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investment from Lethbridge Country. “They all
saw the long-term potential for Lethbridge as a global leader in agriculture,” says Mike Warkentin, Lethbridge and District Exhibition’s CEO. “Agriculture often gets lost in conversations about Alberta, where the focus is oil and gas. But the main driver of the economy in Southern Alberta is agriculture: whether it’s retail, manufacturing, or construction, all of those industries are fed by agricultural dollars.”
As food security concerns intensify around
the world, Lethbridge and District Exhibition sees
a bigger role for Lethbridge and its surrounding areas to play on the world stage thanks to its many agricultural advantages. “It’s our job to showcase how this area is a better investment opportunity [for agriculture] than anywhere in the country, or even North America, and this facility will help us do that,” Warkentin says. “We can attract provincial, national and international audiences, and help to redefine agriculture through a tourism lens.”
Lethbridge District and Exhibition plans to
bid on events that will bring inbound visitors and investors to Alberta, with an increased focus on international buying programs and international delegate programs into established agricultural events. Thanks to the new facility, there is an expected 30 per cent increase in economic impact annually, including an additional $90 million for the local economy.
Canada’s Premier Food Corridor (CPFC), a consortium of Economic Development professionals working to advance the agri-food sector in Southern Alberta, will also benefit from the opening of the new facility. CPFC recently received additional financial support of approximately $1.4 million
over the next three years from Prairies Economic Development Canada, Northern Regional Economic
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Development and five municipal partners. Thanks to the funding,
a new staff member will be attending events across Canada, and internationally to highlight the investment opportunity in Southern Alberta’s agri-food sector, and another new hire will be focused on local industry engagement, and business engagement and expansion.
“CPFC has dedicated staff to support agri-food companies, so if any companies are looking to expand into Alberta, there is support through our economic development offices,” says Young.
While Alberta’s agricultural and agri-food industry is very established, Young is certain there is plenty of space for new players.
“New investors and new companies looking to invest here in southern Alberta can be confident about the existing ecosystem of the supports that help companies thrive, such as supply chain logistics companies, distribution companies, and research and innovation institutions,” Young says. “This funding will help us be more proactive through marketing and workforce development, and the new Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre will be central to that.”
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THAT LEGACY OF HOSTING SHOWSTOPPING AGRICULTURAL
AND AGRI-FOOD EVENTS, AND HIGHLIGHTING THE STRENGTHS OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA, CONTINUES WITH A NEW 268,000-SQUARE-FOOT AGRI-FOOD HUB AND TRADE CENTRE THAT OPENED IN LETHBRIDGE
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