| | Rural Alberta’s Development Fund is now considering the first Expressions of Interest submitted for community-led projects. Funding from $50,000 to $5 million is available for projects that contribute to the growth, prosperity or quality of life of rural Alberta, and project applicants must provide 25 per cent or more of the overall cost of the project.
“Funding will be considered for a wide range of projects,” says Terry Keyko, managing director with Rural Alberta’s Development Fund. “Each project must demonstrate how it supports the community and must involve the community or communities where it will be implemented. It is not a fund for capital works projects.”
Rural Alberta’s Development Fund has set out the following criteria priorities:
- promote economic development in rural communities
- build community capacity
- facilitate opportunities to access health services
- expand learning and development opportunities
- sustain and enhance the quality of rural Alberta’s environment
- provide opportunities for rural youth
- engage and support seniors
- encourage the participation of Aboriginal people
The first step rural communities and mid-sized cities need to take is the submission of an Expression of Interest, which is a two- to three-page outline of the proposed project. Expression of Interest forms are available on the Rural Alberta’s Development Fund website at www.ruralalbertasfund.com or by calling the fund office. An Expression of Interest must be approved before a full proposal will be invited.
“Communities can submit an Expression of Interest at any time,” says Keyko. “Submissions are reviewed on an on-going basis. The fund will notify applicants within four weeks of submission, and indicate approval, rejection or if more information is required.”
Once an Expression of Interest is approved, applicants will be given sufficient time to submit detailed project proposals. A deadline for project proposals will be provided in the Expression of Interest approval letter.
Rural Alberta’s Development Fund is a not-for-profit company incorporated in 2006 under Part-9 of the Companies Act (Alberta). Created by the Government of Alberta in support of communities, regional alliances and not-for-profit organizations, the funding is intended to assist the growth and prosperity of rural Alberta. For further information on the Fund, including criteria and required forms, visit the website or call toll free 1-877-940-7233.
The $100 million provided to the fund by the Government of Alberta will be used to invest in projects that stimulate economic growth and address rural challenges and opportunities. The fund is a key implementation initiative of the province’s Rural Development Strategy, released in 2005. For more information on the strategy, go to www.rural.gov.ab.ca/strategy.
Contact:
Rural Alberta’s Development Fund
1-877-940-7233
info@ruralalbertasfund.com |
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