Through coordination across all levels of government and in partnership with industry, Canada is hoping to enable Alberta’s small- and medium-sized businesses to capitalize on opportunities.
Specifically, Prairies Economic Development Canada is seeking to build upon Alberta’s reputation as an “agricultural powerhouse” by investing more than $20 million across projects commercializing innovative products, technologies, and services for Canadian and global markets.
“Our government is making strategic investments to build on Alberta’s solid track record of commercializing innovative products, services, and technologies that the world needs,” stated Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan.
“The projects we’re announcing today will help ensure Alberta’s value-added agricultural sector can capitalize on the opportunity to create new solutions that benefit both the economy and environment,” he continued.
The investment of $21M (on top of $12.5 million in additional funding through other levels of government and industry) is spread across 14 projects. This includes $3M for Olds College to expand its Smart Farm, and $450,000 toward Wyvern launching a new proprietary system that reduces the cost of satellite imaging used for farming solutions that help preserve ecological zones and increase agricultural yields.
“At Olds College, we work very hard to be at the leading edge of agriculture and technology in Alberta and around the world,” says Todd Ormann, who serves as vice president of development for the institution. “By expanding our research and Smart Farm operations, we get additional opportunities to integrate agriculture technology into the classrooms for an enriched learning environment, so our students get the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the agriculture industry.”
Other funded projects include Pure Life Carbon receiving $2 million to upgrade and expand an existing manufacturing facility that will increase production of its proprietary soil alternative products used in agricultural applications, as well as over $1M for the provincially operated Alberta Bio Processing Innovation Centre and the Alberta Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator to purchase and install new equipment for small businesses to utilize.
“Funding the last piece of automation and supporting expansion of our first manufacturing facility in Alberta has positioned Pure Life Carbon to now respond to more orders, from all corners of the globe,” says Ryan Rand, chief executive of Pure Life. “Supporting our company has had a significant impact in the controlled environment agriculture space, where replacing peat moss directly is reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well as water usage, while increasing food production.”
Projects receiving this round of funding will have “significant environmental and economic benefits across the province and its strong agricultural sector,” according to the government, including supporting more than 800 jobs.
“I’m so pleased that our government is supporting this vitally important industry,” stated Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, “and I have no doubt these projects will keep the momentum going in Alberta’s innovative value-added agriculture sector.”
“Alberta has gained a global reputation as a leader in developing innovative and forward-thinking applications for a variety of sectors and industries,” added George Chahal, a member of parliament for Calgary-Skyview. “Today’s 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.”
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