City of Lacombe has received a $200,000 provincial grant to spruce up the downtown.
The money from the province’s Northern and Regional Economic Development (NRED) program will go towards Lacombe Downtown Area Redevelop Plan (DARP) projects to upgrade the downtown and make it more accessible, welcoming and vibrant, says the city in a news release announcing the funding on Thursday.
“This significant investment into the DARP vision shows we are on the right track with the economic and social development of our historic downtown core,” Mayor Grant Creasey said. “I want to thank the Government of Alberta for recognizing the success of the collaborative model we have chosen – spearheaded by the DARP Committee.
“I look forward to the milestone projects this investment will support in the coming years.”
Lacombe received the maximum funding level supported through the NRED. These funds will augment council’s financial commitment to the DARP implementation plan. That investment has supported signature priority projects, including the Heart of Lacombe monument in Lest We Forget Park.
The NRED program funds initiatives led by Alberta municipalities, Indigenous communities and non-profit organizations that promote regional economic development and diversification.
Alberta Jobs, Economy and Trade Minister Matt Jones said that through the program the government is supporting projects that serve the diverse needs of local communities and economies.
“We are excited to partner with the City of Lacombe by investing in projects that will improve the accessibility and vibrancy of the city’s downtown core and ensure it continues to thrive as the cultural and economic heart of the community.”
The NRED program funds initiatives that support economic development in a number of priority areas:
• Investment in economic development infrastructure
• Business supports
• Labour force attraction and retention
• Tourism planning, capacity building and infrastructure
• Economic development capacity building