Alberta’s government is providing rural communities with more than $3.2 million dollars in grants for local projects that drive innovation and growth in those rural areas.
According to a press release, the province established the Small Community Opportunity Program through Budget 2023 and it has awarded grants between $20,000 dollars and $100,000 for 43 community-led projects that build capacity in agriculture, small business supports, and local economic development.
The grant recipients may work collaboratively or independently and they have two years to complete their projects which make a measurable impact supporting, improving or enhancing economic development in rural and Indigenous communities and/or the agriculture industry.
Among the grant recipients for 2023-2024 are the Town of Three Hills, the Town of Trochu, and Kneehill County.
According to the province, the grand amount of $76,500 dollars for the Town of Three Hills is for developing a partnership at the Three Hills airport with Kneehill County and Prairie College to increase facility use and create economic development opportunities.
Alberta’s government also points out that the grant amount of $65,560 dollars for the Town of Trochu is for developing a comprehensive economic development plan based on a strategic community assessment and public feedback.
Kneehill County will commission a feasibility study for a multi-use tourism facility at the Horseshoe Canyon recreational area to increase agri-tourism opportunities in the area, according to the province. The grant amount for Kneehill County is $32,000 dollars.
Find out more online at alberta.ca/small-community-opportunity-program.