The federal government has pledged more than $21 million to Alberta’s value-added sector for product and service development and commercialization.
“T[hese] investments will help Alberta organizations and companies make even more advancements in the field of value-added agriculture, helping to further diversify our economy while creating sustainable jobs in our communities,” said Calgary Skyview MP George Chahal in a news release.
Among projects funded is Olds College, which is receiving more than $3 million to expand its Smart Farm operations into Saskatchewan and to purchase research equipment.
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Pure Life Carbon, an Edmonton-based company that produces growing mediums (e.g. for greenhouses), will receive more than $2 million to expand its manufacturing facility.
Alberta Bio Processing Innovation Centre and Alberta Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator are to receive a combined $1,125,000 to purchase and install new equipment. Both organizations help small and medium-sized businesses develop and scale products.
Alexander Business Corporation will get $146,800 to study the feasibility of two plant-based protein opportunities for Alexander First Nation, including a possible nation-owned production facility.
Satellite imaging firm Wyvern and Settler Adult Learning Centre are among other funded organizations.
The federal government touted the projects as having “significant environmental and economic benefits,” including supporting more than 800 jobs.
