The provincial government has unveiled strategies to improve economic development in rural Alberta.
The five-year plan focuses on key issues in rural Alberta, including economic development-enabling infrastructure, rural business supports and entrepreneurship, support for labour force and skills development, marketing and promoting rural tourism, and rural economic development capacity building.
Nate Horner, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, said “Rural Albertans face unique economic barriers and challenges that require a different approach than their urban neighbours.”
Horner added the Economic Development in Rural Alberta Plan “charts a path forward that will address these issues and build on our commitment in Budget 2022 to support sustainable growth and diversification in rural Alberta.”
As one of the first actions, the government has committed $125,000 to each of the eight regional economic development alliances to support long-term economic prosperity in their respective regions.
Noting rural Alberta’s oil and gas, agriculture and forestry, tourism and emerging technologies, Brian Jean, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development said what’s outlined in the plan will benefit these industries for years to come.
This includes providing additional support to Alberta’s network of regional economic development alliances to fuel further economic growth and prosperity across the province.
Beginning in the fall of 2021, Alberta’s government held targeted sessions with rural Alberta businesses and citizens, including Indigenous communities, to identify the specific challenges and possible solutions facing their regions. Feedback from in-person sessions and the online survey helped develop the plan’s vision.
For more information, please visit: www.alberta.ca/rural-economic-development.aspx