News Releases
tecconnect ahead of target
September 20, 2012
Lethbridge -
Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL) announced today that tecconnect – An Alberta centre for new commerce has exceeded its first-year business intake goals with the recent addition of four more companies to the centre. EDL introduced GrowTEC (Grow The Energy Circle) and GranDuke Geomatics Ltd. as the fifth and sixth commercialization client companies who are using the facility to move their business concepts and plans forward. Farmers Edge Precision Consulting Inc. and Intermap Technologies Corp. have also moved into tecconnect as commercial tenants to serve their business needs in southern Alberta.
tecconnect is designed to attract, incubate and develop technology companies through commercialization of products and services. The centre has an Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) focus with a specific emphasis in geospatial imaging. One of the reasons for this knowledge-industry focus is the co-location opportunity with rapidly-expanding partner BlackBridge Geomatics.
“Growth in this industry often takes place when like-minded business owners and entrepreneurs join together creating potential opportunities for knowledge sharing and ventures,” said EDL CEO Cheryl Dick. “All of the companies announced today have a direct connection to the geospatial imaging industry; they are using technology platforms to create knowledge industry jobs and are already benefitting from the co-location opportunities at tecconnect and within the local ICT cluster.”
Lethbridge and southern Alberta are well positioned to promote and grow the ICT industry sector, which can be more difficult to expand in rural areas. With the successful programming and research at the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College, this community has a significant research, education and training foothold in the technology industry.
“Our Board of Directors committed to this project over three years ago and we are thrilled to report that the benefit of tecconnect to southern Alberta is already being demonstrated by the establishment or growth of these companies,” adds Cheryl. “Nearly half of the companies in tecconnect were started by or employ graduates of the University of Lethbridge.” This adds to the entrepreneurial and employment opportunities in the region and encourages graduates of local post-secondary institutions to stay and work in Lethbridge.
The synergies between EDL and the local ICT sector in the conducive setting of tecconnect are creating a strong investment attraction message for southern Alberta. “Together with our partners, we have formed an attractive place for like-minded techno-preneurs and businesses to work together,” adds EDL Vice-President of tecconnect & Business Development Renae Barlow. “Our intention is that tecconnect will continue to be a catalyst that inspires growth in the high-tech industry in southern Alberta.”
Please view the client directory for more information about the new clients and facilities. Companies interested in locating in tecconnect or partnering with EDL to support clients can contact Renae Barlow at 403-332-6021.
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