SouthGrow receives provincial funding for new three-year project

Posted on May 1, 2025 by Sunny South News

Southern Alberta Newspapers

The SouthGrow Regional Initiative has launched a transformative three-year project that will deliver tailored Community Economic Development (CED) planning and implementation support to 30 municipalities across southern Alberta. 

The initiative was made possible by a $128,000 grant from the Alberta government’s Northern and Regional Economic Development (NRED) program.

The project will address a long-standing challenge in the region – a lack of local staff capacity to advance economic development. SouthGrow will work directly with each of its member municipalities to create custom, data-informed CED plans, provide staff and council training, and offer two years of follow-up coaching to support implementation.

“This project will equip our communities with the tools and knowledge they need to take meaningful action,” said Coun. Laurie Lyckman, chair of SouthGrow and councillor for Vulcan County. “With support from the province and our partners, we’re strengthening the economic foundations of Southern Alberta – community by community.”

To lead the delivery of this work, SouthGrow has hired Makayla Gross, a rising star in economic development from Bow Island, Alta. Gross brings a strong background in marketing, business development, and strategic planning and as the founder of Westward Marketing Solutions, she has collaborated with numerous municipalities and organizations across Southern Alberta. 

She has worked directly with SouthGrow and its communities for the past two years as a communications coordinator. In her role as economic development officer, Gross will work directly with municipal leaders and staff to develop and implement customized economic development plans for each community.

“Makayla has proven herself to possess energy, insight and talents which make her the ideal person for this work,” said Jim Willett, vice-chair of SouthGrow and councillor from the Village of Coutts. “I’m eager to see what our team can accomplish with her in this new role.”

The project builds on more than two decades of foundational work conducted by SouthGrow and is designed to create lasting value. Plans will include strategies for business retention and expansion, investment attraction readiness, and infrastructure planning. The outcome of the project will position SouthGrow communities for future funding opportunities and sustainable growth.

Funding for the initiative was made possible through the NRED program, administered by Alberta Jobs, Economy and Trade, which supports planning and feasibility studies that lay the groundwork for regional economic development.