Provincial government earmarks additional $3M to support local economic development

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on September 26, 2024.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

The province is providing an additional $3 million to Indigenous and small communities in rural Alberta to support local economic development.

Recognizing the importance of these communities, Alberta released its Economic Development in Rural Alberta Plan in 2022. Now, the government is investing in the second round of grants through the Small Community Opportunity Program to further implement this plan.

“The Small Community Opportunity Program continues to provide financial backing for Indigenous and small communities to tackle challenges and tap into opportunities to grow their local economic footprint. By building capacity in small businesses and the agriculture industry, these rural communities will have a strong foundation to grow and thrive,” said RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation.

In 2023, the program awarded grants between $20,000 and $100,000 for 43 community-led projects that build capacity in agriculture, small business supports and local economic development.

Organizations with community-led projects that align with the Economic Development in Rural Alberta Plan can apply for grants between $20,000 and $100,000. Projects must align with one of the following aims: rural business supports and entrepreneurship, support for labour force and skills development, marketing and promoting rural tourism or rural economic development capacity building.

Applications opened Tuesday.

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