ID 220440281 | Alberta © Jeff Whyte | Dreamstime.com

By rdnewsNOW staff

Provincial Politics

Province announces $3M investment to support economic growth in rural communities

Jul 3, 2025 | 4:22 PM

Alberta’s government announced Thursday, an additional $3 million in grants for Indigenous and small communities to maximize opportunities in rural areas.

To support local projects that promote innovation and sustainable economic growth across the province, Alberta’s government says it is providing a second round of grants through the Small Community Opportunity Program. Government officials say the program has awarded grants between $20,000 and $90,000 for 41 community-led projects that build capacity in agriculture, small-business supports and local economic development.

“Indigenous and small communities are vital to Alberta and its long-term economic prosperity,” says RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation. “For the second year, the Small Community Opportunity Program is financially backing Indigenous and small communities. These grants help to build capacity in small businesses and the agriculture industry. When rural communities succeed, all of Alberta thrives.”

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

According to provincial officials, each of the successful projects aligns with the Economic Development in Rural Alberta Plan, which works to ensure rural Albertans and Indigenous communities have economic opportunities where they live.

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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.

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
• The Small Community Opportunity Program is made possible through Budget 2023 to provide up to $3 million per year in 2023-24 and 2024-25.