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(City of Lacombe website)
Northern and Regional Economic Developme

City of Lacombe receives $200,000 from provincial government for Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan

Jul 28, 2023 | 2:08 PM

The City of Lacombe has received a $200,000 investment from the provincial government for their initiatives in the downtown.

The City says the funds come from the Government of Alberta’s Northern and Regional Economic Development program (NRED) and will be used towards their Downtown Area Redevelop Plan (DARP).

Officials say DARP Priority Projects include upgrading the downtown to make it more accessible, welcoming, and vibrant.

“This significant investment into the DARP vision shows we are on the right track with the economic and social development of our historic downtown core,” said Mayor Grant Creasey. “I want to thank the Government of Alberta for recognizing the success of the collaborative model we have chosen – spearheaded by the DARP Committee. I look forward to the milestone projects this investment will support in the coming years.”

The NRED program funds initiatives led by Alberta municipalities, Indigenous communities and non-profit organizations that promote regional economic development and diversification to achieve tangible and impactful results in one or more of the following priority areas

  • Investment in economic development infrastructure
  • Business supports
  • Labour force attraction and retention
  • Tourism planning, capacity building and infrastructure
  • Economic development capacity building

“Through the Northern and Regional Economic Development program, Alberta’s government is working with communities to support projects that serve the diverse needs of their local communities and economies,” said Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade Matt Jones. “We are excited to partner with the City of Lacombe by investing in projects that will improve the accessibility and vibrancy of the city’s downtown core and ensure it continues to thrive as the cultural and economic heart of the community.”

The City received the maximum funding level supported through the NRED. They say the funds will augment council’s financial commitment to the DARP implementation plan.

The investment has already supported signature priority projects including the Heart of Lacombe monument in Lest We Forget Park.

READ: ‘Heart of Lacombe’ wins Community Planning Association of Alberta award

For more details on DARP, including current and upcoming projects and proposals, visit lacombe.ca/DARP.