Stories

We are Medicine Hat

When our businesses thrive, our community thrives. Learn about our economic development programs, initiatives, and meet some of the local entrepreneurs in our city below!

The Economic Development team at a conference

Economic Development Team Highlights

Catch up with the Economic Development team's recent activity.

SAMI Rural Renewal Program

Employers can utilize the Rural Renewal Program to recruit and retain foreign nationals to live, work and settle.

Alberta Living Wage Network 2024 Rates

Find out how Medicine Hat's living wage compares among 21 communities in Alberta.

Attention on Retention

Learn about the Business Retention & Expansion – Industry Specific (BREIS) project.

OpporTOURnity group gathered in front of City Hall

'OpporTOURnity' highlights city's potential

Medicine Hat Economic Development showcases city to investment attraction professionals.

Stephanie from DYL Fashions opening the door to her business to welcome customers

Pre-loved Fashions with a Purpose

Downtown boutique business model turns pre-loved fashions into community support system.

Meet the MH Economic Development Team

We are excited to introduce our fully staffed Medicine Hat Economic Development team!

Our Shifting Demographics

What are our options as our population ages and our workforce demographics shift? Let's find out!

Housing Market Boost

What is the City doing to increase the availability of a diverse range of housing options?

Connections and Coffee

Local café works to bring the community and businesses together downtown.

For the Love of Animals

Two local veterinarians open full-service vet clinic in northwest Medicine Hat.

Stories Archive

White Horse Rider - Local artist and entrepreneur finds healing through crafting, gifting and storytelling.
Journey To Health - Local health and wellness entrepreneur celebrates over 31 years in business.
The Best Hour - Local entrepreneur opens downtown CrossFit gym.
Year-round Market - Dealership turned market promotes local vendors and artists.
Diversity in Super Steel - Multi-generational family business celebrates nearly 5-year milestone.
Golf Technology Expansion - Local golf course builds new facility on driving range to accommodate year round fun.
Community Appreciation - Local businessman excited for new developments and opportunities in the downtown core.
The Sweet Life - Downtown welcomes home-based cheesecake business
Reduce with Roots - Local entrepreneurs open Medicine Hat’s first refillery service.
Growing and Expanding - Local preschool celebrates five years in business and expands to larger facility.
Southlands Commons Breaks Ground - 10-year vacant lot breaks ground for new commercial development.
Salvadoran Cuisine - Downtown Medicine Hat welcomes authentic Salvadoran cuisine
Beautiful, Busy Bistro - Chef brings Italian and French-style cuisine to downtown Medicine Hat
2021 Shop YXH Winter Campaign Collaboration - Continuing to showcase local businesses in the YXH region
All Night Shopping - Annual downtown event invites the community to experience locally owned businesses
Perfect Place to Putt - Three local businessmen open indoor golf and entertainment centre in downtown Medicine Hat
Up and Away - Building permits recover to pre-pandemic levels
Commercial Growth - Mid-West Design & Construction celebrate 41 years in business in Medicine Hat
Diversity and Employment - Local company holds webinars that speak about the importance of diversity in the workplace
Software for Small Business - Local software developer company launches new service for small and mid-sized businesses
Taking a New Direction - Ice cream business expands and purchases a city-favoured food truck
Begin Anew - Arcade Plaza invites locally owned businesses to discover the opportunities downtown
New and Improved - Ethiopian Café finds bigger location to accommodate guests
Three Become One - Medicine Hat’s newest fleet-based business opens in Industrial area
Home Sweet Home - Local realtor finds success in home-selling two years into the industry
A Walk to Remember - 12-year downtown event continues to gain momentum
All Around the World, To Here - Chef chooses Medicine Hat to open his restaurant business
Awarded for Building Economic Strength - Invest Medicine Hat and the City of Medicine Hat win provincial award
New Home for Tulips - Garage-based floral business moves to storefront in downtown Medicine Hat
Incentive for Long-term Investment - Downtown public eatery renovates building with 2021 development incentive program
New Lease On Life - A recent move to Medicine Hat brings business opportunity for this couple
Local Distillery Doubles - Locally owned distillery expands to second location on Trans-Canada Highway
Ready To Expand - Medicine Hat-based digital asset mining corporation continues to evolve
Fueling The Future - Invest Medicine Hat announces Canada’s second Task Force to Advance Hydrogen Economy in Southeast Alberta
The View Finder - Badlands View, Medicine Hat’s fit new build, is officially open for business
Creative Reconstruction - Local business owner’s part of North Railway business revival
Ready for Take Off - Medicine Hat-based QinetiQ Target Systems is preparing to hire for 19 new positions
New Downtown Patio Experience - Downtown core sees new patio developments throughout the area
Spin Studio Success - Local business owner introduces first beat-based spin studio in the downtown core
Endless Entertainment - 12,000 sq. ft downtown space offers a variety of indoor activities
High Demand Housing - Our affordable city continues to grow near the end of a pandemic
Strong Community, Strong Business - Niche business continues to serve quality oils and balsamic
Filling The Gap - Downtown welcomes new hardware store to Waterfront District
Pop-up Garden - Downtown Medicine Hat welcomes Avara Garden Centre
Wash Your Car with Smart Technology - Medicine Hat welcomes Mint Smartwash to the community
Alleyway Artisan Village - Downtown Medicine Hat welcomes its first artisan village
Safety First - Local entrepreneur invents product to minimize ear pain while wearing a mask
Alberta's Newest Film Friendly Location - Crowsnest Films shoot three commercials for connectFirst Credit Union
Play Ball - Athletic Baseball Park to receive $3M in upgrades thanks to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) and the Alberta Government
Ice Cream For A Cause - Handcrafted ice cream producer donates proceeds to summer camps for kids
Ready To Grow - Local business finds niche in custom Charcuterie boards for at-home dining experiences
Making The Move - Local real estate agency looks to attract remote workers to Medicine Hat
The Sky Is The Limit - Defdrones using drone and thermal technology to support major industry
Fitness For All - F45 adapts their fees and services to meet the needs of the community
Border Patrol To Barista - The Gaslight Plaza welcomes The Copper Leaf Cafe downtown Medicine Hat
Dill-icious and Dairy Free - Medicine Hat couple creates community buzz with vegan dill dip
Fresh Start - Downtown Medicine Hat welcomes Country Crumbs Cafe and Bakery
Riverfront Living - NewRock Development announces plans for ‘The Alto’ high-rise
Creative To the Core - Downtown Medicine Hat welcomes Avance Creative
What's Up Downtown - Downtown Medicine Hat saw a number of businesses open amid the pandemic
Digitizing The Community - Partnering to support local businesses unlock the prosperity of the internet
Lakeside Living - Medicine Hat welcomes Coulee Ridge home construction
Forward Thinking - Invest Medicine Hat introduces land incentives to spark home construction
Restoring Heirloom Furniture - Sewline Upholstery celebrates their 20th anniversary in business.
One-of-a-kind Pottery - The Clay Trade takes the leap online.
Hand Crafted Chocolate - Annegret’s brings the taste of European chocolate to Canada’s sunniest city.
Design Forward Furniture - Local wood maker branches out on his own and creates design-conscious furniture for customers in Southeast Alberta and beyond.
Miller Time - Medicine Hat was once a major milling centre for Western Canada. Could it be again?
Beefing Up Operations - Medicine Hat Meat Traders plans to triple size of facility.
Outstanding In The Field - Medicine Hat College welcomes a new program for sustainable agriculture.
Growing Like a Mushroom - Downtown Medicine Hat welcomes The Kommon.
Botanicals Take Root - Home-based business opens downtown Medicine Hat.
Redcliff Bakery Expands Downtown - Redcliff Bakery opens second location downtown Medicine Hat.
Welcome to your New Backyard - Downtown Medicine Hat welcomes its first outdoor patio and pub situated in between two heritage buildings.
Business is Sweet for Local Baker - Local entrepreneur and baker, completing renovation in her garage for her business.
Tech Innovation Emerging Amidst Challenging Times - Local entrepreneur set to launch mobile app with the help from ‘Skip the Dishes’ co-founder.
Big Business with Big Heart - Auto-Star Compusystems celebrates 38 years in business in Medicine Hat.
Canadian Home Builders Association - The Medicine Hat Chapter of the Canadian Home Builders Association exists to advocate for local builders and increase cohesion and collaboration among local builders.
Economic Growth Potential - Local business owner sees notable economic growth and potential in Medicine Hat.
A Whole New World For Hospitality - Medicine Hat Accommodation Association adapting to new COVID norms.
When It Comes To Helping, Our Region Has No Borders - Local companies reach out and band together to help neighbouring communities with key donations.
Next Generation Economic Development - The evolution of Economic Development has occurred in relation to who has held the responsibility for its practice and as well for the approaches that have been used in its application.
Kicking the Learning Curve to the Curb - Local kickboxer pivoting online to keep the business alive through COVID.
A Business Love Offensive - Local bakery pulling out all the stops to remain open and profitable during COVID.
There's Something About Downtown - Local bike shop, Gravity Sports, renovates exterior downtown building with incentive program.
What Does It Really Take To Create Economic Growth - Economies are complex and the responsibility for economic growth is often placed on governments – but the truth is there are many who impact whether an economy will grow.
From Thailand To Medicine Hat - The Thai Orchid Room celebrates over 20 years in Southern Alberta.
Surgical Service At Home - Medicine Hat welcomes a new dental surgical centre.
Taking Action For Business - The goal is to ensure Southeast Alberta is providing a competitive business environment where new and existing businesses have the support they need to succeed and grow.
Creating An Ideal Economic Environment - What does it take to create the ideal business environment? While a magic potion for perfection has yet to be invented, there are key ideas and strategies you can put in place to start cultivating a thriving business and investor attractive environment.
Rosey Start-Up - Local entrepreneur, Beth Lewis finds passion in handcrafting Western accessories and clothing.
Building In - Delanie Hanna drove past the little brown house on Ross Street a few times. She was looking for a creative project and knew the property had potential.
Farm To Flask - Medicine Hat welcomes its first craft distillery.
The Search For A City - With their heart set on establishing a chiropractic practice in a small Alberta city, Justin and Milessa Gauthier set out on an epic road trip, visiting locations across southern Alberta. In the end, Medicine Hat’s friendly folks, good vibes and small-town charm won them over.
Getting Creative - A new, collaborative workspace for Medicine Hat’s creative professionals.
Latin Infusion - Downtown welcomes Izote Latin Cocina, Medicine Hat’s first, Salvadoran restaurant.
Legal Eagles - Stringam LLP cut the ribbon on their new law office on May 23, 2019.
Sunny Start - Physiotherapy graduates are building healthcare careers in Canada’s sunniest city.
Home of the Caesar - Caesar Sundays on sunny patios sparked a new business for Katie and Shaun Bassett.
Green Thumb - Big Marble Farms will add 10 acres of vegetable greenhouse and a six-megawatt (MW) co-generation power plant to their Medicine Hat greenhouse and packhouse operations.