Our Projects

ALBERTA SOUTHWEST REGIONAL ALLIANCE

Professional Affiliations & Awards

Alberta SouthWest leads initiatives to grow the region’s economy with a focus on tourism, energy opportunities, value-added agri-processing, manufacturing, and technology innovation. For over two decades, Alberta SouthWest communities and partner organizations have achieved award-winning success and recognition. We welcome you to look at some of our key initiatives in southern Alberta.

A colourful map of Alberta shows the boundaries of the province's REDA, with Alberta SouthWest in the bottom left.

Alberta’s Regional Economic Development Alliances (REDAs)

Alberta SouthWest has landscapes, industry, people, and resources that are attractive to a new generation of wealth creators interested in sustainable economic and community development.

AlbertaSW is one of 9 REDAs in Alberta, creating a “network of networks”. Aligned with regional offices of Alberta Jobs, Economy and Innovation, the regions are an efficient and effective mechanism to support municipal collaboration as well as cross-ministry information-sharing and implementation of provincial programs. "Success for one is success for all."

✰ 2004 Premier’s Award of Excellence

Accredited Economic Development Organization

AlbertaSW is one of only 5 International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Accredited Economic Development Organizations (AEDOs) in Canada and 72 world-wide.
The first was Greater Halifax Partnership, followed by City of Hamilton Economic Development. AlbertaSW is the third.
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership is the fourth, Brampton is the fifth.AlbertaSW was accredited in October 2018 and has met standards to be formally re-accredited in 2022.

Economic Development Professional Associations

Our professional associations offer the opportunity to highlight innovative and effective work.
EDOs in AlbertaSW are members of EDA and are recognized for award-winning projects and personal achievements.

2022: Brady Schnell-Claresholm-Economic Developer of the Year
2021: Marie Everts- Outstanding Young Professional
Bev Thornton represents the AlbertaSW region and has received some special recognitions:
2023: Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for leadership in sustainable economic development and community service.
2018: EDA President’s Award
2018: Appointed to IEDC Accreditation Committee
2017: IEDC Jeffrey A. Finkle Organizational Leadership Award; first Canadian recipient
2014-2019: EDA Board member; President 2017-2018
2013: EDA Economic Developer of the Year