Ten local organizations receive Provincial Funding

Indigenous and small communities are essential to Alberta’s economic prosperity.

Collaborating with non-profits, they seize opportunities and address unique challenges to foster growth in rural areas.

To support this, Alberta’s government has launched the second round of the Small Community Opportunity Program, awarding grants between $20,000 and $100,000 to 43 community-led projects.

These initiatives focus on agriculture, small business support and local economic development, aligning with the Economic Development in Rural Alberta Plan.

Recipients have two years to complete their projects, aiming to make a measurable impact on rural and Indigenous communities.

Local Recipients:

Mackenzie County in partnership with Fort Vermilion and Area Board of Trade

The joint project will assess the Peace River and local tributaries as potential irrigation sources in the region. A new website will provide irrigation resources for local farmers and stakeholders to improve agricultural practices and water management.

Grant amount: $89,900

Mackenzie County in partnership with La Crete Area Chamber of Commerce Society

The county and the chamber aim to advance regional agriculture through education, outreach, research and support by hiring an agriculture economic specialist who will focus on irrigation and diversification, including processing opportunities.

Grant amount: $89,960

Northern Sunrise County

The county will work closely with local champions and entrepreneurs to create in-depth training, mentorships and guidance to help build successful businesses and boost rural economic growth.

Grant amount: $90,000

Town of Falher

The town will promote Falher as the honey capital of Canada by making signage and other enhancements to create a vibrant cultural and agricultural tourism hub, strengthening Falher’s identity and driving economic growth.

Grant amount: $90,000

Town of Fairview

The town will build upon the Fairview Sustainable Growth Action Plan to leverage existing data and insights to develop and grow the local tourism, housing and agriculture sectors.

Grant amount: $90,000

Town of High Level

The town will develop a new Tourism Development Strategy that will align with current priorities and leverage land, including Footner Lake, to improve recreational and adventure tourism opportunities such as canoeing, fishing, camping, resorts and trail development.

Grant amount: $90,000

Village Of Berwyn

The village will implement a municipal self-service kiosk and provide staff training and certifications. This will support rural economic development by building workforce capacity, fostering economic resilience and serving as a scalable model for other rural Alberta communities.

Grant amount: $56,967.28

Dene Tha’ First Nation

The Tapawingo Lodge Tourism Expansion Feasibility and Impact Study will assess opportunities to diversify tourism for the Dene Tha’ First Nation through adventure tourism and Indigenous agri-tourism, including northern lights viewing, cultural workshops and traditional agriculture experiences.

Grant amount: $73,350

Driftpile Cree Nation

The Nation will develop a tourism strategy that will be a strong foundation to create authentic Indigenous tourism experiences.

Grant amount: $51,500

Little Red River Cree Nation

Agri-food training and mentorship will be provided to members of the Little Red River Cree Nation by developing three community gardens and makers markets.

Grant amount: $90,000

La Crete Agricultural Society

The society will conduct a study to evaluate irrigation infrastructure at varying scales, from private farms to projects up to 500,000 acres, to support the community make informed decisions on how to develop irrigation across the region.