Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL) has announced the launch of an enhanced SCINET Scientific Software Framework developed by tecconnect client OBACS Corporation. EDL also introduced API Labs Inc. and FailProof Technologies Inc. as two additional commercialization client companies who located to tecconnect – An Alberta centre for new commerce in the first quarter of 2013, bringing the centre to 75 per cent of its leased space capacity. 

The Board of Directors for Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL) is pleased to announce the 2013 board as confirmed at the Annual General Meeting held on March 20.

The organization would like to welcome new Board President and Chair, Walter Kalkan, entrepreneur and director of business development for an international transportation firm.

The Newcomers' Network is an annual event that brings immigrants face-to-face with specific sectors of our community to encourage inclusion at all levels. This year, hosting agency Lethbridge Family Services – Immigrant Services is partnering with the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce to focus the workshop on immigrants in the workplace.

Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL) has launched a marketing initiative designed to raise community awareness of the quality and quantity of business success in the Lethbridge region. Together with campaign and media partners, EDL marked the occasion with a brief ceremony and website launch.

The Board of Directors of both the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and
Economic Development Lethbridge toured the trade and science facilities of Lethbridge College and the University of Lethbridge respectively today. Following the tours, the Boards held a joint meeting and have agreed to collectively support the proposed facilities at both institutions.

During the Economic Developers Association of Canada's (EDAC) 44th National Economic Development Conference, Economic Development Lethbridge was recognized for its exceptional project. Winning the 2012 EDAC/RBC Financial Group Economic Development Achievement of The Year Award with their submission entitled "tecconnect - An Alberta Entre for New Commerce." Congratulations Economic Development Lethbridge!

Lethbridge's many strengths and opportunities–including a diversified economy, rich arts and cultural heritage, strong public sector leadership and industry strength–will once again be the topics of discussion when representatives from 18 city organizations travel to Edmonton during the third week of October to meet with Government of Alberta elected officials and their staff teams.

Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL) recently announced that tecconnect , an Alberta centre for new commerce, has exceeded its first-year business intake goals with the recent addition of four more companies to the centre.

EDL introduced GrowTEC (Grow The Energy Circle) and GranDuke Geomatics Ltd. as the fifth and sixth commercialization client companies who are using the facility to move their business concepts and plans forward. Farmers Edge Precision Consulting Inc. and Intermap Technologies Corp. have also moved into tecconnect as commercial tenants to serve their business needs in Southern Alberta.

From June 25-27, Paradise Canyon Golf Resort will host the 35th annual Western Canadian Greek Invitational Golf Tournament (WCGICT). Approximately 100 participants are expected to take part in this event which draws golfers from across Western Canada and California.

The tournament began in 1977 as a casual get-together by businessmen and professionals of Greek origin who wanted to entertain their business associates and friends. There were reportedly 16 players at that first tournament and it has been growing ever since.

Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL) is calling any and all entrepreneurs to join an exciting opportunity to forge new policy and direction in Canada. EDL is proud to announce that it is a Founding Community Member of Startup Canada–Canada's first-ever, entrepreneur-led, national movement to enhance the nation's competitiveness and prosperity by supporting and celebrating Canadian entrepreneurship.

Starting next week, public consultation will begin on the Lethbridge Energy Centre, a potential natural gas-fired generation facility that is planned for the Sherring Business & Industrial Park in north Lethbridge. Economic Development Lethbridge is supporting the efforts of APG, part of an international private-sector energy group, in gathering community input regarding the proposed plant. Once regulatory approvals are received and construction is complete, the Lethbridge Energy Centre will generate clean and reliable electricity that will be distributed in the provincial grid, increasing the stability of the grid and complimenting renewable power generation in southern Alberta.

April 12 the Economic Developers Association of Alberta (EDA) presented its annual Awards of Excellence during the Minister's Dinner & Awards Banquet at the Delta Kananaskis Lodge. These awards honour communities and individuals for excellence in business attraction, retention, expansion and marketing.

Transit service for employees is important for business and industry in attracting and retaining a reliable labour force. Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL) would like to hear from industrial businesses in order to assess the need and demand for a non-traditional industry-focused transit service.

The Board of Directors for Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL) is pleased to announce the 2012 board as confirmed at the annual general meeting held on March 21.

The organization would like to welcome new board president and chair Cheryl Meheden, Sports & Recreation Sector representative. Meheden says, "The 2012-2014 business plan, Renew Innovate Grow, is designed for the implementation of the next phase of successful projects such as the award-winning Mind Blowing Facts campaign, Team Lethbridge and tecconnect–An Alberta Centre for new commerce. As a member of the board for the past three years, Meheden has demonstrated her commitment to developing and supporting economic strategy.

Today Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL) announced the first four tecconnect clients and also thanked and acknowledged the new partners who have supported the operations of this project. EDL introduced Internet Solutions Group, OBACS Corporation, Bulls Eye Consulting and Isis Geomatics Inc. as the four commercialization client companies who are using the facility to move their business concepts and plans forward. Pengrowth Energy Corporation, an oil and gas Calgary-based company has also moved into tecconnect as a commercial tenant to serve their business in southern Alberta.

Overall, EDL is focused on using tecconnect–An Alberta centre for new commerce to attract new business and create opportunities for further business within our region. "These are exactly the type of clients we envisioned for the centre when we started down this path in 2008," said CEO Cheryl Dick. "They are primarily focused on using technology platforms to create knowledge, industry, companies and jobs. We look forward to seeing the new clients expand, develop and become leaders of success in this region."

With growing interest towards helping young entrepreneurs succeed in the high-tech industry, EDL has the honour of working with many industry partners from the city and region. These business leaders make a contribution every day through strategic decision-making and quality leadership and EDL was pleased to acknowledge a dynamic group of private sector companies at the event. These partners include BlackBridge Geomatics, Cummins Western Canada, David H. Jensen (Edward Jones), North & Company Law Offices, Ring Container Technologies and Simplex Grinnell.

"On behalf of the EDL board I would like to extend my appreciation to all of the partners who have supported this important project," adds EDL Board Chair and tecconnect partner David Jensen. "The support of the community will help to drive new business development and expansion, ensuring balanced growth and a healthy future for our city and region."

The City of Lethbridge has been visionary in the construction of this facility. As a result of their capital investment, EDL has been able to create this facility and an attractive framework for entrepreneurs in high-tech fields to develop their products and business models into viable companies. "It's wonderful to see this whole project coming together after all the hard work that has gone into it," said Lethbridge Deputy Mayor Liz Iwaskiw.

tecconnect is a new facility in Lethbridge that is designed to attract, incubate and develop technology companies through commercialization of products and services. The centre is intended to support expansion of the provincial Information Communications Technology (ICT) sector, diversify the area economy and provide entrepreneurial and employment opportunities in southern Alberta.