Medicine Hat city council approved budget increases for its economic development wing at the regular meeting on Sept. 18, 2023. (Photo Courtesy Kevin Kyle)

By Chris Brown

Economic development getting more money for staff and projects

Sep 18, 2023 | 10:48 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The city’s economic development department is getting a funding boost to hire new staff and another so staff can put three projects into action.

Medicine Hat Economic Development’s request for an additional $279,000 in the 2024 budget for 3.5 additional staff.

A presentation from director Selena McLean-Moore says a lack of capacity and funding for Invest Medicine Hat, previously in charge of economic development for the city, has strained relationships with support organizations and government partners.

McLean-Moore aims to have the staff in place in January.

The department also wants to launch three projects to support the Rural Renewal Program and the SE Alberta Economic Opportunities Strategy and Implementation Framework.

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The funding ask for the three projects totals $939,175. Of that, $565,000 would come from third-party grants which are already approved provided the city gives the other $374,175 requested.

The projects are Northern & Regional Development Program, Settlement, Integration and Language Project and Immigration-Focused Labour Market Program.