By CHAT News Today

Province commits $11.5 million in funding to agriculture societies

Mar 21, 2018 | 7:06 AM

EDMONTON- The provincial government has announced more funding for rural communities across Alberta.

During a speech at the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties convention Tuesday morning, the government announced several initiatives to help rural communities, including a new tax credit and funding for agricultural societies.

Agriculture societies in Alberta will be receiving yearly government funding of $11.5 million for three years, allowing the societies to plan ahead and budget for facilities, events and education opportunities provided in the communities.

“I’m pleased that we can continue to support the vital work that agricultural societies do in our province to encourage growth in the agriculture industry and rural Alberta, and educate the next generation of farmers and ranchers,” said Oneil Carlier, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, in a news release. “Ag societies are our partners in delivering many community-centred initiatives, including Alberta Open Farm Days, farm safety education, trade shows, agricultural celebrations and much more.”

In small communities, buildings such as curling rinks, hockey rinks and community halls are usually run by agriculture societies.

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Approximately 700 facilities across Alberta are operated by agriculture societies, and feature more than 65,000 volunteers.

The societies also put on events such as rodeos and summer fairs to bring people together and help celebrate and learn about rural life and agriculture.

“These volunteer-driven organizations need stable funding to plan for the future, and continue to do the important work of promoting agriculture and enhancing the quality of life of Albertans,” said Tim Carson, CEO of the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies.

The province also reminded communities they can still apply for the Provincial Education Requisition Credit., which gives tax relief for education and property tax on oil and gas properties that cannot be collected.

The credit is retroactive to 2015, when oil prices started falling, and will run until 2019.

Following the first round of applications, 37 communities were approved for tax credits totalling more than $3 million.

Municipalities can apply for the program in the 2018 and 2019 assessment years.