The Government of Alberta has resolved to invest in job creation, economic diversification, renewable energy, small businesses and support for Alberta families. The innovative tools of community economic development (CED) can amplify these initiatives through micro lending, social finance, skills training, cooperatives, social enterprise, small business development and other strategies. Momentum is committed to working with the provincial government on strengthening economic development through CED strategies.
Community economic development can accelerate and strengthen the provincial strategy for economic development and diversification, while improving the quality of life for all Albertans.
Download Building a diverse and inclusive local economy
WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT DOING ALREADY?
The Government of Alberta is uniquely poised to support CED in our province and is already doing so in many ways. We applaud the following examples:
- Training for Work programs by Human Services, for Albertans with barriers to employment.
- Alberta-based Immigrant Access Fund, a micro loans program for skilled immigrants to access the licensing and/or training required to work in their field in Canada.
- The Small Business Strategy that emphasizes stream-lined access to government resources for small business.
- Raising the minimum wage.
HOW MIGHT WE DO MORE CED?
The following examples of CED strategies are complimentary to the provincial strategy for economic development, diversification and job growth. Some have existing precedent and evidence, and others are innovative.
For all of these examples, local experts, businesses and organizations are already mobilizing to do this work. They now require collaboration and support from the government.
WHO IS MOMENTUM?
Momentum is a leader in CED in Alberta. Established in 1991, Momentum offers programs in small business development, microloans, employment training, financial literacy and asset building programs. Over 38,000 Albertans have begun to build a sustainable livelihood through Momentum’s programs with a social return on investment of over $3 for $1 invested.
