News Releases
RADF Legacy Report
In 2006, Albertans took a big risk. Our government set aside $100 million in non-renewable resource revenue to create something that might last forever: a culture of imagination in rural Alberta. Our challenge to Albertans was to show us how ideas can become tangible projects that can change a village, a town, a province. And they responded as Albertans usually do, with imagination and entrepreneurial spirit.
RADF Now Closed
Thank you rural Alberta!! Your “big sky” thinking, your passion for economic development in our province’s rural communities and your commitment to turning smart and sustainable ideas into projects that will have a lasting impact on rural Alberta have made RADF and more importantly, the projects it funded, a huge success!
Showcase News
Below is the Agenda for the day. RSVP now to attend this RADF Spring Showcase event!
Reports From The Field: Stories From Rural Alberta’s Big Sky Thinkers!
On April 19, 2013, Rural Alberta Development Fund will host its 2013 Spring Showcase event.
This will be a day of celebration as we highlight the successes and learnings of our projects. Several of our proponents are excited to share their stories and their project intelligence to a greater audience. Learn first-hand from Alberta’s very own Big Sky Thinkers on how they developed and nurtured innovative solutions to complex issues facing their rural communities. See how projects become sustainable while transferring that knowledge to neighboring communities.
Alberta to host multi-day international cycling race and festival
Edmonton, AB – The Rural Alberta Development Fund (RADF) Board of Directors has approved $3.5 million in catalyst funding to the Alberta Peloton Association (APA) to support the inaugural Tour of Alberta: Alberta’s Pro Cycling Festival to be held from September 3-8, 2013. The race, modeled on such international events as the Tour de France, will bring Albertans and international visitors to rural communities that rarely see, let alone host, world-class events in their streets. The Tour of Alberta supports provincial priorities around rural and economic development, tourism, health and wellness, and culture.
Food Processing Facility Set to Diversify Local Economies
Edmonton, AB – The Rural Alberta Development Fund Board of Directors approved $950,000 in funding towards a regional food processing and food sciences training facility in northeast Alberta. The Food Processing/Food Sciences Training Facility project, led by Portage College St. Paul Campus, will provide an innovative teaching and processing facility that will help establish a local food industry in the region while becoming a preferred food sciences training institution in Alberta.
New Project Focuses on Directing Capital to Local Businesses
Edmonton, AB – The Rural Alberta Development Fund Board of Directors approved more than $1.2 million in funding towards a pilot project aimed at empowering communities to invest locally, direct their own economic development and reduce dependency on government supports.
New Project Examines Aging Solutions for Rural Seniors
Edmonton, AB – Rural Alberta Development Fund Board of Directors approved $725,000 in funding towards a collaborative community-driven initiative aimed at engaging rural seniors and their communities in designing and implementing rural aging solutions for essential services such as housing and advanced care needs.
Agricultural Program Takes Root in Northern Alberta
Edmonton, AB – Rural Alberta Development Fund Board of Directors approved $900,000 in funding towards an agricultural education program aimed at providing students with entrepreneurial, leadership and business management skills.
New Project Focuses on Cultural, Traditional and Historical Ecotourism
Edmonton, AB – Rural Alberta Development Fund Board of Directors approved $1.1 million in funding towards creating an experiential ecotourism experience in Alberta’s Willmore Wilderness Park, located southwest of Grande Cache.
STARS Academy Graduates Take Flight
Edmonton, AB – Rural Alberta Development Fund applauds the success of the STARS Critical Care and Transport Medicine Academy, whose fall 2011 class graduates on December 8.
New Project Opens Doors for Rural Adult Learning Opportunities
Edmonton, AB – Rural Alberta Development Fund Board of Directors approved $3.2 million in funding supporting a collaborative delivery model aimed at increasing access to quality learning for rural learners.
Aboriginal Leadership Shares Best Practices in Rural Alberta
Banff, AB – The Rural Alberta Development Fund proudly supports another successful project, the Best Practices in Rural Alberta Project: Nexen Chair in Aboriginal Leadership.
Renewal, Recruitment and Retention Strategy Targets Alberta’s Rural Water and Wastewater Capacity
Edmonton, AB – Rural Alberta Development Fund Board of Directors approved $2.4 million in funding towards a $3.25 million province-wide succession, training and community capacity initiative to attract and retain qualified water and wastewater operators.
Open Door Association Waves Checkered Flag for Youth Beds
Camrose, AB – One of the Rural Alberta Development Fund’s successful funding recipients, the Camrose Open Door Association, plays host to its Sixth Annual Bed Race on October 29. Held at the Camrose Regional Exhibition Centre, participants will race beds in support of rural at-risk youth.
Changes to RADF Board of Directors
Edmonton, AB – As the seasons change, so does the face of the Rural Alberta Development Fund. Following Jann Beeston’s voluntary resignation from the Board of Directors, longtime Board Member, Marie Logan, has been elected as Board Chair.
Rural Science Network Ignites Passion for Science and Technology
Edmonton, AB – The Rural Alberta Development Fund Board of Directors has approved $900,000 in funding to create the Rural Youth Science Network, aimed at engaging youth in science and technology through an innovative face-to-face and social media program.
New Project Offers Holistic Approach to Learning
Edmonton, AB – Rural Alberta Development Fund Board of Directors has approved more than $1.6 million in funding to implement a unique economic social enterprise program aimed at helping Aboriginal youth address issues of chronic unemployment, insufficient housing, substance abuse and overall well-being.
Funding Opens Door for Emerging Rural Agri-entrepreneurs
Edmonton, AB – Rural Alberta Development Fund Board of Directors has approved more than $2.9 million in funding for a province-wide initiative aimed at creating opportunities for rural and agricultural communities to connect, collaborate and learn.
Innovative Project Boosts High School Completion Rates
Edmonton, AB- The Rural Alberta Development Fund is proud to showcase the third Small Town, Big Sky case study with the Mobile Trades Foundation Program.
Central Alberta Sets Sights on Foreign Investment Attraction
Edmonton, AB – A new project led by Red Deer County aims to boost local business expansion and foreign direct investment in central Alberta rural communities. Rural Alberta Development Fund Board of Directors has approved $1,172,050 in funding for the regional economic development project called Turning the Keys on Opportunity.
Funding to Boost Alberta’s Beekeeping Industry
Edmonton, AB - Rural Alberta Development Fund Board of Directors has approved $925,360 in funding for a new centre designed to become a one-stop shop for all bee diagnostic services required by beekeepers, government departments and researchers from across the country.
Small Town, Big Sky Series Profiles Canada’s Top Entrepreneurial Region
Edmonton, AB - The Rural Alberta Development Fund proudly promotes the success of rural projects with the release of a second case study, focused on the explosion of innovation in the Peace Region thanks to the successful contributions of Grande Prairie’s Centre for Research & Innovation (CRI).
Two New Members Appointed to Board of Directors
Rural Alberta Development Fund’s Board of Directors has filled two vacancies on the Board of Directors with the appointment of two new members: David Bodnarchuk of Edmonton and Doug Gardner of High River.
Small Town, Big Sky Series Profiles Innovative Communities
Rural Alberta Development Fund is launching a new series of case studies, Small Town, Big Sky, to tell the inspiring stories of innovative rural communities and the people who call them home.
Big Sky Summit Inspires New Wave of Ideas
Edmonton, AB –The Big Sky Summit asked the question “How Big is Your Sky?” to more than 400 Albertans at the Shaw conference centre on April 4.
Passion for Rural Alberta Celebrated at Big Sky Summit
March 24, 2011 - The passion, innovation and ingenuity that personifies rural Alberta will converge in Edmonton on April 4 at the Shaw Conference Centre for the Big Sky Summit.
$1.5 million to Support Well-Being and Health of Treaty 8 Families
March 3, 2011 - Rural Alberta Development Fund Board of Directors has approved funding for the Family Service Delivery Framework Implementation, which will enable Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta to implement and test their Children’s Agenda Framework.
New Project Builds on Economic Strength for Future Success
February 15, 2011 - Rural Alberta Development Fund Board of Directors has approved $848,600 in funding to support the development of business clusters in rural areas.
Longtime Board Member Elected to Position of Chair
February 9, 2011 - Rural Alberta Development Fund Board of Directors has elected board member Jann Beeston to the role of Board Chair.
Register Now for Big Sky Summit
January 31, 2011 - Registration is now open for Big Sky Summit.
Changes to Board of Directors Announced
January 31, 2011 - In the spirit of good governance and continued impartiality, Rural Alberta Development Fund is announcing the voluntary resignation of Mr. Glenn Taylor as Chair of the Board.
How Big is Your Sky?
December 31, 2010 - We’re hosting a powerful one-day event on April 4, called Big Sky Summit.
RADF Funding targets young farmers and agri-businesses
December 7, 2010 - The Board of Directors of Rural Alberta’s Development Fund has approved $970,000 in funding for a new project aimed at providing learning and networking opportunities to young farmers
RADF Funded Project Receives Top Award
November 17, 2010 - The 2010 Minister’s Awards for Municipal Excellence were handed out at this week’s AAMD&C Fall Convention.
Close Remains Focused on Rural Economic Development
October 26, 2010 - Longtime RADF board member Jon Close recently announced that he would be leaving the organization in order to dedicate more time to his role as Executive Director of Community Futures Alberta.
RADF 2009-2010 Annual Report
September 28, 2010 - RADF’s contractual obligations with the Government of Alberta includereporting on a set of performance and outcome measures.
Another $30 Million in Funding to be Committed by March 2012
August 6, 2010 - Rural Alberta’s Development Fund (RADF) will invest another $30 million in rural Alberta communities over the next 18 months.
RADF Invests Another $5.3M in Rural Projects
May 5, 2010 - Rural Alberta’s Development Fund (RADF) announced today that it has invested another $5.3M in seven new rural projects ranging from volunteerism to business development.
RADF’s Eva Urlacher takes on new challenge
April 23, 2010 - Long time RADF board member, Cold Lake’s Eva Urlacher, is adding to her already vast experience in community building and volunteerism by joining Northern Alberta Development Council.
RADF Welcomes New CEO James Gibbins Aboard
April 19, 2010 - Rural Alberta’s Development Fund welcomed a new team member to the organization at the beginning of April as James Gibbins took on the role of Chief Executive Officer.
Managing Director Terry Keyko Begins New Chapter
March 1, 2010 - Rural Alberta’s Development Fund Board of Directors and Staff would like to wish former Managing Director Terry Keyko the best of luck as he moves into his new position with Horse Racing Alberta as their new Chief Operating Officer.
RADF to hire new CEO in 2010
December 23, 2009 - Recently RADF’s CEO and Managing Director Terry Keyko announced he would be returning to the Government of Alberta in 2010.
2009 RADF Project Showcase Afternoon Breakout Sessions Summary
December 22, 2009 - On November 25, 2009, Rural Alberta’s Development Fund (RADF) held a full day conference at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton.
Community Capacity, Education and Healthcare a Concern for Rural Albertans
December 10, 2009 - According to a recent survey commissioned by Rural Alberta’s Development Fund many rural Albertans, especially those in the province’s northern communities, feel they are at a disadvantage in key areas such as community capacity and access to education and healthcare when compared to their urban and southern neighbours.
RADF Board Member Jann Beeston honoured at 2009 Stars of Alberta Awards
December 7, 2009 - Rural Alberta’s Development Fund board member Jann Beeston was one of eight Albertans honoured for their contributions to their communities as part of the 2009 Stars of Alberta Awards.
RADF To Add Service Program
November 25, 2009 - Rural Alberta’s Development Fund (RADF) is making significant organizational changes so it can do more to help rural communities build the capacity and leaders they need to thrive.
Bob Clark’s Blog on Change
November 25, 2009 - Today’s a really exciting day for the RADF Board because we get to share with you some details of what we have been planning for months.
Future plans and moratorium news revealed on November 25
November 11, 2009 - RADF will be sharing more details concerning its future plans and the Expressions of Interest moratorium at its 2009 RADF Project Showcase event in Edmonton.