Collin Gallant
CBC Medicine Hat

Continuing on a theme we've been following, the top elected officials from Medicine Hat, Cypress County and Redcliff say they're working together. 

They told a business audience recently that they're co-operating to get full value from the "natural advantages" in the region and to get it growing.

But at the State of the Region luncheon in Medicine Hat on May 14, the tri-area's mayors also pointed out some key hurdles that have kept this years-long drum beat of civic camaraderie from providing new industrial investments that residents want. 

"What can be done here is astronomical," said Cypress County's Dan Hamilton during his address at the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce event.

One audience member asked what's the holdup on agrifood investments.

"Water," Hamilton replied, later explaining to reporters, "We have licences and we have to work together. … Water is life, and it's hard to come by in this area."

That's water not just for population growth but also for processing plants that need a large amount of treated water, not to mention sewage facilities at the other end.

For her part, Medicine Hat's Linnsie Clark reiterated a stance she's told us a few times: that the Hat needs to advance its long-running workforce strategy.

That, she said, will unlock opportunities in defence manufacturing in the Hat, so close to CFB Suffield, and compete with so many other locations vying for investment. 

"Whenever billions are directed to an industrial sector, everyone is suddenly an expert, everywhere is a 'hub,' but we do have advantages," she said.

New on this file, Clark revealed a previously unannounced trip by city officials to Ottawa to meet with the ministers of defence and transportation.

Also not widely known was a city hall-hosted tour of engineering firms and employees this month to promote the city as an option for investment.

For his part, new Redcliff Mayor Chris Czember said his town is on board for "manageable growth" that's not going to raise costs for current residents.

Redcliff — Hatters often forget — is home to a couple of drone outfits, more than a few greenhouses, and its own water system.

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