- Economy of Lethbridge
The economy of Lethbridge is central to the commercial, distribution, financial and industrial sectors of the southern
Alberta economy (although Medicine Hat plays a significant role in southeastern Alberta).Lethbridge has a trading area population of 250,000 (including parts ofBritish Columbia andMontana ). The city was founded in 1885 as a result of localcoal mining and later was buoyed by local farming andranching . Toward the end of the twentieth century, the local economy started diversifying by focusing more on service-based industries.Economic development
In 2004, the municipal government organised "Economic Development Lethbridge", a body responsible for the promotion and development of the city's commercial interests. Also in that year, the city joined in a partnership with 24 other local communities to create an economic development alliance called "SouthGrow", representing a population of over 140,000.
In 2006, Economic Development Lethbridge partnered with SouthGrow Regional Initiativeand "Alberta SouthWest Regional Alliance" to create the "Southern Alberta Alternative Energy Partnership". This partnership is responsible for the development and attraction of alternative energy business, including
wind power ,solar power andbiofuel .Head offices
Lethbridge has been the home of several national companies over the years. From its founding in 1935, Canadian Freightways was based in Lethbridge until moving its operations to
Calgary in 1948; its call centre remains in Lethbridge. Taco Time Canada was based in the city from 1978–1995 before moving to Calgary. Minute Muffler, which began in 1969, is based out of Lethbridge. Internationalshipping company H & R Transport has been based in the city since 1955. Braman Furniture, which also has locations inManitoba andOntario , has been headquartered in Lethbridge since 1991.Industry sectors
Traditionally, Lethbridge's economy has been agriculture based; however, as the city has grown in recent years, its economy has become more diversified. As shown below, half of the city's industry—at least in 2001—was in the health, education, retail and hospitality sectors and the top five employers were government based.
According to the 2001 federal census [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4802012&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=lethbridge&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=48&B1=All Lethbridge Community Profile] , Statistics Canada. 2002. 2001 Community Profiles. Released 27 June 2002. Last modified: 2005-11-30. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 93F0053XIE] , Lethbridge industry sectors make up the following shares of the economy:
* Health and education services: 21%
* Wholesale and retail trade: 17%
* Leisure, hospitality and food services: 13%
* Primary and construction: 10%
* Manufacturing: 10%
* Professional and business services: 10%
* Public administration: 5%
* Transportation and warehousing: 5%
* Finance and insurance: 3%
* Other: 6%Government
Lethbridge is the headquarters for County of Lethbridge, and the City of Lethbridge is the largest municipal government south of Calgary. In addition, several provincial government agencies are located in the city.
Health
The local health region,
Chinook Health , is based in Lethbridge and oversees the operation of 12 hospitals, 15 community health centres, and 5 continuing care facilities in 14 communities. It also employs more people in Lethbridge than any other single organization, including 3,500 staff and 200 physicians.Education
Two post-secondary institutions —
University of Lethbridge andLethbridge College — are located here and provide a combined workforce of roughly 3,000 persons. In addition, the Kainai-basedRed Crow Community College also has a campus in the city.Retail and hospitality
Lethbridge's regional prominence as a service providers has resulted in the establishment of the city as a retail and hospitality centre. Three shopping malls provide 175 retail spaces. Combined with three power centres, they accommodate nearly 30 major national and international retailers. [ [http://www.chooselethbridge.ca/choosebusiness/retailtrade_2.jpgMajor Lethbridge Retailers] , Economic Development Lethbridge. Accessed
15 December 2006 .] In addition, 16 major hotel/motel facilities exist in Lethbridge and provide a total of over 1,346 rooms, which increase by nearly 1,000 during the summer when the university and college open their dorms for visitor occupancy. The city also has 145 restaurants, 67 fast food outlets, and 63 bars and lounges. [ [http://www.chooselethbridge.ca/choosebusiness/tourism_1.jpgTourism and Hospitality Information] , Economic Development Lethbridge. Accessed15 December 2006 .]Manufacturing
Although the manufacturing sector makes up only 10% of the city's total economy, it accounts for more than $1.2 billion in sales annually and has a totalpayroll of over $185 million for roughly 4,800 employees. The more than 100 firms occupy over 380,902 m² (4.1 million square feet) of floor and office space in six industrial and business parks. Areas of manufacturing include the following: [ [http://www.chooselethbridge.ca/media/publication_2.pdf Lethbridge Manufacturing Directory, 2005–2006] , Economic Development Lethbridge]
*Agricultural equipment
*Animal feeds
*Concrete products
*Construction materials
*Fabricated metal
*Foods and beverages
*Furniture
*Machining
*Manufactured housing
*Non-metallic mineral products
*Plastics
*Heating and ventilation products
*Transportation equipmentTop ten employers
In 2005, the top ten employers in Lethbridge were as follows [ [http://www.chooselethbridge.ca/choosebusiness/workforce_6.jpgMajor employers of Lethbridge - 2005] , Economic Development Lethbridge, accessed 2 August 2006] :
*
Chinook Health (includingChinook Regional Hospital ): 1,900
*University of Lethbridge : 1,798
* City of Lethbridge: 1,200
* Lethbridge School District: 975
*Lethbridge College : 948
* Alberta Government offices: 804
*Convergys : 700
*Sun Life : 500
* Holy Spirit School Division: 500
* Canada Safeway: 489Regional services
Lethbridge serves as a hub for commercial activity in the region, which includes several satellite communities. It provides many services and amenities for the region. Much of the region's transportation needs are provided by or concentrated in or near the city including Greyhound service, convergence of four provincial highways, rail service and an airport. Other than the
Red Crow Community College , which has a campus in Lethbridge, the only post-secondary education south of Calgary and west ofMedicine Hat is provided by Lethbridge and consists of the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge Community College.The city provides direct services to surrounding communities. In 2004, the police services of Lethbridge and Coaldale combined to form the
Lethbridge Regional Police Service . [ [http://www.lethbridgepolice.ca/polcomsn.html Police Commission] , Lethbridge Regional Police Service. Accessed24 December 2006 .] The city provides municipal water to the nearby towns of Coaldale and Coalhurst and the hamlets of Diamond City, Iron Springs, Shaughnessy and Turin. [cite news|title = Pipeline Project Flows Along|publisher = Sunny South News|date = 2002-03-14] The city's Public Safety Communications Centre provides fire and ambulance dispatching services for theCounty of Lethbridge . [cite news|title = Council approves new dispatching agreement |publisher = Lethbridge Herald | pages = A5 |date =2007-08-22 ]Lethbridge provides jobs for up to 80,000 people who commute to the city from a radius of 100 km. [http://www.chooselethbridge.ca/media/publication_1.pdf Business Investment Profile 2005/2006] , Economic Development Lethbridge. 2005. Accessed 7 November 2006.] It provides numerous processing facilities for nearby agricultural producers and a dozen trucking firms for commercial shipping needs. [http://lethbridgechamber.com/community.php Community Profile] , Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce. Accessed
24 December 2006 .]Notes
External links
* [http://www.chooselethbridge.ca/ Economic Development Lethbridge]
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