The cost of doing business in the region is very reasonable and competitive.  In a recent KPMG Competitive Alternatives Study of International Business Costs (2006), the City of Lethbridge was rated among the top five of 50 communities studied in Western Canada and Midwest and Pacific US and in the top ten among 97 communities studied in North America for being cost competitive.

With the United States used as a base (index based on an average US dollar cost of 100), the cost of operating within various industries in Lethbridge was rated.  Overall, Lethbridge had a rating of 91.3 meaning that Lethbridge has an 8.7% advantage over locations in the United States when doing business.  The complete study is available on the KPMG Competitive Alternatives site.

Summary of study results for Lethbridge

Manufacturing                          Operation                             Index Rating (US=100)
• Aerospace                               • Aircraft parts                                • 92.3
• Agri-Food                                • Food processing**                         • 94.3
• Automotive                              • Auto parts                                    • 92.7
• Chemicals                                • Specialty chemicals**                    • 93.4
• Electronics                               • Electronics assembly**                   • 93.3
• Medical devices                        • Medical device mfg                         • 93.3
• Metal components                     • Metal machining**                         • 92.6
• Pharmaceuticals                        • Pharmaceutical products**              • 93.6
• Plastics                                    • Plastic products**                          • 93.5
• Precision manufacturing              • Precision components**                  • 91.3
• Telecommunications                   • Telecom equipment                        • 95.9

        Manufacturing Average (**Average of 7 operations) 93.4

Research & development           Operation                             Index Rating (US=100)
• Biotechnology                           • Biomedical R&D**                            • 83.6
• Clinical trials                             • Clinical trials management                 • 82.2
• Product testing                         • Electronic systems                            • 82.4
                                                  development & testing**
  
        R&D average (**Average of 2 operations) 83.0

Software                                   Operation                             Index Rating (US=100)
• Software design                       • Advanced software**                         • 88.3
• Web & multimedia                     • Content development**                      • 88.34

        Software average (**Average of 7 operations) 88.3

Corporate Services                    Operation                             Index Rating (US=100)
• Back office/call centers            • Shared services centre**                      • 86.9

        Overall result (**Average of 12 operations) 91.3