By RDNewsNOW Staff

Alberta government hoping to maximize opportunities in rural communities

Jun 11, 2024 | 4:00 PM

Alberta’s government has announced it is providing rural communities with more than $3.2 million in grants for local projects that drive innovation and growth in rural areas.

Alberta government officials say Indigenous and small communities play a vital role in the province’s economic landscape. Working together with non-profits, they tap into opportunities and address unique challenges to help develop local economies and grow the economic footprint in rural Alberta, say provincial officials.

To support local projects that promote innovation and sustainable economic growth across the province, Alberta’s government has established the Small Community Opportunity Program. Through Budget 2023, officials say the program has 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.

“By providing financial backing, our Small Community Opportunity Program grants are empowering Indigenous and small communities to develop their local economies by building capacity in the agriculture and small business sectors,” says RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation. “The fact is when these communities succeed, all of Alberta is made stronger.”

The government says each of the successful projects aligns with the Economic Development in Rural Alberta Plan, which is said to be working to ensure rural Albertans and Indigenous communities have economic opportunities where they live. Whether working collaboratively or independently, the government says grant recipients have two years to complete their projects and make a measurable impact supporting, improving or enhancing economic development in rural and Indigenous communities and/or the agriculture industry.

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“Mackenzie County has been exploring ways to expand irrigation initiatives to strengthen and diversify our agriculture sector,” explains Josh Knelsen, reeve, Mackenzie County. “The Small Community Opportunity Program grant will enable us to continue this work and build on early irrigation adopters’ knowledge and experiences to advance economic development in the county.”

Alberta government quick facts

• Small Community Opportunity Program projects align with one or more of these strategic directions in the Economic Development in Rural Alberta Plan:
• Rural business supports and entrepreneurship
• Support for labour force and skills development
• Marketing and promoting rural tourism
• Rural economic development capacity building
• Each project also addresses one or more of these priority areas:
• Entrepreneurship and mentorship
• Skills development
• Small business supports
• Partnerships, interconnectivity and collaboration