The federal and provincial governments are supporting the largest ever private investment in Lethbridge’s history. Premier Rachel Notley was in Lethbridge to participate in the sod-turning for Cavendish Farms’ new $360-million, state-of-the-art frozen potato-processing facility that will see up to 400 construction workers on site at its peak.
This project will create greater opportunities for local producers and increase the province’s value-added food-processing capabilities. The new Cavendish facility is expected to create demand for an additional 9,000 acres of potatoes, which at $3,500-$4,000 an acre is one of the highest-value agricultural crops grown in the province.
The governments Canada and Alberta are contributing $20 million to the City of Lethbridge for municipal infrastructure developments through the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund and Alberta’s Capital Plan. As well, through the federal-provincial-territorial Growing Forward 2 initiative, both governments are providing $1.88 million for pre-engineering studies and other purposes.
Economic Development and Trade is also providing more than $1 million through the Community and Regional Economic Support program to support the Lethbridge Agri-food Processing Capacity Development project and the Lethbridge Airport Master Plan.
This project will create greater opportunities for local producers and increase the province’s value-added food-processing capabilities. The new Cavendish facility is expected to create demand for an additional 9,000 acres of potatoes, which at $3,500-$4,000 an acre is one of the highest-value agricultural crops grown in the province.
Source : Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada