East central region sees $4.7M in additional coal transition funding

As Canada continues to shift away from coal-fired power to protect our climate and create a more sustainable economy, the Government of Canada, through Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), is investing in communities affected by the coal transition.

Moving to a low-carbon economy is good for the environment, good for the economy, and will benefit all Canadians.

The Government of Canada understands that such a change must also ensure a just and fair transition for workers and communities that have relied financially on coal mining and coal-fired power generation.

On Mon. Jan. 17, the Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, announced more than $5.6 million in support of eight projects across Alberta that will help communities attract investment, create jobs and transition towards a greener economy.

The funding is being delivered through the Canada Coal Transition Initiative (CCTI) and Canada Coal Transition Initiative-Infrastructure Fund (CCTI-IF).

These funds support skills development, infrastructure investments and economic diversification in impacted communities transitioning from coal-fired electricity generation.

Alberta projects receiving support through the Canada Coal Transition Initiative include $2.25 million in new funding to Harvest Sky Economic Development Corporation to conduct a strategic analysis and economic diversification study that will inform future investment and business attraction activities for the region comprising Hanna, the Village of Youngstown and Special Area No. 2.

The Hanna Learning Centre has been given $143,917 to establish a business hub and concierge centre in Hanna.

An additional $200,000 in funding was also given to the Community Futures Network of Alberta (CFNA) to support workers and businesses in communities affected by the coal transition.

CFNA is a community driven, non-profit business loan and business development organization made up of 27 Community Futures offices throughout rural Alberta.

Projects receiving support through the Canada Coal Transition Initiative-Infrastructure Fund include over $2 million in new funding to the Special Areas Board in Special Area No. 2 to develop an industrial park that will support industrial applications suitable to a remote location.

Flagstaff County will also see $150,000 in new funding to undertake the Flagstaff County Industrial Park Feasibility Study.

These investments mean more than $32 million have been invested in Alberta communities since 2018 through the Canada Coal Transition Initiative (CCTI) and Canada Coal Transition Initiative-Infrastructure Fund (CCTI-IF).

“Prairies Economic Development Canada has been and continues to be a great source of support for the Harvest Sky region as we look at opportunities to make our communities sustainable after the loss of our coal fired power plant,” said Mark Nikota, Economic Development Manager, Harvest Sky Region Economic Development Corporation. 

“The funding and assistance they provide have allowed us to build a strong economic development and community base which we can leverage into the future, and we look forward to continued collaboration as we align our region and marketing to new investors, residents and visitors.”

In February 2018, the Government of Canada announced amendments to regulations to phase out traditional coal-fired electricity generation by 2030.

PrairiesCan received $25 million in Budget 2018 to establish the Canada Coal Transition Initiative (CCTI), which helps impacted communities in Alberta and Saskatchewan transition their economies away from coal-fired electricity generation.

Budget 2019 announced a further $105 million through the Canada Coal Transition Initiative-Infrastructure Fund (CCTI-IF) for PrairiesCan to support infrastructure investments and economic diversification in impacted communities as they transition from coal-fired electricity generation.

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