Small Community Opportunity Program

Athabasca County

The county will develop strong branding and marketing for the Celebrating Rural Women’s Conference to grow leadership and development skills and attract more women to agriculture.

• Grant amount: $28,800

County of Stettler No. 6

The county will create and promote an online Economic and Skills Development Dashboard that will offer opportunities for small business training and skills development workshops to grow the local economy and agricultural business.

• Grant amount: $90,000

County of Vermilion River

The county will hire staff to manage current and future economic development projects by building a strategy to deliver economic development services, improve efficiency and streamline processes.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Mackenzie County in partnership with Fort Vermilion and Area Board of Trade

The joint project will assess the Peace River and local tributaries as potential irrigation sources in the region. A new website will provide irrigation resources for local farmers and stakeholders to improve agricultural practices and water management.

• Grant amount: $89,900

Town of Hinton in partnership with the Hinton Chamber of Commerce

The town and the chamber will strengthen partnerships among small businesses to expand their marketing capacity both online and through special events and community initiatives.

• Grant amount: $39,686.10

Kneehill County

The county will create a new marketing identity, provide access to data, complete competitive land analysis and sector profiles to support expansion and attract investment.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Mackenzie County in partnership with La Crete Area Chamber of Commerce Society

The county and the chamber aim to advance regional agriculture through education, outreach, research and support by hiring an agriculture economic specialist who will focus on irrigation and diversification, including processing opportunities.

• Grant amount: $89,960

Northern Sunrise County

The county will work closely with local champions and entrepreneurs to create in-depth training, mentorships and guidance to help build successful businesses and boost rural economic growth.

• Grant amount: $90,000

City of Cold Lake in partnership with Stepping Stones Crisis Society

The Food Security and Culinary Skills Development Program addresses food security and workforce development by offering culinary skills training, meal preparation services, and classes on nutrition and budgeting. By partnering with agricultural producers, the program will support sustainable practices, create jobs and enhance self-sufficiency in the Cold Lake community. 

• Grant amount: $88,850

Town of Stettler in partnership with the Stettler Regional Board of Trade and Community Development

Through an in-depth marketing plan the town will promote Stettler's tourism, its economic opportunities and showcase an affordable community with available healthcare, schools and labour opportunities.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Town of Claresholm

The town will upgrade its website by adding dedicated pages showcasing business supports, investment opportunities and agriculture-focused initiatives that will improve accessibility, economic development capacity, tourism promotion and community engagement.

• Grant amount: $26,775

Town of Edson

The Invest Edson Business Accelerator Program will enhance the Invest Edson initiative with targeted marketing, establishing an ambassadors’ network to promote Edson’s advantages and providing workshops to strengthen local businesses.

• Grant amount: $44,000

Town of Falher

The town will promote Falher as the honey capital of Canada by making signage and other enhancements to create a vibrant cultural and agricultural tourism hub, strengthening Falher’s identity and driving economic growth.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Town of Fairview

The town will build upon the Fairview Sustainable Growth Action Plan to leverage existing data and insights to develop and grow the local tourism, housing and agriculture sectors.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Town of Fox Creek

The town will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the town's retail market by applying data-driven insights to identify gaps, assess economic leakage and uncover opportunities for local business growth.

• Grant amount: $56,025

Town of High Level

The town will develop a new Tourism Development Strategy that will align with current priorities and leverage land, including Footner Lake, to improve recreational and adventure tourism opportunities such as canoeing, fishing, camping, resorts and trail development. 

• Grant amount: $90,000

Town of Provost

The town will bring the Mashup Lab Virtual Business Incubator Program to Provost with seasoned mentors offering personalized coaching support to drive business growth in the area.

• Grant amount: $64,203.50

Town of Slave Lake

The town will aim to increase tourism and improve the local and visitor economy through a tourism marketing campaign.

• Grant amount: $84,700

Town of Spirit River

The town will install a digital billboard sign to support strategic marketing and communications that promotes awareness of the rural and agricultural sector within the town to grow economic development and agritourism.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Town of Sundre

The Town will study how to attract investment into their retail and light industrial sectors, measure spending lost to other communities and commission a business survey to identify areas for improvement.

• Grant amount: $52,875

Town of Vegreville

The town will create and install signs at key locations in Vegreville to establish easy navigation for visitors travelling to key rural tourism events and amenities in the community.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Town of Wainwright

The town will work closely with a diverse group of partners to create an economic development strategy and implementation plan to ensure the sustainability and growth of the community and promote rural tourism. This includes training for economic development staff and hosting business education and networking events.

• Grant amount: $77,295

Town of Drumheller in partnership with Travel Drumheller Marketing Association

The town and association will introduce a shuttle bus pilot in Drumheller to address the transportation gap, build capacity, increase local partnerships, boost the year-round tourism economy and improve the quality of life for its residents.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Village of Glenwood in partnership with Twin Rivers Country Economic Development Society

The Glenwood Electronic Marquee Sign Project is designed to serve as a centralized platform for promoting local businesses, events and cultural activities, with the goal of fostering economic growth while strengthening community connections.

• Grant amount: $36,000

Village Of Berwyn

The village will implement a municipal self-service kiosk and provide staff training and certifications. This will support rural economic development by building workforce capacity, fostering economic resilience and serving as a scalable model for other rural Alberta communities.

• Grant amount: $56,967.28

Village of Edgerton

The village will create a new economic development strategic plan and provide certified training for the chief administrative officer to strengthen leadership in economic initiatives.

Grant amount: $79,650

Beaver Lake Cree Nation

The initiative will support Beaver Lake Cree Nation through hands-on mentorship and skills training in trades such as HVAC, plumbing and electrical. The program will focus on providing real-world training opportunities and credentials that are essential for long-term employment and economic resilience.

• Grant amount: $ 63,000

Bigstone Cree Nation

The project will evaluate the feasibility of reintroducing bison to lakefront lands to promote agricultural development and tourism.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Chipewyan Prairie First Nation

This First Nation project will attract youth to farming though Indigenous-led agricultural skills training and mentorship to ensure food security, foster economic growth and inspire the next generation to sustain traditional and modern farming practices.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Cold Lake First Nations

An economic development marketing project will develop a strategy, tools and materials to support small businesses, grow partnerships and attract investments.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Dene Tha' First Nation

The Tapawingo Lodge Tourism Expansion Feasibility and Impact Study will assess opportunities to diversify tourism for the Dene Tha’ First Nation through adventure tourism and Indigenous agri-tourism, including northern lights viewing, cultural workshops and traditional agriculture experiences.

• Grant amount: $73,350

Driftpile Cree Nation

The Nation will develop a tourism strategy that will be a strong foundation to create authentic Indigenous tourism experiences.

• Grant amount: $51,500

Little Red River Cree Nation

Agri-food training and mentorship will be provided to members of the Little Red River Cree Nation by developing three community gardens and makers markets.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Athabasca and District Agricultural Society

The society will introduce workshops on ranching, agriculture, and homesteading, and install a digital highway sign to promote local initiatives. Focusing on youth, the society will launch farm safety courses, an introduction to trades workshop and agricultural awareness courses.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Cold Lake Agricultural Society

The society will develop a targeted marketing campaign to promote Mudfest 2025 by expanding marketing outreach, visitor engagement and enhancing the local and regional tourism ecosystem.

• Grant amount: $81,940

Community Futures Crowsnest Pass

The Business Excellence Training Initiative will empower business owners and operators with the tools and knowledge needed to achieve operational efficiency, high-quality standards and sustainable growth.

• Grant amount: $26,574.34

Conklin Resource Development Advisory Committee

The Conklin Community Greenhouse project tackles food insecurity with year-round sustainable food production. A community worker will oversee operations, including participation in community plots, and engaging residents in sustainable agriculture while integrating Métis traditions with modern techniques.

• Grant amount: $82,170

KAC Agricultural Society

Participants will gain hands-on training in hydroponic farming, business planning, and networking, with the goal of boosting local food production and entrepreneurship. 

• Grant amount: $73,350

Lac La Biche Regional Community Development Corporation

The program will train high school students with business skills to transform business ideas into viable ventures through 8 weeks of workshops to develop business plans and secure initial funding.

• Grant amount: $22,118

La Crete Agricultural Society

The society will conduct a study to evaluate irrigation infrastructure at varying scales, from private farms to projects up to 500,000 acres, to support the community make informed decisions on how to develop irrigation across the region.

• Grant amount: $89,975

University of Alberta

The university project will work with leaders in Drayton Valley and Brazeau County to connect them with wealth building concepts and towns who have spearheaded successful rural economic projects to build capacity in areas of interest such as local business, housing, recreation and tourism.

• Grant amount: $83,596.33

Athabasca County

The county will host a Farm Women's Conference in 2025 to provide women with the skills, leadership development and connections to increase workforce capacity in Athabasca's nine rural farming communities.

• Grant amount: $22,950

Brazeau County

The county will conduct an economic impact assessment of its industrial, agricultural, forestry and energy sectors to determine how to market the Western Economic Corridor.

• Grant amount: $45,000

City of Brooks

The city will connect with the local business community and provide supports for succession planning and implementation.

• Grant amount: $90,000

City of Camrose

The city will complete a gap analysis and research on potential tourism businesses to encourage entrepreneurial development in the tourism sector.

• Grant amount: $67,500

County of Barrhead

The county’s Know Your Business Conference and Tradeshow will help rural businesses and tourism operators explore resources and build capacity through education, collaboration and networking opportunities. 

• Grant amount: $44,115

County of Minburn

The county’s collaborative economic development project will create communications strategies and tools to help communities, businesses and non-profits target new investment opportunities in agriculture and other sectors.

• Grant amount: $90,000

County of St. Paul

The St. Paul-Elk Point Economic Development Alliance will implement a strategic planning project that will enable partner communities to build capacity and enhance rural economic development in agriculture and tourism.

• Grant amount: $72,000

Kneehill County

The county will commission a feasibility study for a multi-use tourism facility at the Horseshoe Canyon recreational area to increase agri-tourism opportunities in the area.

• Grant amount: $32,000

Lac La Biche County

The county will collaborate with agri-tourism partners to deliver workshops that will help growers, farmers, entrepreneurs and retailers develop and promote new agritourism ventures. 

• Grant amount: $72,077

Mackenzie County

The county’s irrigation initiative will explore and develop irrigation opportunities by building on early adopters’ knowledge and experiences.

• Grant amount: $87,132

Northern Sunrise County

The county will transform passing tourists into engaged visitors by developing and promoting a trail system map for activities like hiking, biking, quad biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. 

• Grant amount: $71,748

Special Areas Board

The board will integrate a workforce strategy and regional housing assessment into a comprehensive strategy it will use to attract and retain workers in the rural area.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Starland County

The county will employ an economic development officer to manage a business park development project until 2025/26.

• Grant amount: $76,500

Thorhild County

The county will contract an economic development officer to manage a project focusing on small business growth, attraction and promotion.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Town of Athabasca

The town will assess the feasibility of a solar greenhouse business for food production and create workshops to share business strategies and skills for greenhouse and indoor farming operations.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Town of Bashaw

The town will create a business liaison role within the community to facilitate workshops and provide coaching to help local businesses remain viable and grow.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Town of Drayton Valley

The town will assess the feasibility of developing an industrial hemp sector to produce automotive and construction panels, which will foster new partnerships and create jobs in agriculture and manufacturing.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Town of Mayerthorpe

The town’s Agri-Food Value Add Trade Show will create an annual hub showcasing local agri-food industries to local businesses, consumers and investors.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Town of Oyen

The town will develop and implement an investment attraction action plan for the Oyen Rail Yards and Logistics Park.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Town of Three Hills

The town will develop a partnership at the Three Hills airport with Kneehill County and Prairie College to increase facility use and create economic development opportunities.

• Grant amount: $48,700

Town of Trochu

The town will develop a comprehensive economic development plan based on a strategic community assessment and public feedback.

• Grant amount: $65,560

Town of Two Hills

The town will market the community and increase tourism by hosting the Explore Two Hills Regional Tourism Conference and Tradeshow, offering tourism workshops and creating promotional displays that highlight community assets. 

• Grant amount: $90,000

Town of Vegreville

The town will contract a media team to help drive rural tourism by promoting community groups’ summer events and amenities through digital advertising, print and social media.

• Grant amount: $22,500

Town of Wainwright

The town’s We Do Project will tackle challenges such as low-income barriers, houselessness, economic instability, poverty, and insufficient newcomer supports and settlement services. 

• Grant amount: $90,000

Town of Whitecourt

The town will complete a comprehensive market analysis to determine opportunities and strategies for business retention, expansion and attraction.

• Grant amount: $70,000

Village of Foremost

The village will uphold safety standards by developing an artificial intelligence-powered tool to assess and evaluate flight documentation that drone companies submit to the Foremost Unmanned Aerial System Test Range. 

• Grant amount: $90,000

Village of Hines Creek

The village will hire an economic development officer to help showcase the business and tourism opportunities it has to offer.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Village of Myrnam

The village will host free entrepreneurship and agriculture business administration courses for community members over two years.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Woodlands County

The county will conduct studies on the local agri-food market and rural Alberta economic development best practices.

• Grant amount: $80,500 

Cold Lake First Nations

The First Nation will implement a workforce development project to assess opportunities and employment diversification, analyze gaps and revamp an entrepreneur support program.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Dene Tha’ First Nation

The First Nation will provide training and employment to operate and maintain a community greenhouse and aquaponics facility in Chateh, Alberta.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Loon River First Nation

The First Nation will promote business development in the Loon River Business Park through strategic planning, developing members’ skills and capacity, and maximizing its location as a gateway to northern communities. 

• Grant amount: $90,000 

Bonnyville and District Chamber of Commerce Society

The society will create a one-stop-shop for business training and growth focused on workforce development, leadership and networking.

• Grant amount: $54,900

Community Futures Lesser Slave Lake Region

The region will enhance entrepreneurship, workforce skills and economic development in local communities through entrepreneurial training, coaching, workforce development and networking.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Jasper Employment and Education Centre

The centre will organize job fairs and collaborate with workforce stakeholders across Alberta to address labour shortages in Jasper. 

• Grant amount: $80,380

The Society of Joint Economic Development Initiative

The society will develop an innovative website to showcase the unique businesses, attractions and agricultural heritage in the Hamlets of Winfield, Buck Lake and Alder Flats.

• Grant amount: $90,000

La Crete Area Chamber of Commerce

The chamber will install an interactive digital billboard to share information, promote local events and build awareness of its agricultural sector.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Le conseil de développement économique de l’Alberta

Le conseil will create resources and provide business supports for local farmers to develop a thriving hemp industry cluster in the Smoky River Region.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Newell Regional Tourism Association

The association will leverage Open Farm Days’ marketing resources and supports to help local farms, business and organizations develop agri-tourism opportunities.

• Grant amount: $36,000

Northeast Alberta Information HUB

The HUB will conduct a strategic impact study to determine how advanced drones could maximize underused air strips to diversify local economies, increase investments and create jobs. 

• Grant amount: $90,000

Travel Drumheller Marketing Association

The association will deliver a training and professional development program to address skilled labour shortages in the tourism industry.

• Grant amount: $90,000

Waterton Chamber of Commerce

The chamber will increase shoulder season visitation by promoting spring and fall experience offers, hotel specials and key events in Waterton.

• Grant amount: $45,000

Willmore Wilderness Preservation and Historical Foundation

The foundation will build its capacity to market and promote the Willmore Wilderness Park north of Jasper as a diverse tourism destination.

• Grant amount: $75,436