Alberta funds rural and Indigenous economic development projects with $3 million in grants

Alberta is investing another $3 million to help small and Indigenous communities pursue local economic development through the second round of the Small Community Opportunity Program.

The program awarded grants ranging from $20,000 to $90,000 for 41 projects that aim to build capacity in agriculture, small business and rural development. Projects are led by local organizations and must be completed within two years.

“This program is financially backing Indigenous and small communities,” said RJ Sigurdson, minister of agriculture and irrigation. “These grants help to build capacity in small businesses and the agriculture industry. When rural communities succeed, all of Alberta thrives.”

The funding supports projects aligned with the Economic Development in Rural Alberta Plan, a strategy designed to expand opportunities for rural and Indigenous Albertans where they live.

Eligible initiatives focus on business supports, workforce development, rural tourism, and economic planning. Each project also targets one or more priority areas, including entrepreneurship, skills development, partnerships and mentorship.

“Indigenous communities are vital partners in building a prosperous province,” said Rajan Sawhney, minister of Indigenous relations. “These investments empower local leaders, foster innovation, strengthen local economies and help build vibrant, self-sustaining communities.”

The Small Community Opportunity Program was launched through Budget 2023 and provides up to $3 million annually for the 2023–24 and 2024–25 fiscal years.

Small community grant recipients

Athabasca County – $28,800

The county will develop strong branding and marketing for the Celebrating Rural Women’s Conference to grow leadership and development skills and attract more women to agriculture.

County of Stettler No. 6 – $90,000

The county will create and promote an online Economic and Skills Development Dashboard that will offer opportunities for small business training and skills development workshops to grow the local economy and agricultural business.

County of Vermilion River – $90,000

The county will hire staff to manage current and future economic development projects by building a strategy to deliver economic development services, improve efficiency and streamline processes.

Mackenzie County in partnership with Fort Vermilion and Area Board of Trade – $89,900

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.

Town of Hinton in partnership with the Hinton Chamber of Commerce – $39,686.10

The town and the chamber will strengthen partnerships among small businesses to expand their marketing capacity both online and through special events and community initiatives.

Kneehill County – $90,000

The county will create a new marketing identity, provide access to data, complete competitive land analysis and sector profiles to support expansion and attract investment.

Mackenzie County in partnership with La Crete Area Chamber of Commerce Society – $89,960

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.

Northern Sunrise County – $90,000

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.

City of Cold Lake in partnership with Stepping Stones Crisis Society – $88,850

The Food Security and Culinary Skills Development Program addresses food security and workforce development by offering culinary skills training, meal preparation services, and classes on nutrition and budgeting. By partnering with agricultural producers, the program will support sustainable practices, create jobs and enhance self-sufficiency in the Cold Lake community.

Town of Stettler in partnership with the Stettler Regional Board of Trade and Community Development – $90,000

Through an in-depth marketing plan the town will promote Stettler’s tourism, its economic opportunities and showcase an affordable community with available healthcare, schools and labour opportunities.

Town of Claresholm – $26,775

The town will upgrade its website by adding dedicated pages showcasing business supports, investment opportunities and agriculture-focused initiatives that will improve accessibility, economic development capacity, tourism promotion and community engagement.

Town of Edson – $44,000

The Invest Edson Business Accelerator Program will enhance the Invest Edson initiative with targeted marketing, establishing an ambassadors’ network to promote Edson’s advantages and providing workshops to strengthen local businesses.

Town of Falher – $90,000

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.

Town of Fairview – $90,000

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.

Town of Fox Creek – $56,025

The town will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the town’s retail market by applying data-driven insights to identify gaps, assess economic leakage and uncover opportunities for local business growth.

Town of High Level – $90,000

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.

Town of Provost – $64,203.50

The town will bring the Mashup Lab Virtual Business Incubator Program to Provost with seasoned mentors offering personalized coaching support to drive business growth in the area.

Town of Slave Lake – $84,700

The town will aim to increase tourism and improve the local and visitor economy through a tourism marketing campaign.

Town of Spirit River – $90,000

The town will install a digital billboard sign to support strategic marketing and communications that promotes awareness of the rural and agricultural sector within the town to grow economic development and agritourism.

Town of Sundre – $52,875

The Town will study how to attract investment into their retail and light industrial sectors, measure spending lost to other communities and commission a business survey to identify areas for improvement.

Town of Vegreville – $90,000

The town will create and install signs at key locations in Vegreville to establish easy navigation for visitors travelling to key rural tourism events and amenities in the community.

Town of Wainwright – $77,295

The town will work closely with a diverse group of partners to create an economic development strategy and implementation plan to ensure the sustainability and growth of the community and promote rural tourism. This includes training for economic development staff and hosting business education and networking events.

Town of Drumheller in partnership with Travel Drumheller Marketing Association – $90,000

The town and association will introduce a shuttle bus pilot in Drumheller to address the transportation gap, build capacity, increase local partnerships, boost the year-round tourism economy and improve the quality of life for its residents.

Village of Glenwood in partnership with Twin Rivers Country Economic Development Society – $36,000

The Glenwood Electronic Marquee Sign Project is designed to serve as a centralized platform for promoting local businesses, events and cultural activities, with the goal of fostering economic growth while strengthening community connections.

Village Of Berwyn – $56,967.28

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.

Village of Edgerton – $79,650

The village will create a new economic development strategic plan and provide certified training for the chief administrative officer to strengthen leadership in economic initiatives.

Indigenous community grant recipients

Beaver Lake Cree Nation – $63,000

The initiative will support Beaver Lake Cree Nation through hands-on mentorship and skills training in trades such as HVAC, plumbing and electrical. The program will focus on providing real-world training opportunities and credentials that are essential for long-term employment and economic resilience.

Bigstone Cree Nation – $90,000

The project will evaluate the feasibility of reintroducing bison to lakefront lands to promote agricultural development and tourism.

Chipewyan Prairie First Nation – $90,000

This First Nation project will attract youth to farming though Indigenous-led agricultural skills training and mentorship to ensure food security, foster economic growth and inspire the next generation to sustain traditional and modern farming practices.

Cold Lake First Nations – $90,000

An economic development marketing project will develop a strategy, tools and materials to support small businesses, grow partnerships and attract investments.

Dene Tha’ First Nation – $73,350

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.

Driftpile Cree Nation – $51,500

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

Little Red River Cree Nation – $90,000

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.

Non-profit grant recipients

Athabasca and District Agricultural Society – $90,000

The society will introduce workshops on ranching, agriculture, and homesteading, and install a digital highway sign to promote local initiatives. Focusing on youth, the society will launch farm safety courses, an introduction to trades workshop and agricultural awareness courses.

Cold Lake Agricultural Society – $81,940

The society will develop a targeted marketing campaign to promote Mudfest 2025 by expanding marketing outreach, visitor engagement and enhancing the local and regional tourism ecosystem.

Community Futures Crowsnest Pass – $26,574.34

The Business Excellence Training Initiative will empower business owners and operators with the tools and knowledge needed to achieve operational efficiency, high-quality standards and sustainable growth.

Conklin Resource Development Advisory Committee – $82,170

The Conklin Community Greenhouse project tackles food insecurity with year-round sustainable food production. A community worker will oversee operations, including participation in community plots, and engaging residents in sustainable agriculture while integrating Métis traditions with modern techniques.

KAC Agricultural Society – $73,350

Participants will gain hands-on training in hydroponic farming, business planning, and networking, with the goal of boosting local food production and entrepreneurship.

Lac La Biche Regional Community Development Corporation – $22,118

The program will train high school students with business skills to transform business ideas into viable ventures through 8 weeks of workshops to develop business plans and secure initial funding.

La Crete Agricultural Society – $89,975

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.