Afarmers’ seed-cleaning co-operative in Alberta’s Peace region will get just over $2.5 million in public funds to replace its seed cleaning plant.
Federal government funding announced Feb. 9 for the High Prairie Seed Cleaning Co-op’s new facility will flow through the federal Community Adjustment Fund (CAF), meant to back diversification efforts in communities leaning heavily on resource-based industries.
The federal contribution of $2,004,700, plus a $500,000 contribution from the Municipal District of Big Lakes, will go toward a new plant with increased seed cleaning capacity, new sorting technology and room for future expansion.
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“Further benefits for High Prairie include the creation of immediate job opportunities and production of feed for use by local farms,” the government said in a release.
The co-op, based at High Prairie, about 125 km southeast of Peace River, “plays a key role in sustaining our community’s strong agricultural presence,” Alvin Billings, reeve for the MD of Big Lakes, said in the government’s release.
The co-op’s board began looking at the possibility for a new seed cleaning plant about 10 years ago, plant manager Bryant Kushner said in the release.
