Town of Hanna receives provincial grant to assist with coal transition

HANNA, AB — The town of Hanna is receiving provincial funding to help it transition away from coal.

The town received a $450,000 grant on Monday. from the Alberta government to create 10 Community Action Teams. The teams will focus on opportunities identified in a recently completed report by the Hanna Climate Change Strategy Task Force commissioned last year.

“The Town of Hanna has a proud history of helping power a prosperous and industrious province,” said Deron Bilous, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, in a statement.

“We want that to continue so people here can build a good life for themselves and their families. We know that Canada’s move away from coal has created a lot of uncertainty – that’s why we are working with local leaders and residents to support their made-in-Hanna plan for a resilient, diversified economy.”

The federal government announce its plan to phase out coal in Canada by the end of 2029.

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The town plans to begin hosting community meetings to establish the teams in the coming weeks.

“Our community members have been bringing forward suggestions for economic development opportunities for some time and this project provides a structure to take these ideas from concept to action,” said Mayor Chris Warwick in a news release. “Our message is clear – diversification must be a priority as we work together to build an economy for the future.”

The Community Action Teams will be led by the Cactus Corridor Economic Development Corporation, which includes members from the Town of Hanna, the Special Areas Board, the Village of Youngstown and the Hanna Learning Centre. The teams will also partner with the Rural Alberta Business Centre in Hanna, which helps more than 65 entrepreneurs and startups in the area each year.

The work of the new Community Action Teams will also incorporate feedback from the Alberta government’s Advisory Panel on Coal Communities, which is expected to complete its report this fall.