The Connected Community Grant helps bring people together by supporting local programs, events, and projects that strengthen community connections and enhances quality of life for County of Grande Prairie residents.

To qualify, applicants must:

• Describe any municipal funding or in-kind support they receive
• Explain how County residents benefit from their organization, programs, or facilities
• Demonstrate the event is open and accessible to County residents

Organizations located in municipalities that have an Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) agreement with the County of Grande Prairie must first apply for funding through their own municipality before applying to the County.

The Connected Community Grant has three application categories.

Community Vibrancy and Wellness

• Level 1 – Up to $1,000 for beautification initiatives within the hamlet or rural subdivision of the applicant
• Level 2 – Up to $1,500 for neighbourhood ice surfaces, community gardens, and safety and wellness programs impacting less than 300 people
• Level 3 – Up to $5,000 awarded by Council for Rural Crime Watch initiatives; upgrades to infrastructure that can be moved, removed, or replaced easily; and safety and wellness initiatives that impact more than 300 people

 Sponsorships, Donations and Community Support Requests

Funding can be requested to support events, programs, and other organizational needs; however, organizations that fundraise primarily to distribute funds to other organizations are not eligible

There are six funding levels:

• Level 1 – requests less than $500 for dry grad support and similar initiatives where funding depends on County resident participation
• Level 2 – requests less than $1,500 for events like agricultural fairs, community fundraisers, single-day festivals, and dine & dances with less than 300 attendees
• Level 3 – requests less than $5,000 for larger events where attendance is less than 1,000 attendees, or hosting provincial/national competitions with less than $100,000 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) impact

The following levels require a Council presentation:

• Level 4 – requests less than $7,500 for events with more than 1,000 attendees, multi-day cultural events, or hosting provincial/national competitions with more than $101,000 GDP impact
• Level 5 – between $7,501 and $10,000 for large-scale events funded through the Community Grants Reserve where attendance could exceed 7,500 people for a multi-day event
• Level 6 – more than $10,000 for large-scale multi-day events such as folk festivals, community milestone anniversaries, and pro-rodeos

Application deadlines:

March 1 - for events that occur between April 1 and June 30

June 1- for events that occur between July 1 and September 30

September 1- for events that occur between October 2 and December 31

December 1 - for events that occur between January 1 and March 31

Emergent Operating Funding Requests

If an emergency occurs, your organization could qualify for funding support from the County. Applicants must be able to defend why their situation is emergent.

An emergent situation is an event or outcome that was unexpected and requires immediate attention. Examples can include:

• Natural disasters
• Critical infrastructure failures
• Sudden loss of major funding

Objective

The Business Retention and Expansion Grant helps local small and medium-sized businesses grow, innovate, and succeed. By supporting projects that address infrastructure and technology gaps, the program strengthens our local economy, creates jobs, and fosters a thriving business community. Designed to be flexible and responsive, this grant adapts to the evolving needs of businesses across the County.

Eligibility

Meet the definition of applicant small and medium businesses.  Businesses located within the County and pay County commercial or industrial taxes.  Applicant must not be in arrears or have amounts owing with regards to property tax, utilities, or other fees or amounts owed to the County or going through foreclosure.  Businesses that have been in operation for a minimum of one (1) year prior to the grant parameters. Additional eligibility requirements may be required as stated in the Business Retention and Expansion - Infrastructure Technology Grant Program and supporting guidelines.

Funding

Funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis until grant funds have been depleted, or the one-year grant timeline has expired, whichever comes first.

A grant matching 50% of project costs will be allocated up to a maximum of $2,000 per applicant per year.

Application Requirements

Applicants must complete the formal application, with all required supporting documents as follows:

• Completed application form
• Two (2) quotes provided based on same scope of work

Applications shall be reviewed by the County Manager or Program Coordinator as they are received.

The Program Coordinator reserves the right to accept, reject or ask for modifications to any information and render decisions in regard to complete applications as approvals, approvals with conditions, and refusals.

All decisions made by the Program Coordinator regarding whether to approve or reject an application are final and cannot be appealed.

Reporting

Grant recipients are required to submit a copy of the paid invoice for reimbursement or jeopardize the grant allocation. Failure to submit legitimate reimbursements and/or be considered for any future programs offered by the County.  Upon acceptance that the invoice cannot be submitted within six (6) months must contact the Program Coordinator, the applicant must apply in writing to request an extension. Extensions will be approved or declined by the Program Coordinator. Failure to complete the project in a timely manner may result in cancellation of the agreement at the discretion of the County of Grande Prairie.

Program Goals

The Business Incentives Program is designed to:

• Attract new industrial and commercial investment
• Support high-impact capital projects
• Reduce barriers to development through tax-based tools
• Align with provincial priorities and funding programs
• Increase the County’s competitiveness for site selection and expansion decisions

Incentive Streams

1. Sector-Based Tax Exemption  For large-scale industrial projects in eligible sectors:

• Available to businesses participating in provincial programs like:

           Alberta Petrochemicals Incentive Program (APIP)

           Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit

           Alberta Carbon Capture Incentive Program

• Applies to projects over $10 million (agriculture or CCUS) or $50 million (energy)
• Provides an exemption on non-residential and/or machinery and equipment (M&E) property tax
• Based on a 2.5% credit equivalent
• Structured as a declining balance exemption, offering up to 80% per year, for up to 10 years

2. Infrastructure Incentive  For developments with significant capital costs that require County infrastructure upgrades:

• Applies to projects over $5 million that do not qualify for the sector-based exemption
• Covers up to 25% of eligible infrastructure costs (e.g., road construction, water/sewer extensions)
• Delivered as a property tax reduction over five years

Eligibility

To qualify, businesses must:

• Be located within the County of Grande Prairie No. 1
• Receive all necessary development approvals
• Be in good standing with taxes and County regulations
• Meet minimum investment thresholds and employment criteria

All successful applicants will enter into a formal Tax Incentive Agreement with the County, outlining terms, timelines, and reporting requirements.

How Do I Apply?

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

• Eligible Sector Incentive (2.5%) 
  • Provincial funding agreement (showing approval)
  • County development permit
  • County development agreement (if required)

      

• Infrastructure Incentive 
  • County development permit
  • County development agreement (if required)
  • Proof of payment for completed infrastructure (receipts, invoices, etc.)

      

Step 2: Complete the Online Application

• Fill out the fillable application form below.
• Attach all required documents.

Step 3: County Review & Council Approval

• County administration reviews your application.
• All decisions are taken to Council for approval.
• If approved, you’ll enter a Tax Incentive Agreement with the County

Useful Links

Provincial Tax Incentive Programs

• Alberta Petrochemicals Incentive Program (APIP): https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-petrochemicals-incentive-program.aspx Program Guidelines PDF [Alberta Pe...Guideline]
• Alberta Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit (APITC): Program Overview & Application Program Guidelines PDF [Agri-proce...Tax Credit], [Agri-proce...Alberta.ca]
• Alberta Carbon Capture Incentive Program (ACCIP): Invest Alberta News Program Guide [New Albert...st Alberta], [Alberta Ca...Guide 2025]

County Development Permit Process

• Development Permits | County of Grande Prairie [Developmen...de Prairie]
• Building and Planning Permits | County of Grande Prairie [Building a...de Prairie]

FAQs Q: Who can apply for the 2.5% incentive? A: Businesses with new construction or expansion projects that have been approved for a provincial incentive program.

Q: What counts as “proof of payment” for infrastructure? A: Receipts, invoices, or other documentation showing payment for eligible infrastructure costs.

Q: When should I apply? A: Before any development begins. Applications received after construction starts may not be eligible.

Q: How long does the incentive last? A: The 2.5% incentive can apply for up to 10 years, not exceeding 15 years from approval. The infrastructure incentive is applied over five years.

Q: Who decides if my application is approved? A: All applications are reviewed by County administration and then taken to Council for final approval.

Q: Where can I get help or more information? A: Contact the County Administration Building at 780-532-9722 or email our Economic Development team at ecdev@countygp.ab.ca