Medicine Hat Economic Development

06/01/2026

Canada's National Culinary Tourism Alliance is working to position Canada as a globally recognized, leading culinary and agritourism destination. Part of that is the National Culinary and Agritourism Action Plan 2025-2030 strategy, which outlines a plan to establish Canada as one of the world's premier culinary tourism destinations.

In Medicine Hat, this effort is being led by Tourism Medicine Hat, which has served a leadership role in both product and destination development for our city.

If you would like to read the strategy in full, click here: https://bit.ly/4wIiloK

05/29/2026

Innovation in agriculture is alive and well in Medicine Hat. Big Marble Farms combines cutting-edge technology with traditional farming values to produce fresh vegetables year-round for Western Canadian families.

The operation leverages Medicine Hat's natural gas resources to power generators that capture waste heat for greenhouse warming. Their burners produce CO2 as a byproduct, which the plants consume, creating a near carbon-neutral operation for much of the year. A combined heat and power system generates up to 13 megawatts, with excess electricity feeding back into the city grid.

From AI-powered camera systems that track plant growth and detect issues early, to robotics that streamline operations, Big Marble demonstrates how local producers are using technology to make fresh, affordable food more accessible to Canadian consumers. This is the kind of agricultural innovation that strengthens our regional economy and showcases Medicine Hat as a place where businesses can leverage local advantages to compete and grow.

Read more about this story, including some great quotes from their CEO Ryan Cramer, on the National Post's website.

05/28/2026

There's only one week left to sign-up for this informative webinar! Do you want to expand your product or service into international markets but not sure where or how to start? Join Medicine Hat Economic Development on June 4, 2026, from 12 - 1 p.m., for our Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) information webinar. This session is designed for growth-stage companies looking to confidently pursue global expansion with the right tools and expert guidance.

During the webinar, you'll learn:
○ What the Trade Accelerator Program is and how it works
○ Who TAP is designed for and what makes a strong applicant
○ What participants gain, including hands-on coaching and a customized export plan
○ What to expect from the upcoming cohort experience

We'll also be opening applications for the Medicine Hat Trade Accelerator Program September cohort, supporting export-ready businesses in our region looking to diversify markets and scale internationally.

Whether you're planning your first international expansion or refining an existing global strategy, this webinar will help you determine if TAP is the right next step for your business.

Sign up here: https://bit.ly/4tIFAxm

05/26/2026

An exciting opportunity is available for graduating Grade 12 students in the Medicine Hat Public School Division who are planning to continue their education full-time at the post-secondary level!

Thanks to S3 Group Ltd. for supporting young leaders in our community.

Apply by May 30th: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZfteFa21x6iA2NqVCMqhlTfmGpWCLTW5aQs1YbH8HTY8w9w/viewform

⭐️ Apply online today – deadline is May 30! ⭐️

The S3 Group Leadership Bursary is awarded to a graduating student in a region where S3 Group operates who displays exemplary leadership among their peers.

We care more about the mark you're making on the world than the marks on your report card.

Learn more and apply online now: https://forms.gle/hx9NXehAk4GxgY8b7

05/25/2026

Do you operate a farm or food/beverage-related production facility that allows members of the general public to participate, tour or experience what you offer? If so, this survey is for you: https://bit.ly/4dVxRq1

Quantifying the size and characteristics of Canada's agritourism industry is a key part of how a case for intentional investment and cooperation to support agritourism businesses and communities that depend on these activities.

Agritourism activities include agriculture-related education, entertainment, historical or cultural programming, and accommodation-related or recreational activities. Think you-pick operations, farm markets, and the production of food and beverages that allow or invite members of the general public to observe or participate in the activity.

The survey is delivered through a partnership between the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council, Tourism HR Canada, and Food Processing Skills Canada.

05/23/2026

Is there anything you would add to this hierarchy? Enabling economic development involves the complex interplay of a number of interdependent factors. It's only when development operates with this in mind, when these factors are met in sequence, that prosperity occurs.

At Medicine Hat Economic Development, we're driving Southeast Alberta's prosperity with a bold, strategic approach that unites local organizations and municipalities. Our comprehensive framework paves the way for a resilient economy, and we're leading the charge toward long-term growth.

While it's not - nor is it meant to be - an exhaustive list of every facet of economic development, it serves as a helpful guide and reminder of what (and how) we can contribute.

Share your insights as we continue to shape an even stronger future for our region by letting us know what you would add to (or remove from) this hierarchy.

05/22/2026

OpporTOURnity Medicine Hat connected top candidates with leading local employers across aerospace, defence, petrochemical manufacturing, and municipal government sectors while showcasing what makes our city an attractive place to live and work.

Following months of preparation and a broad recruitment campaign, selected participants arrived in Medicine Hat for an experience that included networking at Whiskey District, a guided tour aboard the Sunshine Trolley, employer presentations at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre, and facility tours at QinetiQ Target Systems - Canada, Landing Zones Canada, CF Industries, and Methanex Corporation.

Initiatives like this are essential to our workforce development efforts and help both the City of Medicine Hat and leading local companies secure the high-caliber talent they need to thrive.

Read our latest blog to learn more about the event and what both the candidates and employers thought of the initiative: https://www.medicinehat.ca/news/posts/mhed-opportournity-highlights-career-opportunities-and-community-connections/

Engineers from across Canada were welcomed for Opportunity Medicine Hat: Talent Edition—an immersive workforce attraction initiative connecting young talent with local employers

05/20/2026

The Downtown Voice has officially launched its very first newsletter and map!

Discover upcoming events, and start planning how you’ll shop, dine, and explore downtown Medicine Hat.

If you don't already know, the Downtown Voice is a business-led collective dedicated to strengthening our downtown through connection, collaboration, and solution-focused advocacy, all while supporting the vibrant experiences that keep people coming back again and again.

Check out the May/June Edition https://7riverstradingco.ca/pages/map-of-downtown

05/14/2026

Want to expand your product or service into international markets but not sure where or how to start? Join Medicine Hat Economic Development on June 4, 2026, from 12 - 1 p.m., for our Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) information webinar. This session is designed for growth-stage companies looking to confidently pursue global expansion with the right tools and expert guidance.

During the webinar, you'll learn:
○ What the Trade Accelerator Program is and how it works
○ Who TAP is designed for and what makes a strong applicant
○ What participants gain, including hands-on coaching and a customized export plan
○ What to expect from the upcoming cohort experience

We'll also be opening applications for the Medicine Hat Trade Accelerator Program September cohort, supporting export-ready businesses in our region looking to diversify markets and scale internationally.

Whether you're planning your first international expansion or refining an existing global strategy, this webinar will help you determine if TAP is the right next step for your business.

Sign up here: https://bit.ly/4tIFAxm

05/13/2026

Join REDI Enterprises Society on May 21st, in partnership with the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce, for a time of connection and collaboration.

By attending you will have the opportunity to

✅ Meet the REDI team
✅ Network with local businesses
✅ Learn more about programs & services

RSVP by May 19th and join the conversation - https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/ap/Events/Register/4lF9ZB0uRCMCx

Join us for an engaging and meaningful afternoon at REDI Enterprises, in partnership with the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce.