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By rdnewsNOW Staff

Two grants totalling $900,000

Federal and provincial governments invest in Alberta’s hemp industry

Apr 23, 2022 | 8:30 AM

Alberta is awarding two grants totalling $900,000 to help grow the province’s hemp industry, in partnership with the federal government.

“While the province is now Canada’s top hemp producer, growing 40 per cent of the country’s hemp, there are more opportunities for growth and diversification in the agri-processing industry. This investment will not only increase the demand for Alberta-grown hemp, it will also create new manufacturing and processing jobs for Albertans,” said Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation.

INCA Renewtech, a hemp manufacturing company, will receive a grant of up to $400,000. INCA will use the funding to build a new $72-million hemp processing facility in Vegreville.

“INCA Renewtech is delighted to join a talented consortium from agriculture, industry and the public sector to create the Alberta hemp supercluster. The governments of Canada and Alberta have been generous in supporting the project and we very much look forward to working with them to make the hemp supercluster an important part of the Alberta economy,” said David Saltman, CEO of INCA Renewtech.

The company will transform hemp fibre into natural fibre composites in Alberta for further manufacturing, creating a demand for 54,000 tonnes of hemp biomass per year. The facility is expected to add $270 million in additional farm income over 25 years and create more than 70 new high-value manufacturing jobs, promoting rural economic development.

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“I, along with members of Vegreville town council, have long believed our community could serve as a potential hub for North America’s burgeoning hemp industry,” said Town of Vegreville Mayor Tim MacPhee.

“Vegreville is fortunate to be home to some of the brightest minds in the hemp research industry and their efforts in advocating for our community helped make this opportunity a reality.”

Blue Sky Hemp Ventures, specializing in hemp whole plant utilization, will receive a grant of $500,000 to advance a proposed $75-million hemp food processing facility in Alberta.

“This announcement firmly demonstrates the Alberta government’s commitment to fostering the enormous growth potential of the hemp industry. Together, with INCA, we look forward to maximizing the value to farmers by utilizing the whole hemp crop while producing healthy food ingredients and sustainable industrial products,” said Andrew Potter, CEO of Blue Sky Hemp Ventures.

The company says they will use the funds to scale up production of its cold pressed, purified hemp seed oil for use in cosmetic and food applications, and to scale up production of a hemp protein concentrate from the resulting meal.

The facility will have the capacity to process up to 35,000 tonnes of hemp grain and will be the first large-scale hemp food processing facility in the province.

It is expected to create more than 90 new jobs in rural Alberta and $45 million of annual farm revenue for hemp grain while expanding the market for hemp foods.

“Hemp is a multibillion-dollar industry that is growing exponentially. By creating this space and supporting value-added opportunities such as INCA and Blue Sky, Alberta can lead Canada’s hemp industry and attract more global attention and investments,” said Manny Deol, executive director of the Alberta Hemp Alliance.

Both projects are funded through the Emerging Opportunities program under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $3-billion commitment by the federal, provincial and territorial governments to support Canada’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-products sectors.

This includes a $2 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by the latter. Programs are focused on growing trade, expanding markets, innovative and sustainable growth of the sector, and supporting diversity.

“Alberta’s growing hemp industry is helping to build a strong agriculture sector that creates jobs and brings tremendous opportunities to communities across the province. By producing, processing and creating value-added products within the province, the hemp industry can remain sustainable and agile, while seizing new opportunities in domestic and export markets,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

In Alberta, the Partnership has committed a federal-provincial investment of up to $406 million over five years towards strategic programs and services that are aligned to national objectives and tailored to priorities in Alberta.