By Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter

“We are a Shining Star in the Province”; Chamber of Commerce Outlines Priorities

May 9, 2016 | 3:45 PM

LETHBRIDGE – The Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce is still optimistic about Southern Alberta’s economic situation.

Melody Garner, Chamber President, made a brief presentation to council on Monday, stating that agriculture, tourism, energy diversification and education are the biggest economic focusses right now.

“We need to continue to build and develop and grow that diversification. It is critical because we still have people working. Our unemployment rate is still holding fairly well. We are a shining star right now in the province.”

Garner also said that the Chamber endorses the City’s current Capital Improvement Program (CIP). However, the focus there needs to be on shovel-ready projects to get people working again as quickly as possible.

She explained that these and other areas will help Alberta become a leader as a whole and add economic value to individual communities.

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Other updates included some streamlining, which dropped the board down to 16 members and seven committees, an increasing need for advocacy in the region and some upcoming events.

Opportunity South is one of those events, taking place over October 13 and 14. The economic development conference will feature speakers from Alberta Agriculture, RBC’s Chief Economist, and possibly Premier Rachel Notley and Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Deron Bilous.

Garner says these annual meetings provide an opportunity to maintain a partnership with the City of Lethbridge, while also discussing priorities and concerns within the business community.