Local Growth and Sustainability Grant

Local governments with over 10,000 and fewer than 200,000 people were able to apply for infrastructure funding to address growth pressures and attract industrial projects.

Important dates

Applications are no longer being accepted under the program.

Overview

The Local Growth and Sustainability Grant (LGSG) supports local governments by funding infrastructure that:

  • addresses growth pressures
  • attracts economic development opportunities
  • addresses unique or emergent needs in their communities

Growth component

The majority of this funding is provided through the growth component. This component is used to build infrastructure that:

  • helps address challenges as a result of rapid population growth
  • increases affordable and attainable housing supply
  • attracts commercial/industrial developments that would lead to permanent jobs in the community
  • helps address challenges as a result of increased tourism

The growth component is a competitive grant with applications scored. Funding is given to projects that most closely achieve program outcomes. The program had a single intake window in Fall 2024.

While the majority of LGSG funding is provided through the growth component, some funding is being used to help address infrastructure emergencies that threaten residents’ health and safety in small communities.

Funding

LGSG funding was $20 million in 2024-25. 

To have been eligible for growth component funding, a project must have had a minimum cost of $1 million. There was no maximum project cost.

The growth component was cost-shared, meaning local governments with successful applications must have contributed at least 50% of the costs of the project using other revenues. Successful applicants could apply up to 30% of project costs from other provincial grant programs (“grant stacking”) such as the Local Government Fiscal Framework Capital program and the Canada Community-Building Fund.

Eligibility

Only local governments with a 2023 population between 10,000 and 200,000 (according to the Alberta government’s population estimates) were eligible to apply for growth component funding. Two or more local governments could partner to submit an application for an infrastructure project that would benefit both of their communities, as long as one of the local governments has at least 10,000 people.

Local governments could not submit more than one application.

How to apply

Applications are no longer being accepted under the program.

After you apply

The intake window closed on November 29, 2024.

Applications will be evaluated by Municipal Affairs and reviewed by the Minister for project selection and approval. Successful projects will be announced in early 2025.

Reporting

Local governments receiving LGSG funding must provide the department with annual financial reporting for each year of the project, along with mid-year progress reporting. They must also report on project outcomes after the project is completed.

See the program guidelines for information on reporting.

Contact

Connect with the LGSG program:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-422-7125
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: ma.lgsg@gov.ab.ca