and partners on how our new initiatives of this 4-year business plan cycle are moving along and was a great day to celebrate 20 years of Economic Development Lethbridge as well as see some familiar faces from the past who were key to our overall success.” 

Over its 20-year existence, Economic Development Lethbridge has had 184 members of the community serve on their Board of Directors. Those community members have provided a combined 537 years of service and have volunteered just under 39,000 hours towards EDL meetings, projects, and events. 

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work on some key initiatives set forth by the EDL Board this year,” says Timothy Hachkowski, incoming EDL Board Chair & President, and Co-Founder, Sumus Property Group. “The staff at EDL with direction from the Board of Directors will be looking at raising the profile of Canada’s Premier Food Corridor, becoming a destination for film, television and other creative industries in addition to leveraging new technologies and innovation to help not only the work they do internally but also spreading that knowledge to our business community and through the Southern Alberta entrepreneurial eco-system.’ 

For more information, contact:    
Mark Neskar
Director, Marketing & Communications
Economic Development Lethbridge 
mark@chooselethbridge.ca/403-393-6376 

The 2024 Economic Development Lethbridge Board of Directors are:
*Denotes new Board member.

Board Chair: Timothy Hachkowski
Vice Chair: Mayor Blaine Hyggen
Past President: Adriana Mercader 

Agriculture/Agri-Food: John Ross
Airport: Vacant
Arts, Culture & Entertainment: Mary Ann Crow Healy
Chamber of Commerce: Charlene Scheffelmair
City of Lethbridge Councillor: Jeff Carlson
City of Lethbridge Manager: Lloyd Brierley
Community & Social Services: Robin James
Construction: Blayne Janssens*
Education: Tricia Doherty*
Environment: Shannon Frank
Financial & Professional Services: Obed Maurice*
Health & Wellness: Dr. Steven Ha
Hospitality & Tourism: Jody Young
Indigenous: Byron Jackson
Industrial & Manufacturing: Matthew Salmon*
Lethbridge College: Jason Donkersgoed
Lethbridge County: Tory Campbell
Multicultural: Dr. Sampath Walgama*
Non-profit: Sandra Mintz
Real Estate & Development: Ken Harvie
Regional Economic Development Agencies: Peter Casurella*
Retail: Jeremy Roden
Sector-At-Large: Vacant
Seniors: Keith Sumner
Sports/Recreation: Susan Eymann
Supply Chain & Logistics: Brent Peterson
Technology: Ed Limon
University of Lethbridge: Dr. Dena McMartin*
Young Entrepreneur: Timothy Hachkowski
Young Professional: Jared Boras