State of the Industry report released on manufacturing in Southeast Alberta

Medicine Hat – Medicine Hat Economic Development (MHED) has released the second of two industry-specific business retention and expansion studies (BREIS), focusing on the manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution industries in Southeast Alberta.

Launched in early 2024, the BREIS Manufacturing program aimed to benchmark the current state of the sector, identify regional challenges and opportunities, and provide data-driven recommendations to support future growth. The resulting report, "State of the Industry: Manufacturing in Southeast Alberta," offers vital insights for business leaders, policymakers, and community stakeholders. 

“State of the Industry: Manufacturing in Southeast Alberta is the culmination of more than a year of meaningful engagement with regional manufacturers who were willing to give their time to share their insights regarding the challenges and opportunities within the sector,” said Alex Wright, Economic Development Officer, Medicine Hat Economic Development. “The report highlights the strength and resilience of our manufacturing community and provides a roadmap for how we can better support growth, innovation, and long-term competitiveness.” 

This industry-specific report provides much-needed benchmarking data to inform business and policy decisions in one of the region’s key economic sectors. The manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution sector plays a crucial role in Southeast Alberta’s economy, providing both direct and indirect employment and making a significant contribution to regional prosperity. 

“This release marks an important step forward for our department, community, and region, reinforcing our commitment to providing a strong foundation for future economic growth and industry investment,” said Selena McLean-Moore, Director, Medicine Hat Economic Development.

The BREIS: Manufacturing initiative was led by MHED in collaboration with community partners, including Cypress County, the Town of Redcliff, Palliser Economic Partnership, Medicine Hat College, Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce, and Careers: The Next Generation. The effort supports MHED’s core pillar of Business and Industry Development. It works in tandem with other regional initiatives, such as the Southeast Alberta Economic Opportunities Study (SAEOS) and BREIS: Air, to support both the retention and expansion of industry. 

The full report is available for download, and updates on the progress of the recommendations will be posted regularly on the Medicine Hat Economic Development website. Read the State of the Industry: Manufacturing in Southeast Alberta report.

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