Our Projects

ALBERTA SOUTHWEST REGIONAL ALLIANCE

Technology & Innovation

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.

Energizing Agricultural Transformation (EAT)

Agriculture and agri-food continue to ‘feed’ the Canadian economy. In 2018, it contributed over $110 Billion to the GDP, making Canada one of the top ag producers in the world.

Alberta Southwest Regional Alliance (AlbertaSW) recognizes that while agriculture is a known economic engine, relatively little is known about what categories of agriculture and agri-food exist in the southwest quadrant of the province. With an eye on the future, the AlbertaSW executive wants to determine if there are ways to support existing agri-business while exploring new innovative agricultural trends and trade opportunities. Explore the latest updates here.

Manufacturing, Energy, Construction, Ag Processing (MECAP)

The MECAP project brings together industry influencers and innovators to participate in “think tank” sessions to identify trends, labour market needs, supply chain issues and opportunities.

Southern Alberta Alternative Energy Partnership (SAAEP)

The SAAEP Partnership started in 2006 and is one of our longest running projects. It consists of three economic development organizations; SouthGrow, Economic Development Lethbridge, and Alberta SouthWest. Together, this group represents 37 municipalities in the south central region of the province.

The main objective of this partnership is to nurture and facilitate our region's growth as an alternative energy provider, while at the same time introducing methods that will allow individuals and organizations who live here to become more self-sufficient energy users. The three streams of alternative energy are solar, wind and bio-energy (including ethanol, biodiesel and biomass).

Wind energy and investment has been present in the Region for 25+ years and our Counties and Municipal Districts are familiar with this investment. Recently, activity has increased, reflecting increased interest in solar projects and bio-energy.

Peaks to Prairies EV Charging Network

Multiple organizations came together to develop and grow a regional electric vehicle charging station network, connecting communites south of Calgary to bolster the local economy.

Started in 2016 and completed in 2019, three southern Alberta Regional Economic Development Alliances (REDAs) along with the City of Calgary and City of Lethbridge collaborated to develop a regional electric vehicle charging station network. By the end of 2019 20 fast charging/Level 2 stations were installed throughout the region.

This network connects communities south of Calgary and compliments an initiative in the East Kootenays, called Accelerate Kootenays, which is deploying 53 charging stations throughout the East and West Kootenays.

Regional Innovation Network of Southern Alberta (RINSA)

Formed in 2011, this collaborative partnership looks to accelerate growth of small & medium sized enterprises bringing new products or processes to market. The focus of most clients are innovation and technology. RINSA uses the Alberta Innovation Network to collaborate with other provincial networks.