Important dates
Application deadline: November 29, 2024
Overview
The Local Growth and Sustainability Grant (LGSG) was announced in Budget 2024 to support 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 can be 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 has a single intake window in Fall 2024, with payments made over 3 years.
While the majority of LGSG funding will be provided through the growth component, some funding will be used to help address infrastructure emergencies that threaten residents’ health and safety in small communities.
Funding
LGSG funding is $60 million over 3 years. Local governments with successful growth applications will receive payments in each of the 3 years of the program (2024-25, 2025-26 and 2026-27).
To be eligible for growth component funding, a project must have a minimum cost of $1 million. There is no maximum project cost.
The growth component is cost-shared, meaning local governments with successful applications must contribute at least 50% of the costs of the project using other revenues. Successful applicants can 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) are eligible to apply for growth component funding. Two or more local governments can 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 cannot submit more than one application.
How to apply
Eligible local governments that want to apply should read the LGSG Program Guidelines to ensure their projects are eligible and meet the screening criteria.
After you apply
The intake window closes on November 29.
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: [email protected]