Economic Development Lethbridge and the Great Falls Development Alliance will sign an MOU on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo supplied by Economic Development Lethbridge)

By Justin Goulet

Economic Development Lethbridge highlights partnership with cross-border group

May 9, 2024 | 11:14 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL) is hosting an organization from across the border this week.

EDL has been touring members of the Great Falls Development Alliance (GFDA) around southern Alberta and discussing opportunities to boost the food, agriculture, bioprocessing and energy industry sectors.

On Friday, May 10, 2024, EDL and the GFDA will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU). Lethbridge and Great Falls, Montana are located about 250 kilometres apart. Officials say some of the motivating factors in forming the partnership include Canada and the United States being each other’s largest international trading partners and Canada is the most prominent international trade partner with the state of Montana.

“We’re excited to sign this MOU with Great Falls Development Alliance and learn some of the strategies they incorporate for investment, business retention, and innovation, “ says CEO of EDL Trevor Lewington.

“The timing of the agreement between us and our friends in Great Falls,taking place during International Economic Development Week is an example of how networking and advocacy can play a big part in the work we do to support the region.”

Week-in-review: Property taxes, training doctors and changes to WestJet service

May 18, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: May 17, 2024

May 17, 2024

Week-in-review: A spring storm, Whoop-Up Days entertainment and housing for seniors

May 11, 2024

As part of the MOU, both EDL and the GFDA agree too:

• Cross-border visits to Great Falls and Lethbridge twice per year to explore each other’s communities, visit businesses, learn from each other’s successful policies, and promote local resources and the benefits of doing business in each region.
• Host a promotional event at an agreed upon industry trade show to highlight the partnership and benefits of doing business in the Lethbridge-Great Falls corridor.
• Promote the partnership in each organization’s respective media strategies with shared letterhead.
• Encourage the participation and cooperation of other nonprofits in their regions, including but not limited to Tourism Lethbridge and Great Falls Tourism, and each community’s Chamber of Commerce.

“The Great Falls Development Alliance is excited to partner with [EDL] on one of the first cross-border partnerships between economic development organizations in the United States and Canada,” says GFDA president and CEO Brett Doney.

“With this [MOU] between our two organizations, we hope to better assist companies who currently do business in both of our communities and those companies who want to explore new markets. We will also forge ahead with co-marketing opportunities of the Great Falls-Lethbridge corridor as an attractive region to start, grow or relocate a business.”

The MOU between the two organizations will be signed at 9:30 a.m. on Friday at Tecconnect in north Lethbridge.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now

–

If you have a news tip, question or concern, please email Lethbridge.Newsroom@Pattisonmedia.com.