Deron Bilous, minister of economic development and trade, joined NDP MLA Cam Westhead and town officials to present a number of grants benefiting Cochrane and area through the Community and Regional Economic Support (CARES) program Friday.
“Entrepreneurs and small businesses are really the backbone of the Alberta economy … 95 per cent of all businesses are small businesses,” said Bilous, adding that there were more than 60 successful applicants to the first round of the CARES grant program. Round two applications open next week.
“Projects like the (CARES) program are really designed to partner with communities.”
In addition to an announcement of $109,887 to Community Futures Network of Alberta’s What If project, aimed at helping entrepreneurs turn their dreams into businesses, a few Cochrane and area agencies came out a little richer.
Cochrane’s town currency initiative, Cochrane Dollars, received a boost of $16,534 from the ministry and a nod from the minister for the potential tourism boost the currency could have. The funds will cover the costs of the initial print run of the town’s currency, to be launched in May.
“This is what makes the CARES program so unique: it’s not the government of Alberta telling communities this is what you need to do to diversify your economy. It’s the community saying these are the initiatives we want to undertake,” said Bilous.
The Cochrane rural small business centre, Community Futures Centre West, received $50,000 for its 2017 NEXT Step Business Growth Conference.
The Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane & Area was presented $125,000 for its Camp Adventure facility renovations.
The Greater Bragg Creek Trail Association received $62,500 for its West Bragg Creek system trail development.
The Calgary Korean Art Club also received $10,000 for its Canada 150 performances.
Round two of CARES funding applications will take place April 1 to May 31.
Proud Canadian
Perhaps the most delighted face at the RancheHouse last Friday was a woman who loves Canada so much. She sports the attire to prove it by pinning it on her shirt and donning a maple leaf ring on her right ring finger.
Monica Kim attended the province’s grant announcements to show her support for the Calgary Korean Art Club, who received $10,000 to go toward its Canada 150 performances, to honour the country’s milestone birthday.
The 75-year-old woman told the Eagle that she immigrated to Canada from Seoul in 1976 and was the first Korean female photojournalist. She covered the Vietnam War twice between the late 1960s and early 1970s and worked for the Korean Broadcasting System.
Kim said covering the war was “very dangerous” and that being the only woman in what was at the time a male-only profession was difficult.
“I was proud, but I was very lonesome.”
Anna Ko, president of the cultural club, said the group is very proud of Kim and her accomplishments.
The Calgary Korean Art Club’s next Canada 150 performances will take place on Canada Day in Calgary.
