Lethbridge, AB… Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) announced last week it will invest
over $400,000 to help Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL) and partners develop the supply chain and
logistics sector in Southern Alberta. The funding will be used for staffing and marketing Canada’s Western
Gateway Trade & Logistics Corridor (CWG) to a global audience.
This project was announced as part of PrairiesCan’s larger announcement of over $1.8 million in funding for
four projects throughout Alberta to enhance the capacity of Alberta agriculture and agrifood businesses to
enter new markets and help advance innovative technologies.
“Alberta is a key player in Canada’s agriculture and agri-food economy, and investing in supply chain
infrastructure is critical to helping local producers and businesses reach new markets,” said the Honourable
Terry Duguid, Minister for PrairiesCan. “Through this investment, Economic Development Lethbridge is
working with industry and municipal partners to strengthen the region’s logistics network, create new
opportunities, and build a more resilient and competitive economy.”
Canada’s Western Gateway is a consortium of Economic Development organizations, communities, and
industry players working together to advance southern Alberta industries and economic drivers through
investment attraction and advocacy for the region.
CWG Community and Industry partners include:
- City of Lethbridge
- County of Warner
- Lethbridge County
- Town of Milk River
- Cando Rail & Terminals
- Village of Coutts
- Village of Stirling
- Village of Warner
“The funding for this project will ideally help to attract, grow and retain businesses in the logistics sector. We
have numerous advantages based on our location here in the region and now we can move forward with boots
on the ground to support more robust investment attraction and businesses retention initiatives,” says Ben
Young, Director of Investment Attraction, Economic Development Lethbridge. “In 2023 Lethbridge area
manufacturers shipped over $2.2 Billion worth of manufactured goods and agrifood product from the region,
mostly via truck and rail, and we hope to increase exports as we work with our partners to better coordinate
warehousing, distribution and transportation opportunities.”
Approximately 30 jobs will be supported in the region, with 2 employees hired to work on this initiative based
out of Tecconnect in Lethbridge, with the remainder coming from supply chain & logistics SME’s opening or
expanding in the region. The 2 new hires will focus on investment attraction and communicating the benefits of
locating in Southern Alberta, with the 2nd position working with existing businesses on strengthening and
innovating their businesses.
For more information, contact:
Mark Neskar
Director, Marketing & Communications
Economic Development Lethbridge
403-393-6376
mark@chooselethbridge.ca
