Vegreville, Alberta

Local Grants and Incentives

Supports bio-economy development with specialized services and access to state-of-the-art equipment. The Bio Processing Innovation Centre (BPIC) – operated by BIOS – is a 10,000 ft2 pilot facility providing essential product development and scale-up support to the growing bioeconomy. BPIC offers a suite of facilities, equipment and expertise to help companies succeed. The assets are uniquely positioned between lab and pilot-scale production, giving companies the ability to test and improve their proof-of-concept ideas and processes before committing to full production.

The Agri-food and Bioindustrial Innovation program aims to support the development of technologies that provide solutions to the challenges faced by the agri-food and bioindustrial sectors in Alberta. The Program provides support for up to $500,000 per project and up to 75% of total project costs, with remaining funding (cash or in-kind) from the Applicant, project partners, or other funding agencies.

The Emerging Opportunities Grant Program supports the Government of Alberta’s strategic objectives related to growth and development of Alberta’s value-added agriculture sector. The program supports projects that focus on innovation and result in significant company growth and sector impact. Projects can include new technologies, best new practises, significant capacity expansions and new builds. There is limited funding in the program. Projects conducted by agriculture and bio-industrial processors must have a minimum total project investment of $2 million. Maximum grant funding provided by this program is $1,000,000 per fiscal year, to a project maximum of $2,000,000.

In order to stimulate investment in the County of Minburn, the Non-Residential Tax Incentive Program offers a tax exemption for up to three years to qualified properties. The tax exemption applies to new commercial and/or industrial developments or refurbishments to existing commercial and/or industrial properties.

• Machinery & Equipment Tax Exemption: This Machinery & Equipment Tax Exemption bylaw allows Vegreville businesses, both present and future, that are or would be, taxed on machinery and equipment by the municipality to apply for an automatic exemption of that tax, guaranteed for the next fifteen years.
• Small Business Tax Rate: Properties eligible for the small business sub-class are those, other than designated industrial properties, that are owned or leased by a business who: A) Operate under a valid business license or have proof of an approved business licence exemption from the Town of Vegreville; B) Employ fewer than 50 full-time employees within Canada as of November 30 of the preceding tax year; and C) Generate active business income from its operations.
• Non-Residential Development Incentive Program: This program promotes the expansion, renovation, and construction of new development of non-residential property in Vegreville by allowing a one-time tax cancellation of up to $25,000 per qualified development. Potential eligibility for additions/expansions for commercial or industrial (non-residential) projects, including demolition for new construction purposes. Qualification is based on an increase in the assessed value of $50,000 or more (excludes land assessment).
• Local Business Signage Incentive: The Local Business Signage Incentive provides all businesses in Vegreville, excluding home-based businesses, that add, improve, or enhance permanent frontage signage affixed to their location an opportunity to apply for a $2,000 grant from the Town of Vegreville.