PROGRAMS
Turning concepts and ideas into actionable programs requires the combined efforts of many agencies and individuals. The initiatives listed below are put forward to provide a nucleus for discussion. Hopefully these conversation starters will lead to meaningful exchanges and help to catalyze further growth and development.
1. Southern Alberta Regional Economic Development Agency (SAREDA)
Several years ago I explored the idea of establishing an organization to aggregate and multiply the efforts of all the communities in Southern Alberta into an integrated business development agency called SABDA. With Southgrow already in that field there simply wasn’t enough support for a similar though distinct initiative. Now that Western Diversification has decided to invest substantial funding in this concept there is now a much greater chance of realizing world-class success. Within this context I have other programs to propose that will compliment this initiative. What makes this initiative unique is the potential inclusion of the Kainai and Piikani First Nations as full economic partners.
2. Southern Alberta Regional Airport Authority (SARAA)
Southern Alberta has an estimated market catchment of 350,000. To give our airport the greatest opportunity for performance and success we need to effectively serve as much of this population as possible. This means attracting carriers and support services to make it easy for people in our market area to book and travel to the destinations they seek most frequently. Otherwise, a combined ground and air strategy that enables passengers to go anywhere will help to build overall demand with more attractive options. This may benefit greatly from the implementation of a Regional Transportation Service.
3. Chinook Arch Capital
In conjunction with SAREDA and other Federal and Provincial programs, Chinook Arch Capital will be the General Partner managing a series of Limited Partner investment funds for seeding new business opportunities in the areas of agri-foods, nutraceuticals, aquaponics, aviation, equipment, health care, renewables, recyclables, materials, manufacturing, automation, logistics and handling, production and waste management. In particular, funding for commercializing academic research will be prioritized. This will address badly needed support for existing businesses with identified opportunities for growth.
4. Technology Incubation Facilities
Undertaken in conjunction with SAREDA and Chinook Arch Capital, support for new and growing enterprises in the targeted fields. The focus will be providing support in the form of in-kind services and facilities, consulting, business development and partnerships with both academia and industry. The industry partnerships will help with providing mentoring and marketing opportunity for founders. The academic partnerships will provide support for students who need practical experience in their chosen fields. This can include automation, materials, manufacturing, agri-tech, nutraceuticals and more.
5. Agri-Foods Co-production Facility
Following in the footsteps of Leduc, Alberta, with such assets as the Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator (APBI) and the Leduc Food Processing Development Centre (LFPDC), we can lead the way in agriculture, agri-business, and agri-food research and assistance to grow agri-business in Central Alberta.
The APBI is a multi-tenant enterprise which provides new companies and new business ventures the infrastructure and services to support and enhance the establishment and growth of their businesses.
The hosts LFPDC several fully equipped pilot plants and product development laboratories that are staffed with experienced food scientists, engineers and technologists.
6. Affordable Housing Solution
One of the largest costs to building affordable housing is the land and development cost charges. The surrounding municipalities offer affordable developed land suitable for building single and multi-residential facilities. Meanwhile, these small towns and villages would become more attractive to other businesses and investors as they begin to grow. If the door to solving Lethbridge’s affordable housing situation is to be found outside city limits, the key to that door may be a Regional Transportation Service.
7. Senior Care Facilities
There are certain times in life when individuals require more care than they can afford to provide themselves. One of those times is when we get older and our health begins to deteriorate to the point where we need assistance. We are fortunate to have many great small towns and cities around Southern Alberta where affordable land, most amenities and slow pace of life are preferred by folks with limited mobility and other issues. One issue that might help to promote this concept of distributing care around Southern Alberta would be the availability of a Regional Transportation Service.
8. Regional Transportation Service
Expanding the Lethbridge economy without negatively affecting the small city quality of life most people seem to enjoy, while also achieving quality of life improvements throughout the region, depends on improving accessibility. Towards this end, implementing a Regional Transport Service using vans and buses of various capacities would be a great step forward to supporting growth of the local and regional economy. Vancouver Island is among other regions around the world who has recently begun to implement such a solution. No doubt we can learn from their experience.
9. One Stop Business Portal
Modelled on the extremely successful BC One-Stop portal, this would provide a single point of contact for all services related to starting or growing a business in Lethbridge from market data to licensing to hiring and getting listed in the Business Directory. In addition to saving time and cost this program will eliminate duplication, red tape and frustration.
10. Racing at YQL
This is in lieu of a dedicated multi-motor sports facility, utilizing the shorter Runway 12/30 at the Lethbridge Airport for a few hours every Sunday during moderate weather. This would have minimal impact on aviation operations as longer Runway 05/23 is used most by air traffic and due to prevailing winds. So far as being an economic benefit, having this sport take place here will help to grow the regional economy by attracting motor sports business and visitors.