Doing Business in SouthGrow

A number of regional economic development agencies exist in the region and assist individuals and businesses.  These agencies include:

• Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs).  CFDCs deliver a variety of services ranging from technical and advisory services, start-up and small business loans, and community economic development planning.  There are two CFDC offices in the SouthGrow Region (Taber and Lethbridge).
• Alberta Women Enterpreneurs (AWE) provides women entrepreneurs with advisory service, training, networking opportunities, business loans and referrals to complementary services.
• The Business Link is a partnership of the federal and provincial governments that provide a single, seamless gateway for business development.
• Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) offers financing, business loans, consulting and venture capital to businesses SME (small and medium sized enterprises).
• Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) is a provincial crown corporation with a private sector Board of Directors that provides farmers, agribusinesses and other small businesses loans, crop insurance and farm income disaster assistance.
• Farm Credit Corporation (FCC) is Canada's largest provider of business and financial services to farms and agribusiness.

There are a number of municipal economic development offices in the area:

• Town of Cardston Economic Development Office
• Economic Development Lethbridge
• Picture Butte Economic Development Initiative
• Coaldale Development Economic Development Committee
• Coalhurst Economic Development Committee
• Raymond Economic Development and Tourism Committee
• Town of Taber Economic Development Office
• Vulcan Business Development Society
• County of Warner Regional Economic Development Committee

In addition, there are a number of industry organizations in the region:

• Chinook Country Tourist Association
• Industrial Association of Southern Alberta

There are many Chamber of Commerce organizations and Business Associations in the SouthGrow Region as well:

• Cardston and District Chamber of Commerce
• Claresholm Chamber of Commerce
• Coaldale and District Chamber of Commerce
• Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce
• Milk River Business Association
• Picture Butte and District Chamber of Commerce
• Raymond and District Chamber of Commerce
• Taber and District Chamber of Commerce
• Vulcan Chamber of Commerce
• The Warner Chamber of Commerce

Other agencies/organizations that are often of interest for business and investment are:

• Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development
• Alberta Agriculture Research Institute (AARI)
• Alberta-Canada
• Alberta First
• Agriculture and Food Council
• Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
• Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) Technology Commercialization Program 
• Alberta Municipal Affair
• Alberta Research Council
• AVAC
• Canadian Business Services for Entreprenerus
• Food Processing Development Centre
• Innovation Alberta
• Strategis: Canada's Business and Consumer Site
• Western Economic Diversification