Business Opportunity Grant

Business Opportunity Grant, a Growing Forward initiative designed for your farm business to consider or implement a new business direction to meeting changing market and consumer demands.

Program Description

The Business Opportunity Grant Program is designed to provide assistance in accessing one-to-one business management knowledge and expertise that will contribute to helping the agriculture industry adapt to meet changing market and consumer demands.

It is aimed at farm businesses looking to transform their operation or new farmers starting an operation and seeking the services of outside expertise to assess feasibility or opportunity, research markets and build business plans that contribute to the success of a new business venture or new business direction.

Program Eligibility

The Program is targeted at Alberta’s primary agriculture producers, producer groups and new entrants to the industry who are adapting their business to meet changing market and consumer demands.

Contracting services that contribute to making informed and calculated business decisions to take a new business direction may be supported. Examples of the activities that funding may be used for are:

Opportunity assessment
Market research
Business management consulting or coaching for new endeavors or new markets
Business and marketing plans for new endeavors or new markets
Business structures and the legal and financial expenses associated with formation of new and unique business models in the agri-based industry

All activities must be complete by February 1, 2013.

Available Funding

The Program provides grants on a cost-shared, reimbursement basis to cover eligible expenses for eligible activities up to a maximum of $30,000 per applicant. Eligible expenses may be cost shared at 75% grant and 25% applicant.

How to Apply

Contact an Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development New Venture Coach through the Ag-Info Centre at 310-FARM(3276) to start your application. You must submit a complete application and proposal before completing activities eligible for reimbursement.

Please click here to access the Business Opportunity Grant Producer and New Entrant Application Form.

Please click here to access the Business Opportunity Grant Producer Group Application Form.

Please click here to access the Business Opportunity Grant Terms and Conditions. End.